Council defends park safety after car damaged

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council has defended the safety of its car parks after a young woman's brand new car was damaged near Grand Central.

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council has defended the safety of its car parks after a young woman's new car was damaged near Grand Central.

Jenna Maree Zorzi finished work recently to find her three-week-old Mazda CX3 had been stomped on, causing extensive damage.

The car had been parked in the Station St car park near Grand Central on a Thursday night.

The 24-year-old found a large dent on the roof of the car and scratches down the side.

Small footprints on the roof of her car indicated to her the damage may have been caused by a gang of youths often seen in the area.

Ms Zorzi reported the July 23 incident to police but was told there was only one surveillance camera in the car park and that her car was parked in a black spot area.

The camera covers mostly the McDonald's end of the car park.

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The young Grand Central worker said she was worried about safety in the car park.

"Three of us girls walk there often and there are usually about 20 kids who roam the streets where we're walking- I suspect this was caused by one of them," she said.

"What would have happened if someone was raped?"

She called for council to beef up security in that car park.

"It's scary to think there's no surveillance in that area."

Ms Zorzi says it is unlikely the perpetrators will ever be found.

Toowoomba Regional Council Infrastructure Services Committee chair Cr Carol Taylor said Toowoomba had one of the safest CBD precincts in Queensland with its CCTV program celebrating 20 years of operation this year in January.

"Since the inception of the project Toowoomba Regional Council has invested more than $2.5 million in its' City Safe program, which is designed to enhance public safety, deter anti-social behaviour and prevent many threatening situations in the CBD," Cr Taylor said.

"CBD car parks are generally covered by City Safe surveillance, however, even if the cameras are placed properly, there is no assurance the cameras will capture all criminal activity or undesirable actions.

"I am saddened to hear of the incident in the Station St car park and the disregard someone has shown to another person's property," she said. 

A footprint from one of the people who jumped on Ms Zorzi's car.

Cr Taylor said council took on the management of the Station Street car park last year which delivered an additional 190 car parks for the public.

"There are pressures at work in the CBD at the moment in terms of development and council has been working hard to deliver more parking in the inner city," Cr Taylor said.

"The Station St car park is about to be significantly upgraded in terms of useability and safety with work to begin later this month. This will include additional lighting to hopefully make this type of incident more visible," she said.

Cr Taylor said the CCTV system was constantly reviewed and additional and remote cameras were added when deemed necessary.

"When Station St car park comes online we will review the coverage in this area and make adjustments if deemed necessary. The safety of our residents is paramount," she said.

Ms Zorzi's car was damaged in the Station St car park. Picture: Contributed

Originally published as Council defends park safety after car damaged