Brisbane shoppers furious over ‘frustrating’ parking fines

Dozens of shoppers have lashed one of Australia’s biggest carpark companies after they were hit with hefty fines for a “ridiculous” rule.

Furious Brisbane shoppers have lashed Wilson Parking after they were handed fines for a rule they say the company failed to tell them.

The changes implemented by Wilson Parking now requires shoppers at Kelvin Grove Urban Village to enter in their car’s registration and pre-pay at the machine.

The shopping centre still offers two hours free parking but even drivers staying less than that are still required to register their car at the pay station.

Since the rule kicked in, dozens of shoppers attending the Musk Ave car park have been hit with $65 fines leading to a huge backlash online.

“What a ridiculous system! Why wouldn’t you use plate recognition technology that is used everywhere else. No! No! Much better idea to make ppl have to enter their details every time they use it,” Di Johnston wrote on Facebook.

The amnesty period ended earlier this month, leading to the barrage of fines.

The new rules issued by Wilson Parking. Picture: Facebook

A few of the fines issued by Wilson Parking. Picture: Facebook

“Looks like they found a new way to make a lot of profit! Very frustrating,” Anil Tortop added.

Ozan Tortop, who was recently at the shopping centre, joked about the “clear signage” displayed.

“Come on, they stated the rules by writing with a chalk on a wall clearly. How can you miss that? (Insert sarcasm here),” they wrote.

“So we ended up with paying $65 for half an hour parking, like tens of other people. We are talking with Fair Trading right now. Looks like it’s a new and dirty way of making profit. Not happy at all! We will never use that car park and the shopping centre again.”

Ozan Tortop said the signage wasn’t clear. Picture: Facebook

The carpark has also been lashed on Google Reviews.

“Looked online to check rates as was getting my hair done — reasonable prices — went to pay $10 after parking for 2-3 hours — and couldn’t get the machine to work — rung number and they said you have to pay before you park,” Bianca Fontaine wrote.

“This is not clearly signed and I received a $65 parking ticket six minutes after entering the car park. There was a giant sign next to my car saying ‘2hrs free — private car park — rego detection device in use’ but no where to pay BEFORE you park.

“Absolute entrapment — so annoyed — will NEVER park in Wilson Parking again.”

Wilson Parking was contacted for comment however speaking to City North News, the parking giant’s CEO Steven Evans said few customers had had issues with the rule change.

“In our experience, the vast majority of shoppers use these carparks correctly in accordance with the time frames and conditions displayed at each location,” Mr Evans said.

“In a small number of cases, however, customers who do not adhere to the conditions of entry are issued with breach notices.

“It is important to note that the number of parking breach notices issued annually is a minute proportion of the total number of vehicles that use our sites, and reflects the fact that the vast majority of drivers respect and abide by the conditions of entry.”