Cairns Regional councillor Matthew Tickner speaks against fine increases, outvoted nine to one

A Cairns councillor says he “fought hard” against the organisation’s proposal to increase parking fines in the city centre.

A Cairns councillor has revealed he “fought hard” against the organisation’s decision to increase parking fines in the CBD by 30 per cent. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Cairns councillor says he “fought hard” against the organisation’s proposal to increase parking fines in the CBD by 30 per cent.

The changes are part of council’s plan to address a series of challenges with city parking.

Division 2 Councillor Matthew Tickner was the only councillor to vote against the move during the special council meeting on June 19, while also noting Cairns had previously held some of the lowest parking fine rates in Queensland.

Mr Tickner said while he respected the council’s vote and accepted it as the way forward, “an increase of parking fees should not be used as something to meet the bottom line”.

“A vote on the increase was passed nine to one, in the chamber at the special budget meeting for 2024/25, me being against,” he said.

The public submissions period on the proposed penalty increases has since closed, and the council will prepare a report which will go to a final vote later this year.

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

After his election into council this year, Mr Tickner said he had campaigned with a strong focus opposing the rise of fines.

“This was something I committed to during my campaign and believe in strongly,” he said.

If the amendment to the infringement notices penalty local law is passed, parking fines will increase by $21.30, from $71 to $92.30, in previous years parking fines increased from $66 to $71 when the State government increase fines.

Mr Tickner said a balance needed to be struck between “price gouging” and an “adequate deterrent” to parking violators.

“We need to maintain the line between adequate deterrents and money gouging and I feel we are breaching that with another rise,” he said.

Mr Tickner also said fine increases could “significantly” impact residents’ monthly budget if they unwittingly went over their parking allowance, which in turn could have a flow on effect to the quality of time spent in the CBD.

“If you are out for a bite to eat, in a business meeting or sitting in the emergency room at the hospital, the first thing on your mind shouldn’t be whether you’ll get a fine that could send your finances into a tailspin,” he said.

There are changes council are implementing to off-street parking options, such as reducing parking costs at Lake Street car park.

On street parking fees are $2.20 per hour, meaning those who work in the CBD could pay up to $17.60 for eight hours of on street parking. Picture: Brendan Radke

Casual parking at the popular multi-storey car park has been decreased to $1.50 per hour with a daily rate remaining at $10 per day, while the Grafton Street car park has a new daily fee of $6.

Mr Tickner said while parking fines had their place as a deterrent to ensure parking times are adhered too along with facilitating adequate turnover, the lack of public transport options didn’t give commuters “many choices”.

“We have poor public transport links, there really isn’t another option,” he said.

“When you don’t have that option, you’ve got to come into the CBD and pay for parking.”

Mr Tickner said with reduced options for commuters, increasing parking fines would change the “mentality” of people coming to the city.

“I will continue to fight this issue in my capacity and ensure all avenues of which we raise revenue as a council are fair and balanced,” he said.

Originally published as Cairns Regional councillor Matthew Tickner speaks against fine increases, outvoted nine to one