CHARGES for parking will come into effect at the Roma Airport from Monday, October 8, as announced by Maranoa Regional Council.

The first hour of use will be free, but each additional hour is $2, with a maximum daily charge of $10.

The council has also endorsed a strategy to seek funding to build an additional 160 car parks at the airport, due to overcrowding on weekends, which was announced at the council meeting last Wednesday.

The Western Star has received complaints on Facebook regarding the shortage of parking at the Roma Airport.

Local resident Helen Beitz wrote of her troubles with finding a park on September 16.

"Could not get a park today and had to leave elderly relatives on their own to get on the plane. "There were so many rentacars and oil and gas vehicles that there was not one park for us mere locals, even right down the back. "Not impressed!"

Maranoa Regional Council director of infrastructure Barry Omundson said there were 168 public car parking bays at the Roma Airport.

"Many public parking bays are taken up by FIFO vehicles left at the airport for use on their renters' return, some are also rental car returns left in the wrong area by their drivers," he said.

"Until the airport introduces management of the parking area through implementation of the paid parking regime, this situation is unavoidable.

"It is anticipated that the introduction of paid parking will greatly reduce the number of vehicles left at the airport long term, freeing up short term bays."