As the cost of living crisis continues across the globe, there’s no denying that when it comes to cutting costs, every little bit counts. But that attitude may have gone too far at one beach car park, where vandals tried to send a message to the local council by vandalising two parking meters into disuse in the name of saving cash.

Footage from the scene circulating online shows the words “free parking, every little bit counts” spray-painted on the sign. Furthermore, the footage shows cavity foam stuffed and hardened in every crack of two parking meters, rendering them useless.

Although the desperate act took place on the other side of the world, in a beach car park on the Cornish coast in the UK, the incident, which was reported on social media, has resonated with Australians frustrated by the high prices of beach car parks.

Snap Send Solve CEO Danny Gorog told Yahoo News the company was addressing a broader issue “that we can’t ignore,” as vandalism at beaches in Australia increased by a whopping 129 percent.

Vandalised parking meters could be easily replaced, council says

In response to vandalism at two parking meters in Gwithian, Cornwall, last month, the UK council responsible for parking told Yahoo News that the machines will be replaced.

“Replacement machines and signs are being installed,” the spokesman said. And despite the vandal’s best efforts, beachgoers still have to pay for parking using a cashless parking app.

Parking on the beach has long been a contentious issue, with an Australian man being fined $136 last month for simply “checking the surf” at the popular beach. Someone shared a British video on TikTok saying that “Australians have decided that paying for beach parking is over,” despite the incident taking place in Cornwall. Some Australians responded by congratulating the Cornish vandals for vandalizing the parking meters, saying it was “inspiring,” while some went so far as to say it was “about time,” and even question what was vandalizing the meters, prompting fears of copycat behavior.

“This video made my day, thank you to the person who made it,” said one Australian.

“What is this used for? Requesting a partner,” said the second.

“Now these idiots will try,” added a third.

Vandalism hits a nerve in Australia as parking costs rise

Beach parking charges in Australia are incredibly high – as much as $10 an hour on beaches in Sydney’s north and $9.50 an hour in Bondi – and the fines for misbehaviour can have disastrous financial consequences.

New South Wales councils were today ordered to stop issuing parking tickets despite a 49 per cent increase in the use of the system in the 2023-24 tax year.

Snap Send Solve CEO Danny Gorog told Yahoo that the latest data shows a “significant increase” in vandalism, with beach vandalism up 129 percent year-over-year.

“Keeping our wonderful beaches clean and well-managed is essential for the community to enjoy. Parking meter vandalism is not a minor issue – it reflects broader frustrations that we cannot ignore,” he said.

“It is clear that the community is experiencing a shortage of parking and infrastructure. With summer approaching and the inevitable migration of Australians to the beach, this is a problem that could easily get worse.”

Gorog says beach incidents can be resolved by beachgoers and authorities “working together to solve problems quickly and effectively.”

An Australian woman who recently visited New Zealand was incredulous at how little a parking ticket cost in Auckland – compared to the costs in Australia.

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