"I'm so angry": Man fumes after threatened with fine for sleeping in his van
A Queensland man has taken to social media to share his fury at the local council after he was issued a move-on directive while sleeping in his van.
Mark Pemberton shared his story on the Facebook page Van Life Australia, recounting how council workers shone a torch into the window of his van which was parked on a suburban street.
“I’m so angry,” he wrote.
“Last night (Tuesday) I parked in a very quiet spot at around 8pm. (Gold Coast) 10.50pm, council came around and knock (sic) on the door.
“They were very nice, but told me it was a $680 fine for sleeping in the street in a van and I had to move.”
He then questioned why he had been approached while countless other people who were sleeping rough in Surfers Paradise were left alone by Gold Coast Council workers.
“Now the thing is, I live in a unit in Surfers Paradise. I was in the van for various reasons,” he continued.
Image: Daily Mail Australia
“I see the homeless drunk, swearing, begging and sleeping in the street on a daily basis in the middle of Surfers.
“I also see a guy who I won’t name, but is semi-famous and walks around in a bikini, sleeps in the street cuddling a teddy.”
Mr Pemberton questioned why the council thought it was acceptable to let that individual walk around in public in front of kids, when he wasn’t allowed to sleep “down a dark street in a registered vehicle”.
“This is ridiculous. This is not about an individual, this is about the stupidity of the Council,” he concluded.
Though his post generated plenty of discussion, it has since been deleted by page administrators.
The former business executive who once earned a $200,000 salary is now unemployed, with the pandemic and other personal circumstances seeing him “lose everything”.
“My van is registered and roadworthy and was also legally parked on a street in Paradise Point,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
He recalled being almost asleep when two council workers shone a torch into his van.
“I explained my situation and I will say they were sympathetic, but I was told I had to move on elsewhere,” he told the publication.
“I understand they are doing their job, but surely the council could focus on other issues at hand?”
Mark Pemberton was inspired to take up living the van life after his travels through Europe. Image: Herc the Merc (Facebook)
Mr Pemberton said the council should focus on addressing issues such as “homelessness and mental health”, rather than “people minding their own business in a registered van”.
Having lived out of a van during his previous travels through Europe, Mr Pemberton is convinced it is the lifestyle for him.
“After my personal dramas, van life was great for mental health,” he said.
“I understand it isn’t for everyone, but in my eyes it is a great opportunity to see the world differently.”
Image: Mark J Pemberton (Facebook)