Locals on one of Australia’s most popular holiday islands say upcoming new fines to crack down on long-term wharf parking will have a negative impact on the vital tourism industry.
Minjerribah (formerly known as North Stradbroke Island) has a population of just 2200 but an estimated 375,000 people visit the popular spot each year. But moves to limit the time cars can be parked in the wharf car park are expected to deal a blow to local operators as Australian tourists could face parking fines.
New fines, due to come into effect in car parks from July 8, will mean cars will not be allowed to be parked in car parks for more than 12 hours in certain areas.
Queensland announced this week that it would cap public transport fares at 50 cents, but Minjerribah businesses say the generous policy won’t help residents and tourists who pay about $12 one way for a private ferry or $106 one way to put their cars on a barge.
Colin Battersby, chairman of Straddie Chamber of Commerce, said these prices, combined with the threat of looming fines, could deter tourists.
Travellers taking their cars to North Stradbroke Island by ferry will soon be faced with a new wave of parking fees. Credit: Getty
Australian local governments crack down on tourist parking across the country
The new parking restrictions are in line with a national trend of local governments cracking down on public parking, particularly when it comes to tourists. Noosa Shire Council, also in Queensland, for example, has been trialling new rules since August last year banning parking in the Noosa Spit car park between 10pm and 4am.
But Mr Battersby believes Minjerribah’s unique characteristics make parking enforcement difficult.
Regarding Minjerribah, Mr Battersby told the Courier-Mail that because the islands are “not considered the same as the mainland”, “the government does not provide the same level of services, whether it be transport, waste disposal or “any other services that would be expected”.
“There’s no appetite for change,” he argued.
Mr Battersby said most people had to drive to the ferry dock because “there’s no proper bus service on the island”. He warned that many had to leave their cars there while on the mainland, a stay that often lasted more than 12 hours.
North Stradbroke Island is in the Moreton Bay region of Queensland. Image credit: Getty
“Business is declining due to erratic and unreliable public transport which does not cater for residents, let alone tourists,” he said. “When new parking fees and time limits come into effect on July 8, we will see cars parked haphazardly at bus stops and on the streets.”
Currently, there is no reliable bus service, so locals and tourists must own or bring their own cars to visit the island. There will now be more restrictions and fines on parking.
Yahoo News Australia has contacted Redland City Council, Straddie Chamber of Commerce and TMR for comment on the impending parking fine changes.
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