Hefty increase in Parking Fines
07 December, 2009
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The Lord Mayor Campbell Newman pushed through Council on Tuesday 8th December a proposal to increase the fines in Parking Control Areas by 50%.
If drivers overstay the 2 hours parking limit in The Dutton Park Parking Control Area, Brisbane Central Traffic Area and The Gabba Traffic Area they will face fines of $75 rather than the current $50 fines – a 50% increase.
The increase fines will be in West End, South Brisbane, Dutton Park, Woolloongabba, Kangaroo Point, East Brisbane and parts of Highgate Hill.
“This is a deliberate strategy to penalise inner City residents and their visitors as approximately 70% of the streets in The Gabba Ward have a Parking Control Area in place” said Cr Abrahams
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“It means all those sport lovers who come to see a game at The Gabba Cricket Grounds and who do not know about the 15 minute parking restrictions will now face a $75 fine” said Cr Abrahams
The Lord Mayor admits that 17,308 fines were issued around The Gabba Cricket Grounds since 2008 and with this proposal he will increase the revenue by approximately $400,000 based on those figures.
This proposal is a “Grab for Cash” by the Lord Mayor. It is not a coincidence that it comes at the same time as he is discontinuing the visitor parking permits.
“I know that when I have visitors it is very easy to forget the 2 hour parking limit. This is also happening to the patrons of the new restaurants in $3 million upgrade to the Logan Road Heritage Precinct in Woolloongabba.
“Receiving a parking fine certainly takes the edge of the dining experience.” said Cr Abrahams.
The Lord Mayor says he wishes to encourage people to live, work and play in the inner city suburbs but his proposal to increase parking fines, install parking meters and remove the visitor parking permits is making it less attractive and more difficult to live or visit in these areas.
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