Student left in fine mess
A GOLD COAST university student says she has been forced to skip classes for fear of copping expensive parking fines at the overcrowded Coomera Station.
Melanie James, who uses the Coomera train station daily to travel to university in Brisbane, was fined $261 on Monday for parking on vacant state land near the overcrowded carpark, where commuters and workers on construction of the nearby Westfield shopping centre site compete for spaces.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Government would not be waiving fines for those pinched on Monday.
Coomera MP Michael Crandon said Ms James was among more than 50 fined by TransLink.
Now Ms James says she will have to miss classes if she can’t find any car parks.
“I always arrive quite early in the morning to catch the train and find a park but as usual there were parks,” she said.
“So I parked on the side of the road like everyone else does when they are out of space. It is a safe spot and out of the way.
“No one is trying to do anything illegal. no car
“It is annoying, nobody at the train station is trying to be sneaky, they’re just trying to get to work.
“I can’t afford another ticket, so I will be missing lessons if I can’t find a park.”
Coomera MP Michael Crandon is calling on the State Government to waive the fines until appropriate parking options are in place.
“You need another 250 car parks there,” he said. “I have already been contacted by several people who were fined on Monday and we will be seeking that they be waived.
“Since the construction started there has been leeway given to parking on verges or on the side of the road at the Coomera Station.”
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey did not detail plans for more parking at Coomera Station and said he was aware of the Queensland Rail ticketing blitz against vehicles parked on gardens and turfed areas.
“Those who were fined have the option to contest their penalty by following the directions on the infringement notice,” he said.
“At my request, my department has approached Westfield to see what measures are possible to manage tradespeople using the park n ride inappropriately and we are committed to working with Westfield to achieve positive outcomes for commuters.”
I CAN’T AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER TICKET, SO I WILL BE MISSING LESSONS IF I CAN’T FIND A PARK, THERE ISN’T MUCH OF AN OPTION MELANIE JAMES