Parking fines raise millions more than expected across Brisbane

Sydney Morning Herald

by William Davis

February 25, 2026

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Parking fines raise millions more than expected across Brisbane

Brisbane's parking fines generated $6.5 million more than anticipated in the second half of last year, providing a financial boost to the city council. This unexpected revenue helped offset a budget shortfall and higher expenses, with income falling short of initial projections due to factors like the timing of major events, including the transfer of Metro assets to the state government and the arrival of grants. Despite these challenges, the council managed to exceed its financial expectations, raising approximately $27 million through parking fines alone. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner highlighted the council's successful financial management under difficult economic conditions, attributing the surplus to careful budgeting and a focus on fiscal responsibility. He emphasized the council's commitment to maintaining balanced budgets, which he believes helps alleviate pressure on rates for residents. However, Schrinner also criticized the federal government for contributing to ongoing inflation, stating that the council has taken steps to avoid overspending. The opposition, led by Jared Cassidy, criticized the council's budget review, particularly the $6 million reduction in the staffing budget for the City Projects Office. They argued that such cuts would reduce services and infrastructure for Brisbane's growing population. The council defended these reductions, attributing them to the completion of major projects like Metro-related contracts. Despite the challenges, the council expects to exceed its budget by $24 million in income and underspend by $11.2 million on expenses by June 30. This financial discipline has allowed Brisbane to maintain essential services, including the maintenance of nearly 30,000 potholes, the cutting of over 19,800 hectares of grass in parks, and the removal of about 42,000 pieces of graffiti. Additionally, public transport usage remained strong, with 43 million bus rides and 3.3 million ferry trips recorded. The review also revealed the effectiveness of AI detection systems in enforcing parking laws, which resulted in over 250,000 fines across Brisbane. Margaret Street in the CBD was

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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/25/2026