Rockhampton Regional Council Parking Guide

Rockhampton Regional Council

PARKING GUIDE Parking made easy

contents Managing Parking Why do rules exist about parking?

Planning for our future Parking Legislation Link to the Corporate Plan and Operational Plan Safe Parking Guidelines Handy tips to help you park safely and lawfully Parking signs Blocking driveways Parking near intersections Double parking Parking on footpaths Parallel parking Central Business District - CBD Parking Maps and Parking Control Areas Enforcement Proactive parking enforcement High visibility patrols Local Laws Officers and Regulated Parking Penalty Infringement Notices Photographs Warnings Options when an Infringement has been issued Responsible Person Statutory Declaration Lodging the request for a review Election for Court Hearing

2

Rockhampton Regional Council

03 03 04 05 06 08 08 09 10 10 10 13 13 14 15 16 16 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23

MANAGING

PARKING Why do rules exist about parking?

Parking rules and regulations are used throughout the Rockhampton Regional Council area to provide a consistent approach to meet public expectations and to maintain the safety of all road users and pedestrians.

Certain areas such as the Central Business District (CBD), hospital district, school zones, transport hubs and the like, have restricted parking in place to assist with traffic flow and parking demands in these priority places.

The Queensland Road Rules and other parking legislation provide a clear set of standards for anyone parking a vehicle in the Rockhampton Region.

Unfortunately a small percentage of the community will decide not to follow the rules and are often oblivious of the detrimental effects their parking behaviour has on other members of the community.

Illegal parking can have numerous effects on the public and public infrastructure such as: Restrict the visibility of other road users Cause traffic congestion Damage underground infrastructure (footpath parking) Impede pedestrian access to safely use the nature strip or footpath Restrict general services such as waste collection and more seriously, emergency services.

To learn more about parking in the Rockhampton Region visit:

www.rrc.qld.gov.au

Parking Guide

3

Planning for our Future Over the coming years, the Rockhampton Region community is set to continue to grow and evolve, and will face significant changes. Change is inevitable, whether it is

Growing and More Diverse Population

Increases or Decreases in Economic Activity

New Infrastructure Challenges

Community’s Changing Expectations

Any one of these could significantly affect the lifestyle of the Region’s residents. This growth present complex and difficult management challenges for Council as matters such as on-street parking become a limited resource, with demand frequently outstripping supply.

Rockhampton Regional Council takes its responsibility to manage parking matters very seriously and envisage that this guide will assist the community and aligns with the Rockhampton Regional Council Corporate plan 20172022 and Operational Plan.

Rockhampton Regional Council aims to ensure that parking is managed efficiently as possible, to ensure public safety and amenity, promote turnover and allow for the effective loading of goods and passengers while supporting an increase in the use of sustainable transport modes such as walking, cycling and public transport.

Ultimately, the Queensland Road Rules apply to all drivers in Rockhampton and this guide aims to provide clarity to the community on how parking is managed by Rockhampton Regional Council

4

Rockhampton Regional Council

Parking Legislation Council works under a variety of acts, regulations and Local Laws to ensure that parking within the region meets the community expectations, these are: Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Road Rules) Regulation 2009 – also known as the Queensland Road Rules Local Government Act 2009 State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2014 Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2011 Subordinate Local Law No. 5 (Parking) 2011

Parking Guide

5

Link to the Corporate Plan and Operational Plan 4.2.1 Reference 4.2.1.1

4.2.1.2

Ensure public health, safety, local policies and law are adhered to Operational Action

Target

Department

Section

Provide effective development management programs in line with legislative requirements for environment health, food, safety, noise, odour and dust protection.

Compliance with statutory codes and regulations

Community Services

Planning and Regulatory Services

Provide formal and informal education opportunities to the public to ensure the community are aware of their

Education program implemented in accordance with program milestones

Community Services

Planning and Regulatory Services

legislative obligations

Over the coming years, the Rockhampton Region community is set to continue to grow and evolve, and will face significant changes. Change is inevitable, whether it is a growing and more diverse population, increases or decreases in economic activity, new infrastructure challenges or simply the community’s changing expectations. Council wants to ensure our organisation, and the community, is proactive in planning for the future, creating a Region that is admired for its strength, resilience and ability to embrace and benefit from change.

Rockhampton Regional Council’s Corporate Plan 2017 - 2022 sets the strategic direction and priorities for our organisation for the next five financial years.

It identifies expectations that the community desires within the Region, and outlines what Council will do to achieve these expectations, designed around five themes being;

Community 6

Economy

Rockhampton Regional Council

Environment

Service Excellence

Local Government Leader

The Operational Plan is an annual document which outlines activities and actions Council will undertake for the financial year in accordance with the adopted Budget and in line with Council’s Corporate Plan.

local tips 32,000 Vehicles travel across the Fitzroy Bridge everyday, this is a busy part of Rockhampton so be very cautious when traveling.

