QLD Car Towed - Paid to Get It Back

[Clancy]

Not really, sometimes it's just the nature of the environment you work in.

When I commenced employment at the second law firm I worked for, and it was apparent I had some experience in security training and martial arts, I was told that my office was one of several that had a 'buzzer' in it. I was told that if that buzzer went off, I was to start moving towards reception as quickly as possible because it meant that an angry family law client had forced their way into the offices.

This was a medium tier, reputable firm.

I forgot to mention security guards! But if you're not actually employed as a security guard, then you probably should not be grabbing any crazies.

 

[Plaz]

The fact the masquerading street had "City of Gold Coast" branded street signs and partial yellow lines gave Pandanus Avenue, Surfers Paradise a real look of authenticity and it certainly didn't look like a private road.

For 26 years the owners (Ali Holdings No. 3 Pty Ltd) didn't any tow cars from there, then out of the blue, they just started .... Maybe the $250 commission cut from the $550 towing fee (Gold Coast Car Solutions) was just toooooo tempting to pass up ...

Over the past 26 years, the land owner has kept it open and there are some access rights arranged with the QT Hotel next door for their rear service entrance ....apparently.

When Goldie Mayor Tommy Tate learned was going on there, his anger was palpable....

In the mean time don't park in Pandanus Avenue Surfers Paradise!!!

The sooner this whole industry which seems to attract an overabundance of scum as active participants are subjected to some tough regulations with some very sharp teeth, the better off everyone will be.

A youtube video has been posted of one of these unethical tow-aways, from the very street in question no less!!!

An update on the Pandanus Ave, have changed the street completely and official signage removed, large yellow writing painted across street entry noting “Private Property”.

Also got all of our money back later that week from the tow company, given the heat on dodgy tow truck operators, and they insisted they didn’t want to be roped in with that lot. Good outcome.

 

[muz28]

The new laws started on April 16 to protect motorists from cowboy tow truck operators.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statem...s-start-today-to-clean-up-the-towing-industry

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/.../towtruck/0318/Fact-Sheet-Motorists.pdf?la=en

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/...0318/Fact-Sheet-Tow-truck-licence-holders.pdf

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/.../towtruck/0318/Fact-Sheet-Occupiers.pdf?la=en

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/...guidelines-parking-private-property.pdf?la=en

Tow truck (Department of Transport and Main Roads)

 

[Douglas Christie]

I was given a fine by the Brisbane city council and my car was towed by Ready Towing: 32 Turbo Drive, Coorparoo Ph: 3265 0000 Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm Sat: 8am-12pm Sun/POols: closed. Call Brisbane City Council on 07 34038888.

Fine $195
Tow company $246
Total $441

My Facebook page showing parking signs area parked in and other relevant information I will be presenting to the Magistrate in court.

Margaret st brisbane bus tow away not clearly marked

My issue is I paid to park for maximum term until 3pm and everything read as if it was free after that time not the whole side of that road now becomes a tow away bus and taxi area.

Any assistance welcome.

 

[Rob Legat - SBPL]

You mean the sign just down a bit on the southern side of the road from the picture you linked? The one that shows:

Top part: No standing 7am - 9am
Second part: 3 hour parking 9am - 3pm, then 7pm to whenever depending on the day.
Third part: Bus zone 3pm - 7pm
Fourth part: No standing all other times

That’s the sign on Google street view. I’m admittedly a little far away to check it out and don’t go up to Brisbane too often. However, if that is the sign or similar, it clearly shows it is a bus zone and in any case it says no standing all other times than the three hour parking period.

 

[Douglas Christie]

Fourth part states.
All other times taxi (arrow pointing right of sign) This is in opposite direction to parking areas that change to tow away areas and no standing should read also from 3pm to 7pm Monday to Friday.

It doesn't say tow away area left all the way down to Albert st from George st and nowhere ever mentions tow away area anywhere on Margaret st. It is a money grab operation. If there was better signage maybe even a warning at the paystation I would just pay and move on but this seems deliberately vague. Why not just clearly state the place is a tow away area for that section of road?

Are you offering your legal services?

You mean the sign just down a bit on the southern side of the road from the picture you linked? The one that shows:

Top part: No standing 7am - 9am
Second part: 3 hour parking 9am - 3pm, then 7pm to whenever depending on the day.
Third part: Bus zone 3pm - 7pm
Fourth part: No standing all other times

That’s the sign on Google street view. I’m admittedly a little far away to check it out and don’t go up to Brisbane too often. However, if that is the sign or similar, it clearly shows it is a bus zone and in any case it says no standing all other times than the three hour parking period.

 

[Rob Legat - SBPL]

Clearly a different sign by the sounds of it then. I do know from memory that Brisbane City Council are quite stringent about making sure roads in that area are clear for particular times of the day... And I know the chaos it causes when they're not.

And not my area of practice nor my locality. I would say that the host of fighting it will far outstrip the fine itself. If you want to do it on principle that's fine, but you'll likely find that you're paying for that privilege...