Motorists were hit with more than $30 million in parking fines in Brisbane in the 2022-23 financial year, with the city council issuing almost 170,000 parking fines over a 12-month period.
Key points:
- Motorists in Brisbane were issued 168,042 parking fines in 2022-23, a 21 per cent increase from the year before
- The increase came after meters were switched off multiple times during the 2021-22 financial year due to floods and COVID
- Almost $1 million in fines were also withdrawn last financial year after drivers appealed penalties
The rise in penalties coincided with parking meters resuming regular operations following interruptions due to floods and COVID, as well as an increase in complaints about illegal parking.
A total of 168,042 parking fines worth $30.58 million were issued to motorists in Brisbane in 2022-23 — up from the 138,589 penalties valued at $23.46 million that were issued in 2021-22.
Among the top reasons drivers were fined in the past year included not paying the meter, parking in a no stopping zone, illegally parking in a traffic area, or stopping in a bus zone or lane.
Although there was an increase in fines in 2022-23, it came after meters were turned off and enforcement scaled back multiple times during the prior financial year because of COVID lockdowns.
The council also turned off the meters for roughly two months between February and April 2022 as a recovery measure following the pandemic and the south-east Queensland floods.
‘Don’t do the wrong thing’
City standards committee chair, Councillor Kim Marx, said parking meters helped with parking space turn over, which benefited local businesses.
“Our message to motorists is simple; if you don’t do the wrong thing, you won’t pay a parking fine,” she said.
“Illegal parking can also be dangerous and cause traffic chaos. If someone stops in a clear way or no stopping zone in peak hour, they can reduce the capacity of a two-lane road by 50 per cent.
“Any money from fines goes straight back into the community and delivers services and infrastructure.”
In the past financial year, the council received 39,828 complaints about illegal parking, which was a 12.6 per cent increase from the year before.
Drivers challenge fines
Almost 7,000 fines worth about $1 million were also withdrawn in 2022–23 after motorists challenged the penalties.
The top five reasons fines were rescinded included reasonable doubt, extenuating circumstances, compassionate grounds, officer error, or if the vehicle was exempt.
Reasonable doubt can include circumstances where the driver has a receipt for attempted parking payment, but did not carry out all the necessary steps to finalise the transaction.
Australian Crime Commission vehicles or those that are used by the state police, fire, and ambulance services are considered to be exempt from parking fines.
Brisbane City Council has a three-stage process for appealing a fine, which begins with an internal review of the fine.
This is followed by a referral to the council’s disputes commissioner, who can overturn or uphold the decision to issue the fine.
As a last resort, the driver can challenge the penalty in the Magistrates Court.
Over the next financial year, the council has projected its parking fine revenue will reach $48.9 million.
The council had projected parking fine revenue of $46.39 million in 2022–23, but it fell short of this forecast with $32.89 million ultimately collected.
Loading