PARKING PAIN CALLS FOR SERIOUS RETHINK

FOR those of us on the Coast who enjoy getting out to a farmers market on a weekend, this is relaxing time well spent. It is a chance to grab a coffee and wander around and pick up some fresh produce.

But scratch past the surface and it is so much more than that. It is people supporting small businesses, mum and dad operations, farmers and food outlets who are doing it tough.

It is no secret that these are difficult economic times.

In many cases small operators are just surviving rather than thriving.

So support from weekend punters, giving up their time to wander around one of our city’s markets is critical to these people.

The quickest way for that foot traffic to dry up is if they cop a substantial fine for parking at the markets.

Today’s report in the Bulletin about council parking inspectors targeting the market at Helensvale High School, slugging people purely for parking in the wrong direction, is a head scratcher.

People have been parking in the same area, in the same way, for many years without incident. Council have also produced no evidence of any complaints being made.

Yet council go around fining people anyway.

Much like the struggles the aforementioned business operators face, households across the Gold Coast are feeling the pinch.

So if they are forced to fork out hard-earned cash to pay for a fine, you can bet that coffee and fresh produce goes by the wayside next time around.

On top of the financial impact to farmers and families from these fines, it serves to create further angst in the community that the council is merely revenue raising with its parking plans.

Recent Bulletin reports about residents’ anger at council over being fined for parking on verges are a prime example.

Nobody is suggesting that we do away with parking laws.

But there needs to be a commonsense approach to when and where they are enforced.

Peak parking in the middle of hotspots like Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise – sure.

People parking on a verge outside their home or near a local park – maybe, if it creates a potential danger to others.

But punters parking in the wrong direction for a weekend market at a school when there are no students around? It might be time for a rethink.

Because this one just does not pass the pub test. And it has ramifications that reach far beyond simply making sure someone is obeying rules.