NO-ONE

should be surprised to hear that Secure Parking is doubling and tripling their usual parking rates in Surfers Paradise during the Commonwealth Games – that’s just normal market forces at work.

When there is high demand, they will increase the prices. They do this already when there are special events on – we paid $75 at Secure Parking near Suncorp Stadium when we went to see the Paul McCartney concert late last year, when the normal rate is $25.

On a one-off basis like that, people just cop it, but what does the council think will happen if the 1640 Bruce Bishop car park is sold?

The answer is clear: Secure Parking will increase the parking rates in the car parks they operate in Surfers Paradise, pricing families and workers out of the market.

People will not be able to afford to come to work, because parking costs will be too high.

Tourists and families coming in for Surfers Alliance special events program, fireworks, New Year’s Eve etc. will be up to $25 for parking, instead of $5. That will be unaffordable for many. Let’s keep the Bruce Bishop and Cypress Ave car parks – they are there to provide affordable parking. DEBORAH KELLY,

SAVE SURFERS PARADISE INC