Parking times officially changed to 9am to 7pm in Burleigh Heads

Gold Coast City Council has spent more than $10,000 on replacing the old parking stickers in Burleigh Heads after a debacle which a southern councillor admitted was a “mistake”. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Gold Coast City Council has spent more than $10,000 on replacing the old parking stickers in Burleigh Heads after a debacle which a southern councillor admitted was a “mistake”.

Six months ago, the Gold Coast City Council made a decision to change paid parking across the Gold Coast – most controversially in Burleigh Heads – from 9am to 5pm, to 7am to 7pm.

After an uproar from locals across the city, Division 13 councillor Josh Martin and Division 6 councillor Brooke Patterson fought for the times to be pushed back two hours later in the morning.

Division 13 councillor Josh Martin and division 6 councillor Brooke Patterson change over the parking stickers in Burleigh Heads.

On Monday, the two councillors put stickers on the signs signalling their successful change to 9am to 7pm in Burleigh Heads.

Mr Martin addressed the comments made by council CEO Tim Baker originally stating the changes would cost ratepayers roughly $100,000 and take until February to implement.

Mr Martin confirmed council had only spent around $14,000 on the exercise “so far”.

“I think that first estimate was a real high-level estimate, but the actual costs are a lot lower,” he said.

The City will have to replace approximately 400 linear signs and 40 area signs as well as changing metre applications and the parking app.

Mr Martin agreed with residents who said the decision to change the times in July should have gone to community consultation, saving ratepayers thousands.

Division 13 councillor Josh Martin and division 6 councillor Brooke Patterson change over the parking stickers in Burleigh Heads.

“It wasn’t actually a trial, it was a decision of council when that change was made,” he said.

“We made that decision in budget and I – like other councillors including Ms Patterson – were fiercely against not going to consultation without understanding the community feedback on it.

“Council works as a democracy and the decision was made.

“I think it’s really brave and wonderful of council to admit when they got it wrong and adapt and listen to residents and ratepayers.”

Mr Martin said he understood the community would have liked it to be changed back to its original 9am to 5pm.

“The feedback we received was for those morning hours, especially for those who are wanting to be active and get outside,” he said.

“So the 5pm to 7pm will stay (paid). I think if you’re going out for dinner there is less of that demand as people are choosing to use public transport if they are having a couple of drinks.”

Mr Martin said it was “on his Santa wishlist” to have the times be changed over before Christmas in Burleigh Heads, two months ahead of schedule.

Division 13 councillor Josh Martin and division 6 councillor Brooke Patterson change over the parking stickers in Burleigh Heads.

Ms Patterson said she was “delighted” to see the changes also be made near the Aquatic Centre at Broadwater Parklands on Tuesday.

“I was hearing a lot from people who don’t often contact council and petitions from people who don’t commonly do petitions,” she said.

“But that early morning swim is really important to a lot of pensioners in my area.

“So being hit with a parking cost is an impost they couldn’t accept.

“I’m so delighted council has come on board and recognised this doesn’t serve the locals in our community.”

Parking times will also be updated in Bundall on Tuesday and Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach later in the week, weather permitting.

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Originally published as Parking times officially changed to 9am to 7pm in Burleigh Heads