Australia issues parking fine refunds after $12 million council blunder
- Replies 0
If you’ve ever felt a sting of injustice after receiving a parking fine, you’re not alone—and you might be owed a tidy sum!
In a blunder that’s left hundreds of thousands of Australians fuming, a city council has admitted to overcharging drivers a whopping $12 million in parking fines over the past decade.
Yes, you read that right—$12 million!
The Merri-bek Council (formerly known as Moreland Council), which covers bustling suburbs like Brunswick, Coburg, Pascoe Vale, and parts of Fitzroy North, has revealed that an administrative error dating back to 2013 resulted in an estimated 248,000 fines being overcharged.
On average, each affected driver paid about $50 more than they should have. That’s not just a few coins down the drain—it’s a serious hit to the hip pocket, especially for those of us on a fixed income.
How did this all come to light? According to Oscar Yildiz, the council’s longest-serving councillor, the error was only discovered this month.
‘As a councillor, I want to acknowledge that council made a serious mistake,’ he said. ‘As soon as this came to light, we acted quickly, took responsibility, and established a 12-month refund scheme for those affected. Yes, it will impact our budget, but doing the right thing matters more.’
The council’s CEO, Cathy Henderson, also issued a public apology, saying, ‘Today’s announcement reflects Merri-bek City Council’s commitment to integrity, transparency and fairness.
Now that we have found the mistake, we are fixing it. This is a regrettable historical administrative error, and we apologise for the impact of the overcharge.’
What does this mean for you? If you received a parking fine in the Merri-bek area between 2013 and now, you could be eligible for a refund.
Starting in early July, the council will launch an opt-in refund scheme that will run for a full year.
This gives everyone plenty of time to check their records and claim back what they’re owed.
Not all parking fines are eligible for a refund; however, the refund scheme covers 11 specific types.
These include overstaying the indicated time, failing to pay or follow instructions on parking signs, and stopping where prohibited, such as in No Parking zones or areas designated for bicycles or motorbikes.
Fines can also be refunded if they were issued for parking incorrectly—such as not adhering to the required angle (45 or 90 degrees), not parking fully within a marked bay, or using more bays than allowed for long or wide vehicles.
If you’ve copped any of these fines in the last decade, it’s time to dig out those old council letters or check your email inbox for receipts.
Even if you’ve moved house or changed email addresses, it’s worth contacting the council to see if you’re on their list.
How do you claim your refund? The council will be rolling out an online portal in July where you can check your eligibility and submit your claim.
You’ll likely need to provide some proof of payment or identification, so it’s a good idea to gather any relevant paperwork now.
If you’re not tech-savvy, don’t worry—there will also be a phone line and in-person support at council offices to help you through the process.
Why did this happen? While it’s frustrating to know that such a significant error went unnoticed for so long, the council insists it was a genuine administrative mistake, not an attempt to fleece ratepayers.
All revenue from parking fines, they say, is reinvested into local services and facilities. Still, it’s a timely reminder to always check the details on any fine you receive—and to speak up if something doesn’t seem right.
What about other councils? This incident has brought parking fine practices across Australia into the spotlight.
If you’ve received a fine from another council and suspect something’s amiss, it’s worth contacting them to ask about their refund policies or to challenge the fine.
Councils are required to act fairly and transparently, and this case shows that mistakes can and do happen.
A word to the wise: If you’re ever in doubt about a parking fine, don’t just pay it and forget it.
Councils have appeal processes, and you have the right to ask for a review if you think you’ve been unfairly treated.
And if you’re eligible for a refund in this Merri-bek case, don’t let the opportunity slip by—every dollar counts, especially these days!
Have you ever been stung by a dodgy parking fine? Will you be checking if you’re owed money from this massive bungle? Share your stories, tips, or frustrations in the comments below.
Read more: This tradie fought a $320 fine for a common driving predicament
In a blunder that’s left hundreds of thousands of Australians fuming, a city council has admitted to overcharging drivers a whopping $12 million in parking fines over the past decade.
Yes, you read that right—$12 million!
The Merri-bek Council (formerly known as Moreland Council), which covers bustling suburbs like Brunswick, Coburg, Pascoe Vale, and parts of Fitzroy North, has revealed that an administrative error dating back to 2013 resulted in an estimated 248,000 fines being overcharged.
On average, each affected driver paid about $50 more than they should have. That’s not just a few coins down the drain—it’s a serious hit to the hip pocket, especially for those of us on a fixed income.
Almost 250,000 motorists were overcharged $12 million due to a Merri-bek Council error dating back to 2013. Credit: Julia Gomina / iStock
How did this all come to light? According to Oscar Yildiz, the council’s longest-serving councillor, the error was only discovered this month.
‘As a councillor, I want to acknowledge that council made a serious mistake,’ he said. ‘As soon as this came to light, we acted quickly, took responsibility, and established a 12-month refund scheme for those affected. Yes, it will impact our budget, but doing the right thing matters more.’
The council’s CEO, Cathy Henderson, also issued a public apology, saying, ‘Today’s announcement reflects Merri-bek City Council’s commitment to integrity, transparency and fairness.
What does this mean for you? If you received a parking fine in the Merri-bek area between 2013 and now, you could be eligible for a refund.
Starting in early July, the council will launch an opt-in refund scheme that will run for a full year.
This gives everyone plenty of time to check their records and claim back what they’re owed.
Not all parking fines are eligible for a refund; however, the refund scheme covers 11 specific types.
These include overstaying the indicated time, failing to pay or follow instructions on parking signs, and stopping where prohibited, such as in No Parking zones or areas designated for bicycles or motorbikes.
If you’ve copped any of these fines in the last decade, it’s time to dig out those old council letters or check your email inbox for receipts.
Even if you’ve moved house or changed email addresses, it’s worth contacting the council to see if you’re on their list.
How do you claim your refund? The council will be rolling out an online portal in July where you can check your eligibility and submit your claim.
You’ll likely need to provide some proof of payment or identification, so it’s a good idea to gather any relevant paperwork now.
If you’re not tech-savvy, don’t worry—there will also be a phone line and in-person support at council offices to help you through the process.
All revenue from parking fines, they say, is reinvested into local services and facilities. Still, it’s a timely reminder to always check the details on any fine you receive—and to speak up if something doesn’t seem right.
What about other councils? This incident has brought parking fine practices across Australia into the spotlight.
If you’ve received a fine from another council and suspect something’s amiss, it’s worth contacting them to ask about their refund policies or to challenge the fine.
Councils are required to act fairly and transparently, and this case shows that mistakes can and do happen.
Councils have appeal processes, and you have the right to ask for a review if you think you’ve been unfairly treated.
And if you’re eligible for a refund in this Merri-bek case, don’t let the opportunity slip by—every dollar counts, especially these days!
Read more: This tradie fought a $320 fine for a common driving predicament
