- Gold Coast mayor slammed online for parking in surf lifesaving emergency park
- Mayor Tom Tate’s $200,000 car was pictured in an emergency park on Tuesday
- A disgruntled Gold Coast woman said he had ‘no respect for the law whatsoever’
- The Gold Coast Council claimed Mayor Tate had permission to park in the space
The Gold Coast mayor has been slammed on social media after being caught parking in an emergency zone while he attended a social event.
Gold Coast resident Tania Thompson took to the internet on Tuesday to post a photo of Mayor Tom Tate’s $200,000 Range Rover in a parking spot reserved for emergency surf lifesaving vehicles.
‘No respect for the law whatsoever. We watched him drive along and park straight opposite the venue and right into the space left vacant for surf lifesaving vehicles/ emergency vehicles,’ she said.
Gold Coast resident took to the internet to post this photo of Mayor Tom Tate’s $200,000 Range Rover in the parking spot
Councillor Tate reportedly parked in the emergency space on Tuesday night to attend a horse racing event on the beach across the road.
A ‘no standing’ sign was clearly visible at the parking space, which is controlled by the Gold Coast Council.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, a Gold Coast Council spokeswoman said the mayor’s vehicle ‘had appropriate permission to park in this spot at the time’.
She confirmed he was attending Magic Millions – a horse racing event on the beach – and parked in the space to gain quick access.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, a Gold Coast Council spokeswoman said Mayor Tate’s (pictured) vehicle ‘had appropriate permission to park in this spot at the time’
Soon after the photo was posted online, angry residents hit out at the mayor and accused him of abusing his privileges.
‘Public servant privileges… disgusting,’ one man said.
‘He is above the law, he’s Tom Tate,’ another critic said.
‘He has his own rules, maybe he was looking for valet to park it,’ a third said.