Navigating the urban jungle can be tricky enough without the added hassle of unfair parking fines.

However, what happens when the very signs meant to guide us are hidden from view?

This was the predicament faced by a motorist who was slapped with a $300 fine, sparking a debate on the fairness of such rules.

Juan's story is a cautionary tale for all drivers. After pulling over along William Street in Sydney's CBD to let a friend out, he was fined $300 by a city ranger.

The 'no stopping' sign, hidden behind the lush foliage of a council-planted tree, was invisible to him and other drivers.

A motorist was fined $300 for parking in a ‘no stopping’ zone, but the sign was blocked by a tree planted by the city council. Credits: Facebook / 9News

‘How are drivers supposed to know we can't do something if the sign is completely out of sight, in this case, by a tree planted by the council?’ Juan argued.

‘The last sign you can see when driving towards the intersection is a parking sign, so you would naturally think it is possible to stop after that.’

Juan's attempt to contest the fine, complete with photographic evidence of the obscured sign, was met with rejection. The City of Sydney Council insisted that the signs were clear, despite later actions to trim the tree suggesting otherwise.

This incident raised important questions about the responsibilities of both motorists and councils.

When the City of Sydney Council was asked if they had pruned the tree after the fine was imposed, no direct answer was provided.

However, a spokesperson said, ‘City rangers and tree inspectors proactively report signs that are obstructed by vegetation,’ and the required maintenance will be undertaken upon reporting.

‘It is a motorist’s responsibility to always park legally,’ they asserted.

‘If motorists believe a mistake has been made, they can request a review of the fine through Revenue NSW or elect to have the matter heard in court.’

This was not the first time that parking enforcement had been a source of contention.

Recently, another motorist was fined in Sydney for a similar parking violation due to confusing signs.

In a more previous case, a scooter driver was also fined over parking violations, sparking yet another debate among spectators.

Key Takeaways

• A motorist received a $300 fine for stopping in a 'no stopping' zone, despite the sign being obscured by a bushy tree.
• The City of Sydney Council has stood by the penalty even after the tree was pruned to reveal the previously hidden sign.
• The driver, Juan, contested the fine and provided evidence that the no stopping sign was not visible, but his appeal was rejected.
• The City of Sydney stated it is a motorist's responsibility to park legally and that obscured signs can be reported for maintenance, but did not confirm if the pruning was a result of the fine appeal.

What are your thoughts on Juan’s situation? Have you ever been fined due to an obscured sign? What was your experience in dealing with the council or authority? Share your stories and tips in the comments below!

 

[Sass]

If I found myself in Juan’s situation, I would go to court with the photos providing proof that the sign was completely covered.

 

[DenniP]

Disgusting. The Council is at fault here.

 

[JenH23]

More revenue raising from the Council. I'd take it further as the photos are proof. Councils do this all the time and they don't check the vegetation at all, they are a lazy lot and majority get paid good money for doing nothing. That sort of thing happens all the time in Qld and I'm sure they let the trees grow on purpose.

 

[Roscoe44]

I would elect to have the matter heard in court as the Council are in the wrong.

 

[Rellybee]

It’s the same with roundabouts. Why do they plant tall plants in them and obscure driver’s views??

l agree...this is a big issue in many areas

 

[Lolali]

The sign can be seen.
Common sense would tell a person it's a No Stopping zone near a busy city intersection in a dedicated turning lane.
Just arrogance to think you can stop wherever you like.

I can’t see any sign there, where is it?

 

[Faithworks1]

I do not thik the sign is clear and visible by any stretch of the imagination. That is part of the reason I resigned as a parking officer with Sydney city council years ago and now when I park I make sure there are signs could be done by. When enforcement was done the police parking patrol if signs were not clear signs were reported and not generally acted on until they were fixed

 

[Observer]

I do not thik the sign is clear and visible by any stretch of the imagination. That is part of the reason I resigned as a parking officer with Sydney city council years ago and now when I park I make sure there are signs could be done by. When enforcement was done the police parking patrol if signs were not clear signs were reported and not generally acted on until they were fixed

That would be and probably should be a good approach to take by all parking officers providing it could be looked upon as a 'fair call'.
I do recall one time that I had to deal with some business and it was located on a main road where a Clearway sign (fully visible) stated that one was not permitted to park there after 4.00pm.
I made a point of finishing my appointment by 3.50pm and when I got there at 3.55pm, I already had a ticket on my car. Council was 10 minutes away and by the time I got there at 4.05pm, pointed out where I was parked, that it was impossible to get a ticket after 4.00pm.
Council did the right thing and took the ticket away. Sometimes, some officers, are a little over zealous in accomplishing their work.

