‘Do the right thing, avoid the sting’: Cairns mayor’s advice following increase to CBD parking fine

A lone councillor has challenged Cairns mayor Amy Eden over a 30 percent hike in CBD parking fines, warning that revenue raised shouldn’t be used to “plug holes” in the council’s budget.

Samuel Davis

2 min read

August 15, 2024 - 5:00AM

The Cairns Post

A Cairns city office worker removes a parking fine from her car after parking for too long in the CBD. Picture: Brendan Radke

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A lone councillor has challenged Cairns mayor Amy Eden over a more than 30 percent hike in CBD parking fines, warning that revenue raised shouldn’t be used to “plug holes” in the council’s budget.

Cairns Regional Council passed an amendment to its penalty laws at an ordinary meeting on Wednesday, meaning ratepayers will now fork out $96 for a parking infringement in the city, up from $71 previously.

Nine councillors voted in favour of the $25 spike, with only Division 2 councillor Matthew Tickner voting against the motion.

Cairns Regional Council’s Division Two councillor Matthew Tickner believes current parking fines are a sufficient deterrent for motorists visiting the CBD. Picture: Brendan Radke

The former Cairns Chamber of Commerce vice president said he supported parking fines but had concerns about the recent increase and its impact on businesses and residents.

“What I don’t agree with is utilising fines to plug holes in budgets,” he said.

“Businesses don’t want an increase in fines. I don’t believe this increase is necessary.

“I believe the current parking fine level we have at the moment is a comfortable deterrent.”

A parking fine issued to a motorist by Cairns Regional Council for parking too long in the city CBD sits on their windshield. Picture: Brendan Radke

Comparing Cairns’ parking fines to elsewhere in Australia failed to recognise the challenges the city’s business owners had experienced post-Covid, Mr Tickner said.

“We’re a regional town,” he said.

“We have a CBD that is struggling and so we really have to look at these things from a different perspective.

“It’s not as simple as saying, ‘Well, in Sydney you wouldn’t be able to get a park near a hospital’. It’s a very different situation.

“I don’t believe this is a deterrence-based decision.”

Cairns Regional Council deputy mayor Brett Olds argued in favour of a parking fine increase at an ordinary meeting on Wednesday. Picture: Brendan Radke

But deputy mayor Brett Olds disagreed, arguing that motorists needed to be held accountable when they fail to adhere to parking laws.

“People have the ability to not get fined,” the Division 9 councillor said.

“There’s a parking app … you can actually get on your phone and the app gives them reminders.

“It’s only those people who are too lazy to do the right thing and if they start doing the right thing, that’s a risk (for the council) that the fines (revenue) will be less this year.

“We don’t want to be the bad guys.”

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden has defended the decision to increase parking fines at an ordinary meeting on Wednesday. Picture: Brendan Radke

In response to Mr Tickner, the mayor said she had spoken to “thousands of people in regards to parking”, adding that the media hasn’t “picked up widely” a reduction in hourly rates at the city’s Lake St car park.

“It was due to go up 10 cents an hour to $2.20 and we took it down to $1.50,” she said.

“It’s capped at 10 hours and after hours that car park is open and free.”

A previous story by the Cairns Post has acknowledged the lowering of prices for parking spots at the CBD’s multi-storey park.

Heavier fines increase patronage in shops, Division 2 councillor Brett Moller said.

“Increased parking turnover from reduced overstays helps support the local economy through greater customer access to local businesses,” Mr Moller said.

Ms Eden said her advice to commuters choosing to visit the CBD was simple.

“Do the right thing and avoid the sting,” she said.

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Commercial Real Estate Property’s managing director Danny Betros both oppose the increases.

The council collected $6.2m in fees and $4m from fines last financial year.