Council to consult on amendments to parking laws

Redland City Council has taken the lead of the Queensland Police Service by increasing the fine for people who park illegally in a disabled parking spot under a proposed amendment to Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2015, which will now be sent to community consultation.

Deputy Mayor Cr Julie Talty said Council had proposed the amendment to deter people parking in disabled spaces illegally, ensuring those who need disability parking could access it.

“We have an ageing population and our islands have a higher than average number of residents needing assistance due to a disability, so we need to make sure those who need disabled parking spots can access them,” Cr Talty said.

“If you park in a disabled parking spot and are fined by the police you get a $533 fine, so following advice from the State Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Council will look to bring our fine into line with the QPS.

“Most people do the right thing but for those who don’t, the increased fine may also be an increased deterrent, ensuring that disability parking spaces are kept free for people who need them and have the authority to park in them.”

Redland Disability Network coordinator Rob Spencer said any changes that would stop people illegally parking in disabled parking spots would be a good thing.

“The system is being abused now in terms of people taking over disabled parking spots and I’m pretty sure that an increased fine of more than $500 will certainly make people think twice about taking the spot,” Mr Spencer said.

Council will now seek community feedback on this and the addition of new proposed parking areas under Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking), including new parking areas at Moore’s Road and Auster Street, Redland Bay added to Council’s off-street regulated parking areas.

Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards said the inclusion of the newly built car park in this area of the Weinam Creek Priority Development Area would help deliver equitable parking for all.

“It is necessary to ensure we don’t see an abundance of vehicles parked there long term while people who need shorter term parking, such as commuters from our Southern Moreton Bay Islands, are unable to find a parking spot,” he said.

The community consultation will commence on 12 October 2020.

Further information and the opportunity to respond to the proposed amendments will be available on Council’s Your Say site from this date.

Comments received from the community will be reviewed before a final community consultation report is presented to a future meeting of Council.