Motorists could soon pay significantly more for overstaying time limits or misusing parking zones in one of Australia’s most visited coastal regions.
Noosa Council has proposed a suite of fine increases aimed at improving public safety, easing congestion and aligning with other South-East Queensland councils.
Under the changes, some penalties would rise by more than 100 per cent, including a doubling of fines for parking in disabled bays.
Community members have been invited to have their say on the proposed changes via submissions by August 15.
In June the council resolved to start the local law-making process to amend Subordinate Local Law No.5 (Parking) 2015, to increase the penalties for minor traffic offences.
The council stated, via its website, that the amendments were intended to “encourage greater compliance by motorists, improve public safety, align with neighbouring local governments, discourage overstays, help alleviate congestion, improve parking availability in high-demand areas and improve accessibility for people with disabilities”.
The proposed subordinate local law and a council fact sheet on the changes detailed the possible changes.
Penalties for stopping in a loading zone could increase from 0.75 penalty units ($125) to 1 penalty unit ($166), stopping in a parking area for people with disabilities could increase from 2 penalty units ($333) to 4 penalty units ($667), parking for longer than indicated could increase from 0.5 penalty points ($83) to 0.75 penalty points ($125) and other offences that relate to parking or stopping a vehicle could increase from 0.5 penalty points ($83) to 0.75 penalty points ($125).
The proposed changes come after a clampdown on illegal parking and camping around the shire.
A timed parking trial was recently extended at Noosa Spit, before a ban on overnight camping was expanded to popular beach and dining destination Peregian Beach in response to growing concerns from residents.
Prior to that, the local council launched parking blitzes, issuing scores of fines at hotspots around Noosa and Peregian Beach.
Once the public submission period is completed, council will review the submissions and may resolve to make the subordinate local law as is or with changes after consultation.
Noosa Council development and regulation director Richard MacGillivray said the proposed changes would serve as a “stronger deterrent”.
“Council’s current parking penalties have been in place since 2015 and are due for review,” he said.
“The proposed changes affect all of Noosa’s regulated parking areas and will bring the shire’s parking penalties into line with most other South-East Queensland local government areas.
“Higher fines as a result of increasing the penalty units that apply to each offence will serve as a stronger deterrent against parking illegally and outstaying parking time limits.”
The council generated $1.027 million from parking infringements in 2024-2025.
“The proposed changes are anticipated to increase future revenue by around $300,000 based on last year’s infringement numbers, however it’s possible this figure may be lower as the changes are aiming to improve parking compliance and support parking turnover,” he said.
“This revenue is invested back into initiatives such as carpark safety improvements, illegal camping enforcement with Queensland Police, plus new signage and parking education.”
The consultation period opened on July 25.
Community group Noosa Residents and Ratepayers Association has been contacted for comment.
