Huge change coming to ticketless parking fines after outrage in one state
Councils will soon be barred from issuing controversial ticketless parking fines in a move described as a victory for common sense.
Councils will soon be barred from issuing controversial ticketless parking fines in a move described as a victory for common sense.
NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos will legislate the ban of ticketless parking fines this month after councils collected $155million from tickets last year.
The move follows years of complaints from drivers who argued they had no opportunity to contest the fines until it was too late.
The current fine system, introduced under former premier Gladys Berejiklian in 2020, allowed rangers to issue digital fines which drivers would only learn of weeks later.
The gap in time meant drivers were unable to collect evidence - like a photo of their parked vehicle - immediately after receiving the ticket.
Drivers also struggled to recall the details of their parking spot from weeks earlier, meaning they were less likely to contest the infringement.
Frustration among drivers and community members about the ticketless parking system is high - and thats fair enough, Ms Houssos told the Daily Telegraph.
The ticketless parking fine system was introduced by the previous government without regard for the impact on drivers and families.
New South Wales Finance Minister Courtney Houssos will legislate the effective ban of ticketless parking fines this month (stock image)
Recent data showed councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines last financial year, up almost 50 per cent from the year prior.
The new laws will require parking rangers to leave a physical note informing drivers they have been fined.
Supporters of the ticketless system claimed it would reduce confrontation between drivers and rangers.
Rangers will still be allowed to issue a fine without a physical notice in very limited circumstances, including the installation of new warning signs.
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury described the move away from ticketless fining as a way to improve the publics trust in councils.
Ticketless parking fines removed transparency and made it almost impossible for motorists to contest their fine if they felt they had a legitimate case, he said.
Sydney concreter Phillip Foglin was an outspoken critic of the system after he received a fine in the mail three weeks after the act.
Recent data showed councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines last financial year, up almost 50 per cent from the year prior (stock image)
When he requested the council provide photographic evidence he was illegally parked, the fine was dropped.
Its frustrating because I came and went within the hour limit and felt like I had done nothing wrong, yet they could just issue the fine without proof or evidence, Mr Foglin said.