 

[SEAN]

don't pay the fine--take it to court.i did & won the case several years ago

 

[Pamsterdam]

He would win if he took it to court.

 

[Annna]

Council places signs.

Council should ensure they are visible.

Rangers have a discretion to use judgement in each instance. This Ranger did not do that.

Ranger should have cautioned the driver, indicated the presence of the sign and then made a priority report of the overgrown shrubbery to Council to have it trimmed so as to avoid the possibility of other motorists missing it.

Juan should have gone/go to the Local Court with:

1. The ticket;
2. A picture of the overgrown shrubbery taken on the day of ticket issue; and
3. A picture of the trimmed shrubbery taken after ticket issue.

He should hand up a declaration with a clear explanation of what occurred on the day and seek the Judge's ruling on the fairness of the ticket issue in the circumstances.

 

[Observer]

Council places signs.

Council should ensure they are visible.

Rangers have a discretion to use judgement in each instance. This Ranger did not do that.

Ranger should have cautioned the driver, indicated the presence of the sign and then made a priority report of the overgrown shrubbery to Council to have it trimmed so as to avoid the possibility of other motorists missing it.

Juan should have gone/go to the Local Court with:

1. The ticket;
2. A picture of the overgrown shrubbery taken on the day of ticket issue; and
3. A picture of the trimmed shrubbery taken after ticket issue.

He should hand up a declaration with a clear explanation of what occurred on the day and seek the Judge's ruling on the fairness of the ticket issue in the circumstances.

Good directives

 

[Ezzy]

A sign isn't covered by that much vegetation overnight. Council employees have been extremely neglegent in their duties. Even the people in charge of the gardening section did not see this & arrange for this to be trimmed. The buck stops @ the top but starts @ the bottom.

The photo taken by Juan l thought shows more vegetation all round than the later photo which makes me believe the 2nd photo was taken after trimming was done.

The whole situation stinks of a council cover-up.

 

[wiskers50]

Council rangers.Lowest form of life on the planet.

 

[Observer]

Council rangers.Lowest form of life on the planet.

It is not them. It is their job and what is expected of them
It's their job you don't like.

 

[joany]

The sign was not clearly visible, the motorist should have been let off . The council should fine themselves for wilful obstruction causing hardship.

 

[IAN3005]

Council rangers.Lowest form of life on the planet.

Not lower than used car salesmen, lawyers and politicians.

 

[Scaveola]

YEs I have a disabled sticker displayed in my car window but gc council tried to fine me any way. After hotly stating this is not going to happen and multiple emails back and forth I went to local member showing my dsp parking ticket. Finally just before it was going to go to court they pulled back and seen common sense that I had dsp parking ticket a few years prior given to me. I could not believe how much they harrased me office workers in gc council who was working there needed glasses before giving fines. They need to re look at things it's a money making rackets

My sister has a disabled sticker and was fined for parking in a disabled spot as the wording had fade slightly. Another lady I know was fined as the sticker had fallen off the windscreen but was lying on the dash and was easily visible.

 

[Jen77au]

My sister has a disabled sticker and was fined for parking in a disabled spot as the wording had fade slightly. Another lady I know was fined as the sticker had fallen off the windscreen but was lying on the dash and was easily visible.

That’s happened to my mum before as well. She was ticketed as the sticker had fallen off the window. Luckily they arrived back at the car the same time the parking officer was doing another round. It was sorted even though he couldn’t remove it from the system, when it came to the fine being sent out they went up and the guy had written a statement saying he hadn’t seen the sticker. Thankfully a decent council worker for once!

 

[Ezzy]

My sister has a disabled sticker and was fined for parking in a disabled spot as the wording had fade slightly. Another lady I know was fined as the sticker had fallen off the windscreen but was lying on the dash and was easily visible.

Those Rangers are real low lives aren't they?