Parking issues killing business

FOR 15 years, Geoff Collins has owned and run the Broadbeach News on the Gold Coast Highway at Broadbeach.

But for much of this year he has watched business fall and staff disrupted by having to race to their cars throughout the day.

Why? The new parking restrictions in his precinct.

“Council have been so dismissive,” Mr Collins said.

“Businesses have had to adjust work hours to accommodate these ridiculous parking restrictions.

“Staff have had to walk out on their shifts to re-park their cars. That is not efficient for business. It is a ridiculous money-grabbing exercise from council. We (Broadbeach businesses) are getting sick of it.”

Mr Collins said the council had “boo-hoo’d” the complaints and traders were told to “stop whingeing”, but with 16 vacant businesses in the area, the problem was evident.

“Who would come here to shop? You would just go to Pacific Fair where the parking is free for a few hours.

“We’ve been crucified and told we are dying.”

Glen Day, a small business owner and president of the Restaurant Industry Support Gold Coast Association, said it was difficult for diners to abide by the one-hour parking restrictions in some areas.

“We need to reduce the 7pm restrictions back to 5pm, because one hour is not long enough to park, walk in, pick a restaurant and enjoy a meal,” he said.

“We want to encourage people to dine here but it’s not possible unless they pay a lot of money or park far away.”

He also defended workers forced to spend hours on public transport or risk moving their cars multiple times within a shift.

Area councillor Paul Taylor said a report had been commissioned to address the issues.

“I have heard concerns from business and residents regarding a whole range of parking matters in my division,” he said.

“Through the recent parking councillor workshop, I have made council officers aware of every one of these concerns.

“I will do everything I can to address the issues.’’