Gold Coast City Council issues parking fines to drivers paying tribute to victims of Wieambilla

Parking fines have been dished out at a police station when drivers were paying tribute to those killed in Monday’s horrific Wieambilla tragedy. See the council’s response

People paying tribute to the police constables executed in Monday’s horror Wieambilla killings have been slapped with parking fines outside a city cop shop.

Coomera Police Station officers told the Bulletin people had come into the station to pay their respects to Constables Matthew Arnold, 26 and Rachel McCrow, 29 – who were gunned down in cold blooded execution while attending a missing persons check this week.

The three suspects, Gareth Train, his brother Nathaniel and Gareth’s wife Stacey Train were all killed in a police firefight later on the Monday night after the murderous scene unfolded south of Chinchilla.

Coomera Police Station on De Barnett Street, where drivers paying tribute to those killed in Monday’s horrific Wieambilla tragedy. Picture: Supplied.

An officer at the Coomera station said a number of people had been coming in to pay respects to his fallen colleagues.

However, Channel 7 Gold Coast’s Bianca Stone said on the SeaFM breakfast show on Thursday: “I’ve just heard from a police contact the Gold Coast City Council have put parking fines on (police) officer’s cars while writing condolences to the fallen officers,” she said.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll paying tribute at Chinchilla Police Station in the aftermath of the killings. Picture: David Clark NCA/Newswire

“(Mayor) Tom Tate if you’re listening. We will get to the bottom of this. Not cool.”

Mr Tate responded to queries about it by saying he will “guide” his city officers, and the infringements were due to a “safety breach”.

He acknowledged it was a “sensitive time for police”, and would be talking to city CEO Tim Baker.

Constable Rachel McCrow, 26, and Constable Matthew Arnold, 29, were gunned down at the property in the western Darling Downs, about three hours west of Brisbane.

“We don’t want a little thing like this to arc people up,” Mr Tate said.

“I thank them (the police) for their service. Council and police work hand in glove.”

A city spokesperson said parking officers responded to a community complaint about cars being illegally parked in Coomera on Wednesday.

Two infringements were issued in De Barnett Street for parking on a footpath, the spokesperson said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate responding to questions about the parking fines. Photo: Tertius Pickard

“Parking on a footpath poses a visibility hazard and is a danger to pedestrians who may have no choice but to walk on the road,” a city spokesperson said.

“Both cars were private vehicles and there was no indication that these vehicles belonged to anyone associated with the nearby police station.”

The city spokesperson said anyone who receives a fine and believes it was an error or under exceptional circumstances can apply to have the fine reviewed.

“The City will work with Coomera Police to identify safe and legal parking options,” the spokesperson said.

Originally published as Gold Coast City Council issues parking fines to drivers paying tribute to victims of Wieambilla