ENJOYING the Mackay CBD after dusk? You could be parking illegally in a new taxi zone without knowing it.

Due to "the after hours demand for taxis at the Wood St taxi rank", the area directly adjacent in the central median strip is now a taxi rank after loading zone operation times, an email from Mackay City Centre advises nearby businesses.

Before this, motorists were able to use the centre bays as car parks for convenient restaurant access when the loading zone finished at 5pm on weeknights and noon on Saturdays.

"Mackay Taxis have indicated that this area will be operating as an additional taxi queue area given that the existing rank is fully occupied at peak times," the email reads.

"This assists the taxis in providing a prompt service to customers during these times."

While the new taxi zone is now signposted, customers are still parking in the zone illegally, risking a $113 fine for doing so.

"As parking in this area is now illegal, and is hindering the taxis' ability to use this space safely, cars parked in the extended taxi zone are at risk of receiving fines for illegal parking," the email continues.

"Can you please advise customers that this is no longer a valid parking space after hours so the taxis can utilise this loading zone and your customers can avoid receiving parking fines.

"The loading zone near The Coffee Club will continue to operate as normal."

Fines

• $170 - parking in a disabled zone without a label
• $113 - parking in a taxi zone
• $56 - parking contrary to an official sign indicating five minutes
• $56 - parking in a loading zone
• $56 - exceeding parking times allocated - example two-hour zone
• $56 - parking in a no-standing zone

People are given 28 days to pay parking fines before a reminder notice is sent, which includes a $25 service fee. If the fines remain unpaid the council forwards the fine to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry. From there licences can be suspended if the fines are not paid.