Parking fines
Parking fines are a way of encouraging the regular turn-over of vehicles to balance the needs of shoppers, workers, diners and visitors.
Council reviews its fines each year. The below fines apply for the 2023-24 financial year.
| Type of park | Infringement | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket (pay and display) |
| $71 |
| Time restricted (1P, 2P, 3P, etc) | Staying longer than allowed | $71 |
| Loading zone | Staying longer than allowed | $142 |
| Commercial loading zone |
Staying longer than allowed Parking without a permit |
$142 $142 |
| No stopping and No parking |
| $142 |
| Bus zone (unless time limited) | Stopping at any time | $178 |
| Accessible (disabled) parking | Parking without a valid permit displayed | $267 |
| Taxi zone | Stopping at any time | $142 |
| Parallel park | Parking your vehicle facing oncoming traffic | $71 |
| Centre bay | Reversing out of a centre bay | $142 |
Payment methods
You can pay your parking fine:
- In person at Council's customer service centres
- Online
- At an Australia Post office
- By mail to: Cairns Regional Council, PO Box 359, Cairns, QLD, 4870
Additional fees
If you do not pay your parking fee on time you will be sent a reminder notice. There is a standard late fee of $17.30, although this may be higher if you are registered in another state or territory.
If you have not settled your infringement within 56 days, the matter will be referred to SPER (State Penalties Enforcement Register) with additional costs.
Disputed fines
If you believe your parking fine is unjustified, you can apply to waive the fine (see below).
Invalid reasons
Drivers are reminded that they are responsible for ensuring their vehicle is parked according to signage. Council will not waive a fee for:
| TYPE OF FINE | INVALID REASON |
|---|---|
Ticket machines |
|
Accessible parking spaces | Parking in an accessible space without displaying a valid accessible parking permit |
Commercial vehicle loading zone | Not displaying a valid commercial vehicle permit from Cairns Regional Council |
Continuous parking | Vehicle parked longer than the time limit specified |
Bus zone | Any vehicle not classified as a bus |
Taxi zone | Any vehicle other than a taxi |
No parking anytime | Stopping in a no parking zone longer than 2 minutes and driver not present at vehicle |
No stopping anytime |
|
Apply for waiver of fine
You can dispute a fine and ask for it to be waived if you believe it is unjustified. To do this, you can use either:
- online form - complete the online form below OR
- printable form - download and complete the application to waive a parking infringement notice ( PDF, 0.19 MB ). You will need to submit the form:
- in person at one of Council's customer service centres, or
- by email to: regadmin@cairns.qld.gov.au, or
- post to Cairns Regional Council, PO Box 359, Cairns QLD 4870
Last Updated: 30 June 2023
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