Gold Coast City Council says Burleigh parking sign changes could cost less than $100,000

Gold Coast residents have slammed council’s “unbelievable” $100,000 estimate to change parking signage after they used stickers to cover original times. We asked them to please explain.

Residents have slammed council's comments stating it will cost ratepayers roughly $100,000 to replace the Burleigh Heads parking signage – even though it was just covered by a sticker. . Picture Glenn Hampson

Residents have slammed council claims it would cost up to $100,000 for new paid parking signs across the Gold Coast, despite previously using stickers to alter them.

In July, the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) was grilled over their decision to start a “trial” which would see paid parking across the Gold Coast – most controversially in Burleigh Heads – be changed from 9am to 5pm, to 7am to 7pm.

Two weeks ago, Division 13 councillor Josh Martin fought for council to change the times to 9am to 7pm and was successful.

However, residents were shocked when council CEO Tim Baker stated the changes would cost ratepayers roughly $100,000 and take three months to change the signage.

Residents have slammed council's comments stating it will cost ratepayers roughly $100,000 to replace the Burleigh Heads parking signage – even though it was just covered by a sticker. . Picture Glenn Hampson

One resident said they couldn’t understand why Council could not “just put stickers over the existing signs”.

“Could not be $100,000 to do that,” Helen Kinsella said.

“This council is unbelievable. They have no regard for the residents or local businesses.”

“Can we apply for the tender for replacing the signs? Will do it for 90k,” Joshua Keene said.

A GCCC spokeswoman said the stickers could not be removed as the new times were different to the original and they now estimate the cost to be “significantly lower”.

Someone in Burleigh Heads had already ripped off the sticker, revealing the old parking times. Picture Glenn Hampson

“The City will initially place stickers on approximately 400 linear signs and 40 area signs to reflect the change in parking conditions across the Gold Coast,” she said.

“The $100,000 cost was an estimate only and the City has focused on cost efficiencies in delivering this project.

“As such, while the total costs are still being finalised it is now estimated the final cost will be significantly lower.”

The spokeswoman said while the permanent signage may take a few month to install, they hoped it would be completed mid-December, weather permitting.

“Changes required include updating regulatory signage, meter applications, parking app and resources to co-ordinate changes across the city,” she said.

“In the meantime we ask that everyone continue to obey the signage where they park as we work through the changes.”

Council said they will have to reprogram all the electronic meters. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Originally published as Gold Coast City Council says Burleigh parking sign changes could cost less than $100,000