A young woman has branded the council’s parking rule ‘absurd’ after being fined $116 for something she didn’t know was against the law.
Shakira Coldwell received the fine in Noosa after she pulled into the car park instead of reversing, in breach of the council’s ‘rear-in’ rule for the car park.
“Was I the only one who didn’t know that you can get a parking ticket if you park nose-first, as if the front of your car goes in first, instead of backing into a parking spot,” she asked.
“I’m not sure if that’s just a rule in Noosa because I’m pretty sure you can park anywhere in Brisbane and the Gold Coast as long as you stay within the lines,” she said.
TikToker Shakira Coldwell (pictured) has already received more than 600 comments on her video of her questioning a parking spot and asking if anyone else has ever heard of it
A parking location is pictured in Noosa, south-east Queensland, where Ms Coldwell was fined
The photo on the fine showed that she was parked with the nose inward, while the car next to her was parked with the nose outward.
“They backed into their space,” she said. ‘But I’m clearly staying within the lines. So I’m a little confused.’
What makes matters worse is that her fine could be increased because the payment date has already passed.
‘I got this fine three months ago, but I was traveling and just opened it. So I’m already late on my payment,” she said.
‘Don’t you find that a bit absurd, a bit bizarre?
Ms Coldwell said she had asked other people about this and they had no idea the rule even existed.
‘I just gave it a little Googling and the reason why you can’t park like that is because if there are cafes or businesses behind you, your car could be creating emissions.
“The back of your car will produce emissions and those will go to the companies.”
She remembered that there were many cafes on the street.
“So that makes sense, but honestly I haven’t seen a sign saying you can’t park like that, so I’m a little confused.”
Ms Coldwell asked her viewers if the rule only applied in Noosa or if anyone had come across it in other areas.
She quickly received hundreds of responses, with the highest ranked saying: “As someone who lives in Noosa, I can 100% guarantee there was a sign telling you to get back to Lmao.”
Another advised her: “Go back and look for the sign.”
But others shared her confusion, with one writing: ‘There are only inverted bays?’ Is this a Qld thing? I don’t think we have that in Vic.’
“I don’t understand why that’s a reverse parking rule? Shouldn’t it be optional,” wrote another.
Another poster, who, like Ms Coldwell, had gone to the seaside resort as a visitor, said: “I’ve been to Noosa several times and there are a number of places with signs that say ‘rear kerb’.”