A young Aussie has been left “confused” after copping a $116 fine for breaking a parking rule she claims she didn’t even know existed.
Shakira Coldwell took to TikTok to ask whether anyone else was aware of the rule after she received a fine in the mail for parking front first in an angled parking spot in Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
“Was I the only one that didn’t know you can get a parking fine for parking nose in, like the front of your car goes in first instead of backing into a car park?” she asked.
The 21-year-old then questioned whether the rule was only enforced in Noosa, saying she is “pretty sure you can any way in Brisbane and the Gold Coast as long as you are within the lines”.
Across almost all of Australia, failing to comply with angle parking requirements will result in a fine.
According to the Brisbane City Council website, failing to park as indicated by an angle parking sign will result in a $116 fine.
Ms Coldwell then showed a photo of how her car was parked at the time she received the fine, saying she was “clearly” within the parking lines but hadn’t backed into her space like the car next to her.
She revealed she may be facing an even bigger penalty, as she received the fine three months ago but had been travelled so only just opened the letter, meaning the payment was now overdue.
“Does that not just seem a bit absurd, a bit bizarre?” she said.
“I’ve asked a couple of people about this and they literally had no idea that rule even existed. Like, I’m within the lines, it doesn’t matter how I’m parked.”
Ms Coldwell then claimed she Googled the reason why parking rear to kerb is required in some areas, saying it has to do with cars producing emissions and the proximity to businesses.
However, she claimed she didn’t remember seeing a sign stating she needed to park rear to kerb.
“So I am a bit confused. Is this just Noosa rule or does everyone know this because I literally did not know this was a rule. And low key $116 for a parking fine that’s a bit absurd, given I was within the lines,” she said.
Commenters were quick to inform Ms Coldwell that this was a common parking rule and not just restricted to Noosa.
“As someone who lives in Noosa I can 100% guarantee there was a sign saying you had to back in,” one person said.
Another pointed out that parking the incorrect way in angled spots can make it “dangerous” when backing out into traffic, with one commenter claiming “everyone knows this”.
“Being within the lines literally has nothing to do with it lol,” another said.
One added: “Probably should read the parking signs when you park.”
However, there were still a number of people who were just as baffled as the TikToker, claiming they had never heard of the rule and even urging her to fight the fine.
“I’d be challenging that. I have never heard of it and there should definitely be signs so if you can go and check the signage,” one person wrote.
“Never heard of this before I wouldn’t pay it tell them where to go,” another said.
One commenter revealed they received the same fine while visiting Noosa and claimed the council did not “leave me alone” until she paid it.
“I was truly baffled,” she added.
According to the Noosa Council website, rear-in angle parking is enforced in certain areas, such as Gympie Terrace in Noosaville, Duke Street in Sunshine Beach, and Maple and Garnett Street in Cooroy.
“This type of parking is required because of the presence of a continuous solid white line that runs along the roadway, adjacent to the designated parking areas,” the website states.
“Parking nose-in at the angle outlined for the parking bay would require a vehicle to cross the solid white line when entering or exiting the parking bay. This manoeuvre is considered dangerous as it involves crossing into oncoming traffic.
“Additionally, it would necessitate reversing out into oncoming traffic, which poses a risk to both motorists and pedestrians.”
The rear angle parking is enforced to “ensure a safer parking experience for everyone in the area”.