Stephen Allthorpe, a 63-year-old driver from Brisbane, has received a $345 fine from the Brisbane City Council for parking his car on a grassy area opposite Shaw Park's volleyball pits and rugby club. The incident occurred on August 9 when Allthorpe arrived at the park to find the car park completely full.
Allthorpe stated he parked on the grass because there were no available car spots. He drove away after his 40-minute walk without realizing he had been booked by the council. He learned of the fine weeks later when he received an infringement notice in the mail. The notice cited "Contravene a sign, notice, lines or markings on carriageways and other areas on council land" as the reason for the penalty.
Confused by the charge, Allthorpe researched the offense online and claimed there were no signs indicating that parking on the grass was prohibited. "If there was a sign, I would not have parked there," he told the Courier Mail. "Nowhere to be found, no council signs. Where do you park in a city that is overloaded? What do you do?"
He expressed frustration with the council's actions, describing them as "greedy" and questioning why the council would not instead provide more parking facilities if they impose such high fines. Allthorpe is currently challenging the fine with the Brisbane City Council. The Daily Mail has contacted the council for comment.