Parking mad over review

THOUSANDS of residents risk being fined if they park outside their own homes for extended periods because the Gold Coast City Council has been unable to complete a citywide parking review for two years.

The review was to redesign the residents permit system to cope with the city’s rapid growth, particularly in highdensity unit complexes.

However, it now means res- idents will not be eligible for parking permits when nine new timed parking zones are introduced across the city next month.

The uncertainty has prompted Gold Coast Residents and Ratepayers president Tom Bleier to call for a city-wide parking plan. “It’s just nonsense,” he said. “Residents should be able to park at their own homes.”

The introduction of the timed zones came as the council attempts to sell Bruce Bishop Car Park in Surfers Paradise.

The nine parking boundaries include two-hour zones in Southport, the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, Varsity Lakes, Main Beach, near Cbus Stadium in Robina and near Metricon Stadium, Carrara.

Three-hour zones will be introduced in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, Bundall and Chevron Island and a fourhour zone has been flagged near the airport in Bilinga. The zones will operate from 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said the council had asked for a review of the permit system two years ago.

“I just feel anyone who buys a home has an expectation that they will be able to get a permit to park their car.”

It is understood the review of the parking permits will be delivered some time next year and will include the use of a smartphone app to help people apply for permits.

A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman said the number of permit applications for the new zones is unknown. “The parking permit scheme review was undertaken in a way that allowed City officers to complete detailed research into best practice methodologies,” she said.

No guarantee was given that there would be any flexibility when it came to parking fines for those in the new zone who are ineligible for a permit.

“The city takes an equitable and transparent approach to situations where motorists seek a fine or penalty infringement notice waiver due to special circumstances,” she said.