The Newman Government will increase fines in an effort to crack down on people illegally parking in disabled parking bays.
Fines will be increased for anyone found to be misusing car parks designated for people with a disability.
Later this year anyone without a valid disability permit parking in a disabled area in Bundaberg or the Burnett will be hit with a fine of up to $220.
The sad fact is in order to get a closer park and save themselves a few extra minutes some motorists are parking in designated disability parking bays.
There is no excuse for this kind of behaviour particularly when it can have such a negative impact on our disabled community.
Earlier this year a number of groups raised concerns with me about this issue particularly if people have a condition that limits how far they can walk and need access to closer car parking.
Every year we receive complaints from people who uncover drivers misusing car parks and from 2008-2012 more than 5800 tickets were issued by the Queensland Police Service.
A disability parking permit is granted to anyone when their ability to walk is severely restricted by a medical condition or disability.
The increase will bring the State Government into line with several local councils.
The Brisbane City, Fraser Coast and Barcaldine Regional Councils already impose a $220 penalty for anyone stopping in a disabled parking area.
While the changes we have announced will bring our penalties closer to these councils, it is difficult to be completely consistent across the entire State.
As councils retain the power to impose set parking laws and fines we see a disparity across Queensland which is frustrating for motorists and authorities.
While these changes will help to reduce the disparity between fines for disability parking, the department is currently reviewing all parking penalties to achieve better consistencies between state and local laws.