Parking Guide

7

SAFE PARKING

GUIDELINES Parking in the Rockhampton region, the Local Laws Officers are authorised to enforce the Queensland Road Rules. These rules are consistent across the state and all drivers are required to follow them.

Handy tips to help you park safely and lawfully: Australian disability parking scheme permit holders can park for free of charge for an unlimited amount of time where the parking limit is 30 minutes or more. Where the lime limit is less than 30 minutes, they can park for up to 30 minutes.

Unless otherwise signed, vehicles may stop in a loading zone for up to 2 minutes if dropping off/picking up passengers or for up to 20 minutes when dropping off/ picking up goods.

On-street parking within the CBD is intended for short term parking only. For longer stays please consider using public transport or parking at an off-street location including the river bank car parks or arcade parking complex.

Do not stop on a yellow edge line, in no stopping zones, bus stops and zones, taxi zones or other special use zones.

There are a number of traffic and parking control areas across Rockhampton. Some locations have different restrictions at different times of the day. Make sure that you read the signs carefully so that you understand the restrictions that apply.

Do not park across driveways, kerb ramps, footpaths or on the nature strip of a road.

Heavy vehicles or long vehicles (7.5m or longer) must not park or stop along a length of road, outside a built-up area, unless it is the shoulder of the road. In a built-up area, the driver of a heavy or long vehicle must not stop along a length of road for more than 1 hour unless permitted to stop as indicated by a sign or to drop off or pick up goods

8

Rockhampton Regional Council

Common parking signs throughout Rockhampton Parking Signs Parking signs all follow a clear set of guidelines across the State. When reading parking signs you should keep in mind the following: Green parking signs will tell you when you are allowed to park within certain conditions, such as the amount of time, which days and what times.

Red parking signs will tell you when you are not allowed to park unless you are driving a certain type of vehicle or performing a specific action, like dropping off or picking up passengers.

Outside of signed times, the parking conditions do not apply.

Vehicle can be parked for 1 hour between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday.

Vehicles cannot stop from 7 am to 9 am, and 2 pm to 4 pm on school days.

Passenger Loading Zones allow you to stop for up to two minutes to pick up or drop off a passenger or up to 20 minutes when droppingoff/picking-up goods.

A driver must not stop where a no stopping sign or yellow ‘no stopping’ line applies. Drop off and picking up is not allowed at any time.

You must not stop within a bus zone at any time. This zone is only available to buses.

Parking Guide

9

Blocking Driveways A driver must not stop on a road in a position that obstructs access by vehicles or pedestrians to or from a footpath ramp or a similar way of access to a footpath, or a bicycle path or passageway.

Parking Near Intersections You should not stop within 20 metres of traffic lights, or within 10 metres of an un-signalised intersection, unless signed otherwise. You can park on the far side of a T-intersection without a traffic light on the continuing road, unless there are signs or line markings indicating otherwise.

Double Parking Double parking is very dangerous and puts people at risk as they try and navigate between parked cars. There is always another option which is safer than double parking.

10

Rockhampton Regional Council

local tips Download the app called ‘PayStay’ to find out where the available parks are in the CBD. Don’t forget that parking in the CBD is free! The app lists both paid and free parking across many cities.

Parking Guide

11

local tips 2,900 Car park spaces are available in the CBD, both on and off the street. Know what the time restrictions are before leaving your car ignorance is not an excuse.

12

Rockhampton Regional Council

Parking on Footpaths Of all the parking complaints made to Council by the public, parking on the footpath is the highest. The Queensland Road Rules states that a driver must not stop a vehicle on a bicycle path, footpath, shared path or dividing strip, or a nature strip adjacent to a length of road in a built-up area, unless the driver is permitted by a parking control sign.

Parallel Parking On roads where vehicles are parked parallel on both sides of the road, drivers of parked vehicles must leave a space of at least three (3) metres clearance between their vehicle and any vehicle parked on the opposite side of the road. Where a parked vehicle is causing an obstruction and there is less than three metres clearance, enforcement action may be taken against the owner or driver of the vehicle parking second if this can be established.

Where there is a solid white line in the middle of the roadway, drivers of parked vehicles must leave a space of at least three metres clearance between their vehicle and the solid white line. A minimum distance of at least one metre must be left between the front and rear of two parallel parked vehicles. A minimum space of at least three metres must be maintained between a vehicle and a dividing strip. It is illegal to park your car in a street that has traffic flowing in both directions, where the vehicle is facing oncoming traffic.

