By Abbey Cannan
A volunteer wildlife rescuer in Noosa is calling on Council to have some “compassion” as he plans to fight a parking fine he received while rescuing a pelican.
Goetz von Schweinfurth, who spends his days rescuing local wildlife and delivering them to wildlife hospitals and carers for rehabilitation, is taking his $100 parking fine to court after Noosa Council officers refused to revoke the infringement.
Goetz said it was not about the money, but the principle of the matter.
“I’ve been rescuing wildlife for 18 years in the Noosa Council area and never had a problem until I decided to apply for a parking permit to be closer to the wildlife, especially along the Noosa River because we get at least four animals a week there with fish hooks in them,” he said.
“I asked the council if they would be able to, under their discretionary powers, enable me to park there to rescue injured animals.
“All of a sudden I’ve received a parking infringement notice for $100, while I was urgently picking up fish from The Boathouse to catch an injured animal. I was only there for five minutes, no longer. I emptied the fish and went back to The Boathouse to give the bucket back and within that time they gave me the fine.
“I had my emergency blinkers on and my signs on my car which says I’m doing a wildlife rescue.”
As a volunteer, Goetz said he was shocked and upset at the infringement from council parking officers.
“I don’t get paid for this. I’m a volunteer and I’m doing a community service which council is not involved with. We need people here who care about the wildlife. All they seem to be focused on is giving a fine,” he said.
“People ring me up and I get an average of 23 calls a week and I’m out there for the animals. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a kangaroo that’s been hit on Eumundi Road or a snake in a house, we are there.
“Council knows my car and my registration number. Why should they be so vindictive and come after me when they know I’m there nearly every day?
“Now I’ve got no choice except to go to court and explain myself to the magistrate because I feel this is a very serious issue.”
Goetz said he was no stranger to fighting for the right cause.
For 30 years he worked in Papua New Guinea as a patrol officer with the Australian and British governments, moving to consultancy after independence. His services to the community were recognised by the Queen who awarded him an Order of the British Empire (OBE).
“It’s about commonsense and compassion,” he said.
A Noosa Council spokesmen said they had endeavoured to work with Mr Goetz to allow him to carry out his wildlife rescue work.
“Council considered Mr Goetz’s application for a parking permit to park for longer than signed. Such a permit does not allow someone to park illegally in loading zones, park land or authorised officer bays,” Local Laws Manager Sunil Kushor said.
“These are offered in good faith and we expect them to be used in accordance with the parking regulations.
“Our officers have been very accommodating regarding this individual and have had numerous discussions requesting him to comply with the timed parking regulations.
“While we appreciate the good work, he does rescuing animals, we have informed the individual that doesn’t give him the right to park illegally or in specially designated disability bays,” Mr Kushor said.
Mr Kushor said anyone who wished to appeal a parking fine had the ability to lodge a submission through the Administrative Appeals process.
