We have got it maid

Jane Emerick
Bikiniclad meter maids could soften the blow of new parking meters at Torquay.
The women would monitor controversial parking meters scheduled for surf beach car parks at Torquay, Jan Juc and Anglesea next summer.
Armed with change, the maids would place coins in expired machines to prevent parking fines while also serving as tourist attractions.
Similar schemes operate on Queensland’s Gold Coast and in Hollywood.
Surf Coast Shire councillor Roly Livingstone suggested the maids to compensate for community anger at the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee plan for the meters.
“I support the idea of meter maids on the Surf Coast,” Cr Livingstone said.
“I suppose there could be meter men but females seem to have a lien on that line of employment.
“It’s a pity GORCC has to rely on parking meters to fund itself. It (GORCC) is a State Government creation and you would think the state would fund it adequately.
“But if businesses are concerned about the impact (of the meters) on business, then employing a meter maid is an option.”
Torquay Commerce and Tourism Association president David Muir said his group had also discussed hiring meter maids
The association would use the maids, who it preferred to call “meter monitors”, as a “last resort to embarrass GORCC”, Mr Muir said.
He considered paid parking out of step with State Government tourism policy.
“Parking meters completely go against the Government’s newly released tourism budget, which indicates increased funding for regional Victoria tourism destinations,” he said.
“The left hand is giving money while the right hand is taking away from the community and tourism satisfaction, which you can’t measure in dollars.
Mr Muir said the association was “very disappointed” with the coast committee.
“They’re not looking at the big picture and we question their management.”
Mr Muir said the association was considering whether to form a special group to fight the parking meters.
“We support Torquay Boardriders and the community associations against the meters,” he said.
“We’d like all the groups to get together with GORCC to create a resolution that meets everyone’s needs.”
Mr Muir asked anyone wanting to join discussions on the meters to email him at david@stayintorquay.com.au.
Gold Coast Meter Maids owner Roberta Aitchison expressed interest in showing Torquay “how it’s done”.
Ms Aitchison said she would be happy to send staff to train Torquay maids.
“If Torquay is interested in meter maids why not fly the real thing down and make the launch something spectacular that everyone will remember.”
The coast committee announced last month plans to operate paid parking annually from December 1 to April 30 at Torquay’s Back Beach and Surf Beach Drive, Jan Juc’s threetier car park and Anglesea’s Four Kings parking area. Charges would be $1 an hour or $5 all day.