An infringement will normally only be cancelled or waived if the infringement was issued incorrectly or if there were extenuating circumstances such as an accident or medical emergency. Before appealing you should check the following list understand why you where issued the infringement and in some instances why you should not expect it to be waived.
There are also some simple steps you can follow to ensure that you do not get a parking fine.
- Only park within marked parking bays.
- If you have a permit, ensure that it is displayed and the entire permit is clearly visible through the windscreen.
- Do not park in an area just because other cars are there, particularly in a grassed or dirt area.
- Do not park somewhere because ‘you will only be five minutes’.
- Do not leave notes on your dash board. The Security Officers have been instructed to ignore them and if you’ve parked somewhere you shouldn’t you will still get a fine.
- Don’t assume that because your friend or someone else told you that you can park in an area that you can. Read and follow the signage. If in doubt speak to the Parking Office (ph 3138 2225) for clarification.
List of Offences
The following is a list of offences for which you could receive a parking fine. Click on each offence in the following list to find out why an infringement notice was issued and in some cases what is not a valid reason for requesting that the infringement be waived. These offences are listed in order of most frequently issued. If after reading these explanations you feel that your infringement was issued incorrectly you may apply for a waiver.
- Failing to display a valid permit for the area.
- Failing to display a valid ticket for the area.
- Parking in an area not set aside as a parking area
- Parking longer than permitted time.
- Parking against a yellow kerbside or roadway marking
- Parking in a restricted area.
- Parking against a no standing sign.
- Parking contrary to the scheme of orderly parking.
- Obstructing emergency vehicle access or traffic flow.
- Parking in a direction contrary to that permitted.
- Failing to obey direction of a traffic officer or other authorised person.
- Parking against a no parking sign.
- Driving in a direction contrary to that permitted.
- Failing to obey a traffic control device other than a speed limit sign.
- Driving in area not constructed as a carriage way or parking area.
Failing to display a valid permit for the area.
This infringement is issued to vehicles not displaying a valid permit for the particular area in which they have parked. It may also be issued if the officer can not read the entire permit through the windscreen.
It is your responsibility to:
- Ensure that the permit is on display while you are parked on campus. Note the offence is failing to display a permit, not failing to hold a permit.
- Ensure that the entire permit is easily visible through the windscreen.
- Display the permit on the bottom right hand corner (driver's side) of your dash).
- Ensure that you are parked in the area permitted by the permit. For instance B permit holders are not permitted to park in C areas and vice versa.
You should also be aware that a permit which has been copied or amended in any way is not a valid permit and should you be found to be using such a permit you will also lose any parking privileges that you hold.
The Lot 5 parking area at the Creative Industries covers all parking spaces which you access by driving past the large Lot 5 entrance sign. This includes the parking on the road behind the main parking area and the area to the right of the main parking area. In general, if the only legitimate way to access the parking area is by passing an entrance sign, the instructions contained on that entrance sign apply.
Motorcycle riders at Gardens Point are also advised that parking under S,Z and C Blocks is paid parking only. The only exception to this is the marked motorcycle area next to the exit boom gate at C Block level 1 (this is the area on the Z Block side of the boom gate).
Failing to display a valid ticket for the area.
This infringement is issued to vehicles parked in the Pay & Display car parks who are not displaying a valid ticket purchased from the machines within the car park. It may also be issued if the officer can not read the entire permit through the windscreen.
It is your responsibility to:
- Ensure that you purchase a ticket to cover the entire time you wish to park. You should also take into account the possibility of delays in returning to your vehicle.
- Ensure that the ticket is displayed in the vehicle while you are using the car park.
- Ensure that the entire ticket is easily visible through the windscreen. You should check that the ticket is still visible after closing the door and before leaving the vehicle.
- Display the ticket on the bottom right hand corner (driver's side) of your dash. You should also remove any old tickets from your dash.
- Ensure that you are parked within the confines of the Pay & Display area. Pay & Display tickets are not valid if if the vehicle is parked in a permit parking area.
You should also be aware that a ticket which has been copied or amended in any way is not a valid ticket and should you be found to be using such a ticket you will also lose any parking privileges that you hold.
Parking in an area not set aside as a parking area.
You may only park in designated car parks on any campus, and within the marked bay if these are provided. QUT has to follow certain guidelines when installing parking areas that take into consideration vehicle and pedestrian access, the use of the area, vehicle size and turning requirements.
The following are not a valid excuses for requesting a waiver:
- There were no other car parks
- I needed to park close to the building to carry equipment
- I was not blocking any traffic or causing any obstruction
- There were other cars parked there
- I was only parked for 5 minutes
- My friend/ lecturer/school admin staff (or any one else) said it was OK to park there.
