Restaurant owners at odds with Gabba Parking Restrictions
07 December, 2009
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On Friday 27th November, patrons of the restaurants in the “heritage precinct” of Logan Road, Woolloongabba were issued parking fines even though they had paid for two hours parking.
Patrons were horrified to find parking infringement notices on their cars when they returned to them after lunch. Although the pay and display tickets were on display, yet they were fined.
The “Event Days Exempt” at the bottom of the parking sign means a 15 minute parking restriction applies when games are in progress at The Gabba Cricket Grounds.
“The fines were issued during the day, when patrons of the restaurants may not even have known a test match was in progress. The Gabba lights are a give away at night, but not during the day” Cr Abrahams said.
“This is a ludicrous situation. Motorists have no idea what “Event Days Exempt” on the signs means” said Cr Abrahams.
“If the area is signed as a 2 P area pay and display, it should remain as such irrespective of whether there is a game at The Gabba Cricket Grounds.
Staff in the Lord Mayor’s office advised me that the signs would be covered on Saturday morning and the fines will be waived. I have checked the signs on three occasions since and the “Event Days Exempt” words have not been covered.” said Cr Abrahams
“I call on the Lord Mayor to change the signs before the next event at The Gabba Cricket Grounds and to waiver all fines issued in the 2 P parking area during the Test Match whether the fine is paid or contested.” said Cr Abrahams.
“The Gabba Traffic Area just does not work. This is another example of the parking restrictions during games, catching motorists unaware” said Cr Abrahams.
Council has invested $3 million for streetscape enhancements of this heritage precinct to encourage restaurants, coffee shops and antique shops into this area.
“It is great to see this transition happening but the Lord Mayor has to get the details right. Restaurants in this area with fail if the customers are given parking fines at the same time as the bill for the meal “ said Cr Abrahams.