By Juliano Oliveira
Brisbane parking meters have been turned off, and fees at King George Square and Wickham Terrace car parks cut to $5-a-day during the COVID-19 lockdown in a move to assist essential workers.
Around 8000 parking meters will remain switched off, while the two major inner-city car parks will keep reduced prices seven days a week until further notice.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the initiative would save commuters $30-a-day by parking at King George Square and Wickham Terrace, with the maximum daily fee usually $35.
“We don’t know how long this current lockdown will go on for given the number of cases involving the Delta variant which are occurring in the community,” Cr Schrinner said.
“This measure will mean doctors, nurses, and many other essential workers who still need to commute to work can park in any one of our spaces for little or no cost, providing some real hip pocket relief as well as peace of mind.”
Power
Financially vulnerable households in Queensland have been secured from having their power disconnected during the lockdown.
Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said the Australian Energy Regulator has agreed to reintroduce consumer protections that saved thousands of households and small businesses from having their power disconnected or referred to debt collectors during the pandemic.
“Today, the switch has been turned back on to important consumer protections, designed to protect Queensland’s most vulnerable households,” Mr de Brenni said.
“They mean they won’t have their power turned off, and they won’t be referred to debt collectors. There is real pain out there.
“Figures show that 13,000 Queensland families are severely impacted by COVID-19 and in electricity debt.”