A RATEPAYER says Redland City Council has not supplied enough car parks for boaties using the William Street boat ramps at Cleveland Point.
Katherine May was booked for illegal parking during the school holidays and has written to mayor Karen Williams, seeking the fine be waived.
Ms May said that with good weather, the ramp was exceedingly busy, with users having no choice but to park cars with trailers wherever they could.
“There were dozens of cars parked throughout the complex and along the road,” she wrote. “...In addition to that, there was no signage or yellow line to indicate that parking on the street was not permitted.
“My car did not infringe on the footpath or inhibit cars driving along the road. I did not think to photograph this as evidence on the day, because I wasn’t issued with the infringement until sometime later.
“To think that you have issued everyone who parked outside of an allocated bay on that day with an $88 fine is pure revenue raising.
“It’s simply outrageous that you have inadequately designed and built a boat ramp amongst a large population of recreational fishers and boaters, only to fine them for attempting to use it.”
Cr Williams did not respond but a council spokesperson said 126 car-trailer parks were provided.
“This includes the additional 46 bays provided two years ago when the southern boat ramp was constructed to accommodate the growing usage,” she said.
“Balancing the functional boating requirements of the population with the amenity of the area is always challenging for any council and the precinct where this facility is situated is particularly challenging due to its geographic limitations.”
The spokeswoman said other boat ramps – depending on weather conditions – included Toondah Harbour ramp at Emmett Drive. Options at the northern end of the city included Wellington Point and Thorneside. At the southern end there were ramps at Victoria Point and Weinam Creek.
Ms May said the lack of car parking was impacting on the usability of the ramp, as people had to walk a long distance to get their trailer.
“This is unsafe as it means several boats are trying to manoeuvre to and from the pontoon with boats constantly coming and going,” she said.
“It is only a matter of time before there is a collision of some sort and someone is hurt.
“The worst part about this is that by issuing infringement notices in this way, Redland City Council is spoiling families’ abilities to use the waterways.
“You’re essentially charging us for what is meant to be a free facility.”
The council spokesperson said the William Street boat ramps were the district’s most popular.
