Parking rules

Parking on footpaths or near intersections may create the following safety hazards:

• Reduce visibility, making it difficult for road users to clearly see and anticipate the intentions of other users.
• Place pedestrians, especially children, in danger when forced onto the road. Some pedestrians need the assistance of mobility devices which also require a little extra room, making it difficult to manoeuvre around cars.
• Vehicles blocking or restricting access can delay emergency services from being able to access businesses or residents.
• Cars parked on footpaths can seriously interfere with access or damage underground infrastructure and services. Fire hydrants, telecommunications, electricity and gas services may be underground and heavy and constant vehicle movements could cause serious damage. Footpaths are not designed for traffic and continual use can further damage to paths causing hazards.

(1) A driver must not stop on a bicycle path, footpath, shared path or dividing strip, or a nature strip adjacent to a length of road in a built-up area, unless the driver-

(a) stops at a place on a length of road, or in an area, to which a parking control sign applies; and

(b) is permitted to stop at that place under this regulation. Maximum penalty - 20 penalty units.

(1A) A driver must not stop on a painted island. Maximum penalty - 20 penalty units.

(1B) A driver must not stop on a traffic island.

(2) Subsections (1) and (1B) do not apply to the rider of a bicycle or animal.

Source: Page 197, #197, www.legislation.qld.gov.au

Always park on the road or in designated areas. Don’t park on the nature strip or obstruct a footpath/cycleway.

198 Obstructing access to and from a footpath, driveway etc.

(1) A driver must not stop on a road in a position that obstructs access by vehicles or pedestrians to or from a footpath ramp or a similar way of access to a footpath, or a bicycle path or passageway unless-

(a) the driver is driving a bus that is dropping off, or picking up, passengers; or
(b) the driver-
(i) stops in a parking bay; and
(ii) is permitted to stop in the parking bay under this regulation. Maximum penalty - 20 penalty units.

(2) A driver must not stop on or across a driveway or other way of access for vehicles travelling to or from adjacent land unless-

(a) the driver - (i) is dropping off or picking up passengers; and (ii) does not leave the vehicle unattended; and (iii) completes the dropping off or picking up of the passengers, and drives on, as soon as practicable and, in any case, within 2 minutes after stopping; or
(b) the driver - (i) stops in a parking bay; and (ii) is permitted to stop in the parking bay under this regulation. Maximum penalty - 20 penalty units.

(3) For subsection (2)(a)(ii), a driver leaves a vehicle unattended if the driver is more than 3m from the closest part of the vehicle.

Source: Page 198, #198, www.legislation.qld.gov.au

Park your car inside the property boundary. Don’t park your car in or over a driveway.

To ensure we maintain the liveability and safety for our residents, there are a few rules when it comes to parking in unmarked areas. These rules ensure access to private property and safety for all road and path users.

Never park your car across a driveway, on a footpath or on the nature strip. Doing this can:

• reduce visibility
• endanger pedestrians, especially the elderly, children and disabled
• block access for emergency services
• interfere with access to or damage underground infrastructure and services.

Always leave a three-metre gap between your vehicle and the other side of the road, the marked centreline or a vehicle parked on the other side of the road.

Parking near an intersection with traffic lights

Always leave a 20m gap from the intersection unless indicated with a parking sign (see diagram below).

Parking near an intersection with no traffic lights

Always leave a 10m gap from the intersection unless indicated with a parking sign (see diagram below).

Loading zones in Toowoomba Region are standard loading zones and may be used according to the following restrictions:

• A bus that is dropping off, or picking up, passengers - 30 minutes
• A truck that is dropping off, or picking up passengers or goods - 30 minutes
• A motor vehicle displaying a commercial vehicle identification label issued by Toowoomba Regional Council - 30 minutes
• Another motor vehicle dropping off, or picking up, goods - 20 minutes
• Another motor vehicle dropping off, or picking up, passengers - 2 minutes or 5 minutes if the driver is dropping off, or picking up, a person with a disability.
• If information on or with the loading zone signs applying to the loading zone indicates another time, the indicated time will override these limits.

A commercial vehicle is "any motor vehicle (excluding a motor car or motorcycle) constructed, fitted or equipped for the carriage of goods". This excludes station wagons and generally excludes all other vehicles under the weight of 4.5 tonnes. A vehicle not covered by the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act's definition may be approved by Council as a commercial vehicle (conditions apply).

A number of free parking spaces are available with a 10 minute limit. These spaces are indicated by a traffic sign which reads P10 minute. Additional parking zones have been set aside for exclusive uses. They are clearly marked with traffic signs.

• Taxi ranks - reserved for taxis
• Bus zones - reserved for buses
• Armoured vehicles only - reserved for armoured security vehicles
• No stopping any time - vehicles are not permitted to stop in these areas at any time
• Two minute pick up and set down - One is located in Duggan St Toowoomba and the other is located on Neil Street near the Toowoomba Bus Station, for the purpose of dropping off and picking up passengers.

Any current disability permit is accepted and must be visible from outside the vehicle. Holders of these permits may also park in any metered space or in a Council off-street car park free of charge.

It is an offence to park within 20m on the approach side of a bus stop and 10m on the departure side.