Cairns Regional Council moves to hike up parking fines by 30 per cent

Residents could make submissions on Cairns Regional Council’s plan to hike parking fines up by 30 per cent – off the back of budget increases – but the problem was nobody knew about it.

After the appearance of the parking meter fairy on Cairns Streets, there have been renewed calls to introduce a formal group to top up parking tickets and avoid fines. Josephine Tuah pays for parking along Grafton Street before getting lunch at a cafe. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns leaders say council’s move to increase parking fines by 30 per cent is simply revenue-raising and out of touch with the CBD.

Cairns Regional Council raked in more than $10m in parking fees and fines last financial year, and is now hiking fines up by a further 30 per cent.

Parking fees went up by 10 cents to $2.20 per hour, meaning those who work in the CBD pay $17.60 for eight hours of on street parking.

Fines went up from $66 to $71.

Commercial Real Estate Property managing director Danny Betros said it was outrageous.

“Increasing the penalty to $92.30 is just so typically out of touch and quite outrageous from policy makers and all it does is encourage people to go to shopping centres and avoid CBD cafes, restaurants and other events,” Mr Betros said.

After the appearance of the parking meter fairy on Cairns Streets, there have been renewed calls to introduce a formal group to top up parking tickets and avoid fines. Josephine Tuah pays for parking along Grafton Street before getting lunch at a cafe. Picture: Brendan Radke

“This is a massive disincentive to come to the CBD and just puts more obstacles to the CBD revival.

“I fail to understand where such a policy comes from and who would think that this is in any way a step forward to making the CBD more attractive to come to.

“I got stung last week for being three minutes late outside a takeaway having lunch in Grafton St, a $74 fine, I nearly fell over.

“Saying that if you do the right thing and pay for parking there will be no fine just doesn’t cut it with me, as there are circumstances when you just run late for a multitude of reasons.”

Mr Betros said at a recent function, elderly guests were more concerned that they put enough money in the meter then they were with the meal and company.

“It is absolutely nuts,” Mr Betros said.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive Patricia O’Neill added the chamber does not support the increases.

“They (businesses) feel that these increases to not only fines, but more importantly to parking fees will be another nail in the coffin for their businesses,” Ms O’Neill said.

“Council are constantly being asked to implement measures to attract more activity in and around the CBD.

Council last increased fine fees by 15 per cent in 2017. Picture: Brian Cassey

“An increase in the cost of simply driving into the CBD is definitely not a clever way to increase activity during a cost of living crisis however, an easy way to revenue raise.

“Instead of council wielding the big stick on fees and fines, alternatively offer the carrot to the community to come and enjoy the city with free parking every weekend.”

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

A council spokesman said there was a public notification period for the proposed 30 per cent hike, from July 5 to 19.

Council last increased fine fees by 15 per cent in 2017 and a special budget meeting last month was told a review showed council applied lesser penalty units across most offences than other councils.

Cairns resident Eileen Phillips parks her car to attend an appointment on Grafton Street. Picture Emily Barker.

“Options were presented to council on a variety of percentage increases with 30 per cent increase being the recommended option,” the report stated.

“It was determined that any driver that adheres to the regulations would not be impacted and therefore any increase to penalties should further serve as incentive for proactive compliance.”

If the amendment to the infringement notices penalty local law is passed, fines will increase by $21.30, from $71 to a whopping $92.30.

“To address the challenges with city parking, and encourage the use of off-street parking and free up on-street parking, council will reduce the hourly fee at the Lake St carpark to $1.50 an hour – down from $2.10 an hour – capped at $10 per day,” the spokesman said.

A daily rate of $6 will apply at the Grafton St car park.

“The increases that took place on 1 July were as a result of the annual state government increase to the penalty unit value, from $154.80 to $161.30, which applies to all fines across Queensland, including local laws, speeding fines and other traffic offences,” the spokesman said.

Most regulated car parks have fees from 8.30am to 5pm and are free outside those hours:

Southern Esplanade car park – Paid parking hours from 6am to 10pm daily, free outside those hours and public holidays

Lake St parking station – Paid parking from 8.30am to 6pm weekdays, 8.30am to 2pm Saturday, free outside these hours, on Sundays and public holidays

Cairns Performing Arts Centre car park – Car park for patrons only during performances, otherwise 8.30am to 5pm paid parking, free outside these hours and public holidays

Grafton St North car park – Paid parking from 6am to 6pm daily, free outside those hours and public holidays

Hospital Esplanade car park – Paid parking 8.30am to 5pm week days, free outside these hours and public holidays

Hartley St car park – Paid parking hours form 8.30am to 5pm, free outside these hours and public holidays

Bunda St car park – Paid parking hours from 8.30am to 5pm, free outside those hours and public holidays

Skate Park car park – Parking is free but there is a three hour time limit between 8.30am and 5pm weekdays and 8.30am to 11.30am Saturday

Originally published as Cairns Regional Council moves to hike up parking fines by 30 per cent