Parking longer than permitted time.
Some bays on campus have a time restriction in place and an infringement issued when vehicles overstay the permitted length of time. Please note that that you must remove your car from the area, and not simply move car spaces within an area. Time restrictions are placed on car parks to ensure that there is a turnover of vehicles and to cater for staff and students who need access to the campus for a short period of time. In addition to signposted 2P and 4P parking bays, all loading bays on campus are strictly 30 minutes only.
The Short Term Car Park at Gardens Point is a maximum of 4 hours in any one day. This means that if you must remove your vehicle after a maximum of 4 hours. You are not permitted to purchase additional hours or move your vehicle to another space or return and park later during the day.
Parking against a yellow kerbside or roadway marking.
Yellow line marking indicates "No Standing Anytime" and is used in places where it would be hazardous to have a vehicle parked. This could be to accommodate the types of vehicles that use the area, to ensure safe distance from a junction or to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Some drivers have claimed that they didn't know what yellow line marking means. It is your responsibility as a licensed driver to be aware of the road rules, one of which is the meaning of yellow line marking. Only in exceptional circumstance are infringements waived.
This infringement would apply to a vehicle that is parked in a disabled bay, a loading zone or any parking area that has signposted restrictions on its use. A valid Disability permit is required in any Disabled Paring bay identified by the international symbol or lettering. Having a injury of any sort does not permit non permit holders to use the bay. If you do have an injury that requires you to park on campus you should contact the Parking Office before you are required to attend the campus (Preferably at least 48 hours before you need access).
Only in exceptional circumstances are infringement waived.
Parking against a no standing sign.
These signs are placed in areas where it would be hazardous to have a vehicle parked. This could be to accommodate the types of vehicles that use the area, to ensure safe distance from a junction or to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Some drivers have claimed that they didn't know what yellow line marking means. It is your responsibility as a licensed driver to be aware of the road rules, one of which is the meaning of yellow line marking. Only in exceptional circumstance are infringements waived.
Parking contrary to the scheme of orderly parking.
These infringements are issued for area on campus which is set aside for parking, but which has no marked parking bays and where the vehicle is either blocking other vehicles from either entering or exiting the car park, or blocking access to a building, walkway etc. An infringement may also be issued if a vehicle is parked across multiple bays in a car park with marked bays.
Obstructing emergency vehicle access or traffic flow.
This infringement will be issued to any vehicle which obstructs traffic flow or emergency vehicle access, including access to fire hydrants, buildings etc. Blocking emergency vehicles or traffic flow could have life-threatening even if its 2am in the morning and there are no other vehicles around.
Parking in a direction contrary to that permitted.
Vehicles must park in the direction of traffic flow. Vehicles parked contrary to the direction of traffic flow will more than likely have had to drive for some distance on the wrong side of the road or the wrong way in a one-way street. Doing so is extremely dangerous and as such infringements for this offence will not be waived.
Failing to obey direction of a traffic officer or other authorised person.
From time to time it may be necessary for the Parking or Security Officers to give directions to drivers. This will be to ensure the smooth flow of traffic or to respond to an emergency or roadway obstruction. Failure to obey the instructions could escalate the problem. The only acceptable reason for not following the directions given, is if doing so would put you or your vehicle in danger.
Parking against a no parking sign.
No parking signs are erected for a reason. Failure to see the sign is not a valid excuse as it is your responsibility as a driver to check for signage.
Driving in a direction contrary to that permitted.
This infringement will be issued to vehicles that are either driving on the wrong side of the road or the wrong way in a one-way street (eg Bottom Drive at GP, Ring Road at KG). As this offence has the potential to cause an accident, these infringements are not waived.
Failing to obey a traffic control device other than a speed limit sign.
Traffic signs and other control devices such as witches hats and boom gates are put in place to ensure the safe flow of vehicles around campus. In the event of construction works or other disruptions to the normal flow of traffic on campus, it may be necessary to utilise officers to direct traffic using temporary “Stop/Go” hand held signs. In the event that a driver refuses to follow these directions an infringement of this type would be issued. There is no basis for an appeal against this infringement unless at the time of the offence the officer was not paying attention and accidentally directed you to drive towards a cliff or other such abyss, or into a large stationery object like a building or tree.
Driving in area not constructed as a carriage way or parking area.
This infringement would be issued to drivers who drive over grassed or garden areas. Driving in such places would cause damage to these areas. The only situation where this is permitted is when you are directed to do so by a Parking, Traffic or Security Officer.