Parking Guide

13

CBD CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT

Business areas are primarily areas where there are shops, offices and other commercial premises that endure high volumes of vehicles, with limited on-street parking, often limited by time. A wide range of parking is available within the CBD from free long stay parking as well as a variety of times parking from 10 minute limited parking to four (4) hour limited parking.

Council Officers will frequently inspect areas to ensure the turnover of parking spaces.

Rockhampton Regional Council provides more than 2,900 car parking spaces in the Rockhampton CBD, both on and off-street. In addition, there are also a number of off-street car parks that are privately owned by businesses.

While there are many free on and off-street car parks located in the Rockhampton CBD, time restrictions are also in use in the high occupancy areas throughout the CBD. These aim to promote turnover and make parking spaces more readily available for people who are shopping, conducting business or visiting a doctor, where the duration of the task is usually less than 2 hours.

Note: Outside of the times outlined on the signs and on public holidays on street parking is free unless other parking restrictions apply (e.g. bus zone, loading zone). You should always check the information on a parking sign when parking within the CBD.

14

Rockhampton Regional Council

Vic to r

ia

Pd e

Park Avenue an Re S ey t

Berserker

t Tof L ver lso Bo

eS

dg

bri

Cam

t

ge

rid

yB zro Fit

S roy

z Fit

r St

t

The Common

tle

t

Lit

S ver lso

Bo

he

Arc

St

Alm t

aS Alm

aS

t

S roy

z Fit

t

L ay

Qu

t St

Eas

aL

Alm

t St

n Ke tL

rke

Ma

Qu S ay

on nis De

t

L

St tL

n Ke

am

nh

De

lL

el pb

St

tL Eas

Cam

am

lli Wi

ell St

Rd

t

t

eS

org

t

t

Gladstone

nS

t

Time Restrictions Current as of July 2019

Ge

S ay

Legend

o nis De

pb

Cam

rr Mu

ALLENSTOWN

S rby

De

yS nle

Sta

DEPOT HILL

10mins

30mins

3P

Private Paid Parking

Private Paid Parking

All Day

1P

4P

Disabled

Bus Zone

15mins

2P

Paid Parking

Motorcycle

Taxi Zone

Other

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

ENFORCEMENT Proactive Parking Enforcement Council has adopted the approach of proactive parking enforcement in the CBD, regulated parking areas (areas which an official parking sign or line marking applies) and school precincts. Council Officers also target specific offences and locations in order to improve road safety and traffic flow through education and awareness including making recommendations for changes to parking signage or enforcement.

High Visibility Patrols This kind of patrol involves activities where Council Officers are clearly visible in full uniform and/or high visibility vests and are driving clearly identifiable Council vehicles for all motorists and members of the public to see. For example, school zone parking patrols. Council encourage the community to park legally and prefer to educate rather than penalise.

16

Rockhampton Regional Council

Local Laws Officers and Regulated parking Locals Laws Officers (LLO) conduct patrols of the region to assist in the safe parking for the community. LLO’s follow policies and the code of conduct to guide them in their duties which includes: Be courteous, fair and equitable, diligent and demonstrate appropriate behaviour at all times.

Apply the ‘benefit of the doubt’ principle. This involves not issuing an infringement notice if there is any doubt as to whether an offence has been committed.

Ensure that infringement notices are not issued unless all relevant traffic signs or road markings are clear and visible Observe and obey the Road Rules at all times - except in the case of an emergency or where non-compliance was necessary in the interests of public safety.

Recognise that drivers may become upset when issued with an infringement notice for an illegal parking offence.

Not verbally abuse, threaten or assault any member of the public. LLOs report to their supervisor any verbal abuse, threats or assaults directed at them.

Act as ambassadors for Rockhampton Regional Council and the community.

Officers use discretion when deciding whether or not to take action in regard to a vehicle parked contrary to the parking laws. This discretion is personal to each officer and individual to each case presented. It is desirable that decisions made be consistent with this guide.

Parking Guide

17

PENALTY INFRINGEMENT

N0TICES

When an infringement notice is deemed appropriate Officers must serve the Infringement notice in accordance with State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 the owner of the vehicle; or a person named in a known user declaration or a sold vehicle declaration.

Under State Penalties Enforcement Act 1999 the Infringement notices may be served by:

Personal service

Post

Attaching the notice to the vehicle

Photographs With the availability of digital camera technology, there is an expectation by the courts that photographs are taken of vehicles involved in alleged parking offences, where practicable, for presentation as evidence in court, if required.

It is lawful for a Council Officer to take a photograph of a vehicle in a public place such as on a road or in a public car park near a school. When Council Officers investigate parking offences the main focus of the photograph is on parking offences.

