Carpark a fine mess
Nowhere to go for rail users at Varsity Lakes
THERE are still no firm plans to increase permanent carparks at overcrowded Gold Coast train stations despite a flurry of complaints.
Pensioner John Hansen is among a bunch of students, tourists and locals who have complained after being stung for parking illegally when there were no parking bays available at the Varsity Lakes train station.
Mr Hansen, 68, said authorities had been spruiking public transport and so he and his wife decided to park at the local station before heading up to Brisbane by train last month.
“We tried to do the right thing and take public transport,” he said.
“We had an appointment in Brisbane and we got (to the train station) early to top up our Go Card. We couldn’t find any carparks, it was that tight. We drove twice through both carparks thinking someone would have pulled out.
“We couldn’t park on Scottsdale Dve.”
Fearing he might miss his appointment, Mr Hansen parked in a no-standing zone on Coromandel Lane – alongside dozens of other illegally parked cars – so that he could make it in time. It resulted in a $157 fine.
Councillor Hermann Vorster told the Gold Coast Bulletin Mr Hansen was not alone, with at least five other complaints received.
“It’s a disgrace, it’s an absolute mess,” he said, adding it had been an issue for “years”.
“The heavy rail network is managed by state government ... the car park was too small from day one.”
Cr Vorster said there was a parcel of land next door which state government could easily open to commuters simply by “opening the gates”. There will be an additional 1500 temporary car parks at Varsity Lakes during the Commonwealth Games which can be accessed by all commuters.