LOGAN City Council will hand out heftier fines to those who park in disabled spaces without a permit.
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The fine has increased to $533, up from $266, in line with changes to state legislation.
The state government gazetted the amendment earlier this month.
The community consultation period ended on October 23. Council said neither residents nor state agencies objected to the plan.
A council spokesman said the organisation was committed to cracking down on rogue parkers taking up vital disabled spaces under the Access and Inclusion Plan 2019-2022.
City Lifestyle Committee chair, Laurie Koranski, said council's parking officers monitored disability parking bays on roads, on council property and at some large shopping centres.
"We encourage motorists to ensure they are parking correctly and leave disability parking bays for those who need them and are authorised to use them." Cr Koranski said.
Queensland Police also has the authority to fine people who park in disability parking bays without a permit.
Pensioner Lyn Seely, who said she also had a disability, took to social media to welcome the news of council's increase of the fine.
"Now that it's a busy time, people are really impatient about finding a park so think it's okay to park in a disabled car park," she wrote on Facebook.
"This means that genuine people with disabilities have to drive around and find a park usually a long way away, is this fair?
"We try not to be a burden and I am sure if it was one of their relatives they would jump up and down."
Greg Robertson wrote that council should adopt a more pragmatic approach to the problem.
"Surely the council could employ someone, give him a car, drive around all the shopping centres not in uniform and just observe what is going on," he wrote.
"if someone is doing the wrong thing, walk up, introduce yourself with ID and give them a ticket. Problem solved."
Trevor Hulme suggested a tougher approach than increasing fines.
"Just wheel clamp the car then get it towed," he wrote.
"That will stop them."
Wendy Harvey wrote that the increase was not necessary.
"They don't need to increase the fines, they just need to enforce the current restrictions," she wrote.
"It's not as though there aren't people out there desperate for jobs."
Margie Maassen wrote that those caught deserved the penalty.
"If its a breach, and it carries a penalty then penalties should be enforced - same with all the other breaches," she wrote.
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