article_snippet.sent: Meter Maids have a long history synonymous with the sandy beaches of Queensland's most sought-after holiday destination, but time may have run out for The Gold Coast icons.
article_snippet.sent: 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.
article_snippet.sent: Local business owners have labelled Surfers Paradise Meter Maids as outdated and were no longer providing a service .
article_snippet.sent: The controversial move involved young women dressed in gold bikinis walking the main tourist strip and placing money into expired meters, according to the Surfers Paradise Meter Maids website.
article_snippet.sent: local business owners believe Meter Maids are violating the council's anti-touting laws by spruiking branded merchandise, which Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce president Peter Yared says makes the group a business now. '
article_snippet.sent: News Corp. 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 the newly installed parking meters .
article_snippet.sent: Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce's Peter Yared said Meter Maids were no longer relevant as parking meters were now electronic and Meter Maids had not kept up with the changing times. '
article_snippet.sent: But Surfers Paradise Meter Maids general manager Michael Yarwood told Daily Mail Australia the chamber of commerce was taking 'a terribly ill-informed position'. '
article_snippet.sent: The tourists love and embrace Meter Maids because Meter Maids are quintessentially part of Meter Maids Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise experience,'
article_snippet.sent: Surfers Paradise Meter Maids general manager Michael Yarwood said. '
article_snippet.sent: But Surfers Paradise Meter Maids general manager Michael Yarwood told Daily Mail Australia said the chamber of commerce was taking 'a terribly ill-informed position' Surfers Paradise Meter Maids general manager Michael Yarwood said Meter Maids were 'quinessentially' part of the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise scene .
article_snippet.sent: Surfers Paradise Meter Maids general manager Michael Yarwood said Meter Maids brought good memories for many people who had an idyllic beachside holiday at the destination . '
article_snippet.sent: Surfers Paradise Meter Maids general manager Michael Yarwood said Meter Maids were the 'under-utilised resource' to help revamp the region. '
article_snippet.sent: Meter Maids invoke in most people that wonderful memory of that beachside holiday in Surfers Paradise,' Surfers Paradise Meter Maids general manager Michael Yarwood said. '
article_snippet.sent: We [The Meter Maids] are the only bit of sunshine.
highlights_snippet.sent: Business leaders are calling for the end of Surfers Paradise Meter Maids .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: But Meter Maids general manager says Maids are part of Gold Coast culture .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Meter Maids general manager said Maids were an 'under-utilised resource' to help revamp the region .