Driver: I’ll take towie to court
A MAN who reported his car stolen to police after it was towed from a Surfers Paradise street on Saturday night is taking his battle to court.
Shaun Brookman, 30, said he planned to lodge a claim in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal after police said they could not help him get his car back.
He yesterday paid the $550 impound fee and plans to go through the courts to get his money back.
The IT manager’s new Renault Megane was taken from Pandanus Avenue behind the QT Hotel at Surfers Paradise on Saturday night.
At least five other drivers also had their cars taken by Gold Coast Car Solutions after an employee of the Nerang tow trucking company this week said they had been hired by the owner of the street, Ali Holdings No. 3 Pty Ltd. Ali Holdings bought the street off the Gold Coast City Council in 1991, thought to be in anticipation of future development.
Drivers said they thought signs threatening “tow away zone” and “private property” referred to adjacent land and said the road looked like a council road.
“It’s deceptive,” Mr Brookman said. “I’ve never had my car towed (previously) because I’m not an idiot.
“The only thing I can do now is go to QCAT to get my money back.”
Councillor Gary Baildon said council hoped to address the confusion by putting signs at either end of the street warning it is privately owned.
Ali Holdings No. 3 Pty Ltd declined to comment yesterday.