The Gold Coast's famous Meter Maids claim they were approached by authorities on Friday and told they could not go about their work during the Commonwealth Games

The Gold Coast's famous Meter Maids claim they were approached by authorities on Friday and told they could not go about their work during the Commonwealth Games

Authorities are allegedly trying to ban the Gold Coast's Meter Maids from doing their job during the Commonwealth Games.

At least four Maids claim they were approached by authorities on Friday at Cavill Mall and urged to move, but one in particular says she was told she won't be allowed perform her job after the sporting event kicks off on April 4.

'But [wardens] have come up to them, are hassling them and making them embarrassed in front of people, saying "You can't be here, you have no right to be here",' Meter Maids chief executive Roberta Aitchison told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

'The council guy who told my girls they weren't to be there for the Games also said that if he had his way we would be out there all the time. But he said it was a select few who wanted us off the streets for the Games — we seem to be in the same category as the homeless people, let's hide them until it's over.'

The maids claim wardens want to ban them during from walking down Surfers Paradise after the sporting event kicks off on April 4

The maids claim wardens want to ban them during from walking down Surfers Paradise after the sporting event kicks off on April 4

Renowned for their beauty and gold bikinis, the Meter Maids have been a tourist attraction since 1965 and top up meters to help people avoid fines

Renowned for their beauty and gold bikinis, the Meter Maids have been a tourist attraction since 1965 and top up meters to help people avoid fines

The Meter Maids, who are renowned for their beauty and gold bikinis, have been a tourist attraction since 1965 and top up meters to help people avoid fines.

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Started in 1965, Meter Maids were the brainchild of Gold Coast developer Bernie Elsey who introduced the initiative to stave off the bad publicity associated with newly installed parking meters.

The Maids are allowed to sell calendars and beer coolers to tourists from within restricted areas and opened their very own bar on Saturday.

A spokesman for the Gold Coast's city council told the publication the Meter Maids hadn't been asked to move any more than usual. 

'As long as they are not selling anything in the public domain and not encouraging people to go back to their bar and restaurant, they are fine,' a council spokesman said.

The Maids are allowed to sell calendars and beer coolers to tourists from within restricted areas and opened their very own bar on Saturday

The Maids are allowed to sell calendars and beer coolers to tourists from within restricted areas and opened their very own bar on Saturday

A spokesman for the Gold Coast's city council told the publication the Meter Maids hadn't been asked to move any more than usual

A spokesman for the Gold Coast's city council told the publication the Meter Maids hadn't been asked to move any more than usual

 

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