This parking rule is catching drivers out. Now there’s a push to alter it

The group wants Brisbane to adopt rules from Logan, where people can park partially or fully on a nature strip if the road is less than 6 metres wide; they don’t block a footpath; a gap of at least 1.2 metres is left for pedestrian access; and mailboxes aren’t blocked.

Griffith University Cities Research Institute deputy director Professor Matthew Burke said verge parking was seen as a “victimless crime” but could cause damage and access issues for people with a disability.

“I was actually looking at this in an estate recently, where there was abundant off-street parking but no one was using their garages for parking their cars,” he said.

“Most of the households had two-car garages, but the garage was used for something else – gym equipment, boats, and all sorts of other things – and the cars were out on the streets.

“It’s a difficult problem, a wicked problem.

“But in essence, there are just too many cars, it’s not really an issue of the supply of road space.”

Another Brisbane-based group, the Shady Lanes Project, supports people to plant gardens on the nature strip outside their homes.

People are allowed to create well-maintained footpath gardens under Brisbane City Council guidelines, but they must leave a width of 1.2 metres for pedestrians.

“As we go higher-density, our streets play a much bigger role in providing natural green space and shade,” Shady Lanes Project founder Gayle Dallaston said.

“If we let cars take priority … parking on our verges, our suburbs will become hot deserts packed with cars.”

Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Queensland president Tessa Leggo said areas with minimal street trees and vegetation could be 10 degrees hotter than equivalent streets with a greater focus on trees and landscaping.

Brisbane City Council has issued 5256 fines and 2282 warnings for cars stopping on a footpath, shared path, dividing strip or nature strip so far this financial year.

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“Every situation is different. However, where possible, officers will issue education or a warning in areas where complaints have been made and there are a high number of vehicles parked on nature strips,” a council spokeswoman said.

“For subsequent complaints and offences, infringement notices may be issued.”

Since 2022, the council has also installed about 210 “narrow street” signs across 30 suburbs reminding people of the rules.

The council spokeswoman said it adhered to the transport and parking legislation outlined by the Queensland government under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995, which ensured “safety and access while minimising damage to underground facilities, such as pipes, and preventing road erosion”.

A Logan City Council spokeswoman said on “narrow roads”, motorists could park two wheels on the kerb to allow three metres of clear road between their vehicle and other parked cars.

“Drivers are encouraged to use their garages, carports and driveways on private property to minimise the number of vehicles parked on streets,” she said.