Rockhampton Regional Council during its investigation takes at least two (2) photograph of the alleged parking offence when a fine is issued. The owner of a vehicle which is the subject of a fine may request, in writing, a copy of any photograph/s taken in relation to the alleged offence within 28 days of the date of issue of the fine to ensure that a relevant option is taken within the statutory time.

18

Rockhampton Regional Council

Warnings Council Officers are under no legal obligation to issue a warning before the issue of a fine. Officers may use their discretion in the investigation of a parking breach considered minor and has been, or can be, rectified immediately, or if it is more practical to issue a warning in the first instance.

Examples of warnings include: A warning may be given where a vehicle is parked in a disability parking bay not displaying a permit and the driver returns before a fine is issued and presents a valid disability parking permit.

A vehicle parked parallel on a nature strip in a residential area may be given a warning in the first instance if the vehicle is no causing any other nuisance or damage to infrastructure.

If the subject vehicle has been issued a warning for the same or similar offence within the previous twelve (12) months, a fine is generally issued.

To learn more about Penalty Infringement Notices in the Rockhampton Region visit:

www.rrc.qld.gov.au

Parking Guide

19

Options when an Infringement has been Issued If you have been issued with an infringement there are a number of options available to you that are outlined below: Payment of the infringement in full.

Enter into a Voluntary Instalment Plan with Council and SPER. Lodge a responsible person Statutory Declaration with Council.

Request a review of the infringement with Council.

Elect to have the Infringement heard in Court.

Voluntary instalment plan

1

Provide completed application for Infringement Instalment Agreement

First Steps

2

Provide valid photo identification

3

First $60 payment in person to Council’s Customer Service Centres

Where the infringement notice penalty is $200 or more, you may, within 28 days from the date the notice was issued, apply to pay by instalments.

Your application to pay by instalments must be made by providing a completed Application for Infringement Instalment Agreement, valid photo identification and your first $60 payment in person to one of Council’s Customer Service Centres. Please note that the application form must be completed by the person whose name appears on the infringement.

Upon receipt of your application Council will refer the matter to the State Penalty Enforcement Registry who will contact you about a payment plan for the remaining balance of the infringement amount.

20

Rockhampton Regional Council

Responsible Person Statutory Declaration If the person who receives the infringement notice is not the owner of the vehicle or the driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence they may complete an Infringement Notice Withdrawal Request form and a statutory declaration stating at the time of the offence the vehicle was: In the charge of another person known to the owner of the vehicle (if so please nominate the person by providing the name and address of the person).

In the charge of another person unknown to the owner of the vehicle.

Sold or otherwise disposed of prior to the date of the offence.

Being unlawfully used or stolen.

Evidence or additional information should be provided with your statutory declaration.

Parking Guide

21

Lodging the Request for a Review The most convenient way to request a review is to complete the standard review form available from Council, which will prompt you for the information required to review the infringement.

For people seeking the review of an infringement should read the information about lodging requests for a review please visit:

www.rrc.qld.gov.au/InfringementWithdrawal To help Council decide the case, it is important that the person provides sufficient supporting evidence when they lodge the request for review.

Depending on the type of fine notice issued, you should try to include, where applicable: The grounds of any legal defence, exemption from the law, exceptional circumstances or error on the fine.

Photographs or diagrams showing the exact location of the incident; If your vehicle was broken down, vehicle repair invoices, spare parts or towing receipt; A copy of a valid parking permit or disability parking permit; Documents outlining any medical emergency which resulted in illegal parking; A copy of a parking ticket or receipt; A Statutory Declaration from a witness (this form can be obtained from Courts.qld.gov.au) Written advice or a crime report from the Queensland Police Service A photocopy or scan of the infringement (if you don’t have this, provide the fine number or the vehicle registration number; date and time of the incident).

22

Rockhampton Regional Council

After the review is finalised, Council will send correspondence to the applicant informing them of the decision (if the fine stands or if it has been withdrawn).

Election for Court Hearing If a person wishes to have the matter decided in the Magistrates Court they must complete the relevant part on the reverse of the infringement notice or make a written request and provide Council with any information or documentation for the process.

Parking Guide

23

get in contact 4932 9000 enquiries@rrc.qld.gov.au

Council’s Customer Service team are ready to answer any questions you may have.

Customer Service Centres

Call us or reach out via email. If you would prefer to speak in person, visit one of our Customer Service Centres open Monday to Friday.

ROCKHAMPTON CITY HALL City Hall 232 Bolsover Street 8.00am - 5.00pm

GRACEMERE

1 Ranger Street 9.00am - 5.00pm

MOUNT MORGAN 32 Hall Street 9.00am - 4.30pm

Parking made easy