Residents had been parking here for years. Then they got fined

For more than a decade, Darren Henley and other residents of Abbeville Street have been parking on the grassy verge opposite their houses, adjacent to their local park.

The verge is an ideal spot to park to keep the street clear, and many locals who frequent the popular dog park, basketball court and children’s playground also use the space for off-street parking.

Last month, however, Henley received two parking fines totalling $344, and three of his neighbours on the street in Upper Mount Gravatt were each fined $172 by the council for parking on the grassy strip.

“We have been here for 15 years and have been parking there,” Henley said, pointing to the grass directly opposite his house. “And then they [inspectors] came on July 9 at 8.04 in the morning and fined everybody.”

Local Labor MP Corrine McMillan wrote to the council on behalf of Henley and the other residents, saying the fines were egregious.

“Residents have parked there for over a decade without any warnings or fines,” McMillan said.

“Some ... [were] under the view it was allowed when moving in. Suddenly, the council slap a $172 fine for every single car parked.”

McMillan said the fines were issued “without any prior warning, community engagement or apparent change in local circumstances”.

“There is considerable frustration within the community, with residents feeling they have been subjected to sudden enforcement action in circumstances where a long-standing parking practice has been tolerated,” she wrote.

In her response to McMillan, Brisbane City Council chief executive Kerrie Freeman said a parking inspector visited the street in response to reports from members of the community.

“While officers will speak with motorists where circumstances allow, enforcement action may be taken when a vehicle is parking contrary to Queensland road rules,” Freeman wrote.

“Vehicles parked in a road-related area are required to be positioned as near as practicable and parallel to the left-hand side of the road, unless signs indicate otherwise.

“I acknowledge your view that parking restrictions should be supported by signage. However, statutory road rules apply regardless of whether signs are installed, and council is not required to sign these requirements.”

Under Queensland road rules, parking on the verge is illegal unless otherwise signed, the council said.