Pick-up parking chaos
Dad slams parents, council
A GOLD Coast father has hit out at “rude” and “inconsiderate” parents for trapping residents inside their homes during school pick-ups.
Coomera factory worker Dale Foster said the afternoon rush at Coomera Rivers State School had become a daily nightmare on Chromata Lane and accused Gold Coast City Council of failing to tackle the issue.
“It’s a joke, basically Gold Coast City Council have been useless with this,” Mr Foster said.
“Unless I’m home before 2pm I can’t get into my house until the school rush is over.”
Mr Foster said parents waiting to collect their children had torn up nature strips by driving over them for the three years he has lived across from the Finnegan Way school.
He said parents regularly parked on yellow lines and in front of driveways.
“I think there are about 1500 kids at the school and there aren’t enough parks,” Mr Foster said.
“You could probably fit about 10 cars in the street but on any given day it’s packed with about 30.”
As well as contacting the school and local police the 31year-old said he had called council multiple times but it usually took 30 minutes to get through to the correct department.
He said that meant by the time parking inspectors were dispatched the school rush was over.
“Council could make a $1000 in a split second if they came down,” Mr Foster.
“I know the school can’t do much and police have more important things but it’s just frustrating.
“I’ve spoken to the school but all they can really do is put a note in the newsletter.
“Parents park in front of my driveway which is not only illegal but it’s just rude – you wouldn’t do it in Surfers Paradise so why would you do it in front of a school.”
A council spokesman said the city and the school was aware of the issue.
“Council has been working with the school to improve traffic and parking issues,” he said in a statement.
“Children’s safety is our number one priority and we are attending to concerns of nearby residents.’’