Parking fines raise millions more than expected across Brisbane

Parking fines across Brisbane brought in millions more than expected during the second half of last year.

New documents released with a mid-budget review this week reveal changes in how money is being raised and spent across the city.

Income was below the level budgeted for and expenses were higher during the six-month period to December last year, but council said this was largely attributable to the timing of major events, including the transfer of Metro assets to the state government, and the arrival of government grants.

But a note shows the revenue shortfall was partially offset by increased parking fines. A council representative said about $27 million was raised through infringements – some $6.5 million more than forecast.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the review demonstrated his council’s successful financial management of ratepayer money under difficult economic circumstances, as he blamed the federal government for persistent inflation.

“We said that we will only spend what we can afford … we will continue to run balanced budgets, because that helps keep the pressure off rates,” he told the chamber on Tuesday.

“I think we’re probably the only government anywhere that went into an election promising to spend less rather than more. It’s quite unusual, but the people of Brisbane endorse that approach because they fundamentally know that big spending promises have to come from their pocket.”

The Labor opposition was critical of multiple elements of the review, especially cuts to the City Projects Office.

“It’s clear that this council, led by Adrian Schrinner, is just keeping its nose above water at the moment, and it’s only just able to keep the lights on,” leader Jared Cassidy said.

“Now, you wouldn’t cut $6 million in the staffing budget for city projects unless your intention was to reduce services and infrastructure for our growing city.”

The lord mayor’s office said this reduction in costs was entirely attributable to the end of contracts associated with major projects, including the Metro.

It added that income was on track to be $24 million above budget by June 30, and expenses would be $11.2 million below budget by the same time, despite the trend in the first half of the financial year.

The documents show the range of services provided by local government workers, highlighting the maintenance of almost 30,000 potholes and 384 footpaths, the cutting of more than 19,800 hectares of grass at about 2000 parks, and the removal of about 42,000 pieces of graffiti.

Over the six-month period, about 43 million people caught a bus and 3.3 million caught a ferry. More than 2.7 million people visited council libraries, with more than 4.6 million loans.

Last year this masthead reported on how artificial intelligence was increasingly being used to ping illegal parkers across Brisbane.

In just over three years, drivers fell foul of vehicle-mounted AI detection systems almost 250,000 times.

Margaret Street in the CBD garnered the most parking fines, followed by Wickham Street in Fortitude Valley, Alice Street in the city centre, and Grey Street in South Brisbane.

At the time, about $17.2 million was owed to council in parking fines. About 2.5 per cent of all fines were successfully challenged.

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