Tate: App a fine option

GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate has urged motorists to use the city’s paid parking app to avoid a nasty surprise on their car window.

The Gold Coast Bulletin revealed on Saturday that drivers in three suburbs were stung almost $10 million in parking fees in the last financial year.

More than 51,000 motorists were fined in Surfers Paradise. Southport (40,240) and Burleigh Heads (29,983) were other hot spots.

Critics said on Saturday that a limited number of parking bays in Surfers Paradise were to blame for the high number of drivers fined.

However, the Gold Coast City Council said there were 670 on-street car parks in Surfers Paradise and a further 1600 in the Surfers Paradise Bruce Bishop car park.

Cr Tate said he did not want to see a single motorist fined for overstaying their time in a parking bay.

“People argue it’s about revenue. That’s untrue,” he said.

“Metered parking is about ensuring motorists only stay in a bay for the allotted time.

“This frees the bay up for the next motorist and helps businesses in the area as the bays are turned over and more shoppers can visit their store.

“The city’s parking system is linked with a Pay Stay App, that means you only ever pay for the exact amount of time you are in the bay.”