Signage woes in East St
CATHY Lee says signage in East St near the Post Office is inadequate to alert motorists of the two-hour parking time limit.
Ms Lee received a parking fine on June 14 and lodged a Statutory Declaration with the council on June 20, arguing she should not have to pay the $40 fine because the signs in the area were too hard to read.
However, council disagrees with Ms Lee and says she still has to pay the fine.
Ms Lee said she would find it hard to pay the fine as her and her partner live off just over $500 a fortnight.
A Rockhampton Regional Council spokesperson said council reviewed the signs in the area after receiving the Statutory Declaration.
"When driving into the area where the infringement was issued, the motorist would have passed one of two signs that clearly display that the area is a two hour parking limit zone between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday," the spokesperson said.
"There is another sign where the centre parking spaces are allocated that clearly displays that the area is a two hour parking limit zone.
"On the way into Rockhampton there are also a number of signs that clearly show that the Rockhampton Central Business District has a two hour parking limit unless otherwise signed. These signs are also posted throughout the CBD.
"All of these signs meet the Australian Guidelines."
Ms Lee claims she did not see the signs and had only been working in the area a short time when she received the fine.
She also commented that she couldn't understand why council would have such a time limit with the trouble of getting people into the mall to shop, rather than the big shopping centres.
Ms Lee said she was also surprised the council officer reviewing the fine did not call her before sending a letter stating she still had to pay the fine.
The council spokesperson said when council receives a statutory declaration or some other request in writing, its general practice is to reply in writing unless there is a need for further information.
"This is the process that was followed in this case," the spokesperson said.
Anyone who wishes to speak to a Council Officer to follow up with a request they have made in writing they are welcome to do so by calling the Customer Service Centre on 1300 22 55 77.
