Gold Coast council to use hi-tech Park Safe vehicles to monitor non-compliance and issue fines

Council dished out fewer fines than usual last year – but the drop is set to be short-lived, with a hi-tech system expected to claw back lost cash. Have your say.

Council dished out fewer fines last year, with Covid-19 to blame – but the revenue drop is set to be short-lived, with a hi-tech system expected to claw back lost cash.

The city’s annual report reveals 119,723 fines were handed out in the 2020-21 financial year, with the bulk linked to parking, animal management and environmental health.

The number was down 30 per cent from 2018-19 when council handed out 172,975 fines.

A council spokeswoman said the downturn in fines and the resulting revenue was an impact of the pandemic.

Council is set to employ two new “Park Safe vehicles” to improve safety. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

“The reduction in the number of infringements issued over the past two financial years can largely be attributed to the impact of Covid-19 on parking regulation across the city,” she said.

“Throughout this period, the city has continually reviewed its approach to parking regulation, taking into account the needs of the community and local business as well as Queensland Health directions.”

While the number of parking fines dropped significantly, there was a near-20 per cent increase in infringement notices for environmental health compliance, which can include everything from food safety, pollution and waste management to noise and dust issues.

However, council says its parking revenue is expected to bounce back following the introduction of its new parking technology.

The new “Park Safe vehicles” allow for council to scan the registration plates of cars parked illegally in disable spaces, on yellow lines, median strips and in school zones and issue the fines directly to the owner.

Council trialled the technology in late 2021 with two vehicles targeting school zones, with more to be rolled out this year.

A council spokeswoman said it allowed for a more efficient response to parking issues.

Council rangers booking a rather unusual vehicle on the Gold Coast. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“The city has also rolled out new parking technology which took time to replace and test and which decreased the amount of enforcement activity at times in 2021,” she said.

“With the new, more efficient, technology in full operation we could expect to see an increase in infringement notices if motorists continue to park illegally or overstay their visit.”

City transport committee head Cr Pauline Young said the new technology was not about raising revenue.

“It’s very cool and it is not about revenue raising, it is all bout safety,” she said.

“We have two vehicles so far and more will be coming online soon as they will go around school areas, among others, and issuing the fines.

“There are times when parents can get quite irate with our parking officers so hopefully this will alleviate those issues.”

It comes just months after council revealed it was is considering shrinking carparks to create more spaces around popular business hubs.

Line markings with council-run carparks will be reviewed as part of the city’s 10-year parking strategy in a bid to “maximise” bays.

Council staff will look at slimming existing car spaces as well as changing turning circles and other areas to determine if they too can be narrowed.

Burleigh Heads, Varsity Lakes, Surfers Paradise, Nerang, Broadbeach and Southport are all being investigated.

Councillors will vote on the review on Tuesday.

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Originally published as Gold Coast council to use hi-tech Park Safe vehicles to monitor non-compliance and issue fines