Local driver gets hit with ticketless parking fines: 'They didn't know that's a rule either'
- Replies 9
Navigating bustling streets can be a challenge, especially when finding a parking spot.
This common urban struggle turned into a financial nightmare for one woman.
Sydney local Kate, whose last name was withheld, shared her distressing experience last month as she tried to find parking near the Metro station at Tallawong.
After a while, she found a secure parking spot within walking distance from the station.
With no visible 'No Parking' signs and other cars already parked, Kate thought it was safe to park there.
She first parked on the spot on Monday, 9 September, and on two other occasions that same week.
Later that week, Kate received a shocking $320 parking ticket in the mail for parking next to an unbroken yellow line.
'A lot of people I have spoken to said they did not know that's a rule either, and there were no signs, which made it more confusing,' Kate explained.
'I admit that's my fault for not knowing it's a rule.'
However, two more parking fines of $320 followed, which earned Kate's ire.
'I was really hoping they'd show some leniency on the other two because I wouldn't have made that same mistake if they had left an actual ticket on my car the first time,' Kate lamented.
Kate's frustration came after the Minns Government's recent decision to ban ticketless parking fines.
The change was prompted by motorists' complaints about being unfairly penalised with multiple offences.
The new legislation, introduced by Finance Minister Courtney Houssos on 26 September, required council rangers to issue physical tickets.
However, the law had not yet passed, which makes ticketless fines still legal.
According to Revenue NSW, councils in NSW have collected over $158 million from ticketless parking from June 2023 to 2024.
The top three councils that have issued these ticketless parking fines were the City of Sydney Council, Canterbury-Bankstown Council, and the North Sydney Council.
Kate's fines, however, were issued by Blacktown Council.
'Since 2013, Blacktown City has always issued tickets by placing them under vehicle windscreen wipers,' a Blacktown Council spokesperson stated.
'However, please note that on some occasions, a physical ticket is not issued for safety reasons. For example, instances of aggressive behaviour directed at Enforcement Officers.'
Kate lodged a complaint to Revenue NSW, which they rejected.
'The issuing officer may post a fine for a number of reasons, such as when it is not safe to stop or if a vehicle leaves the area before a fine can be issued,' Revenue NSW wrote back to Kate.
The financial burden of nearly $1000 in fines weighed heavily on her.
'I was just quite shocked by the fact that a parking fine is $320. I can understand speeding fines being a little bit more expensive because you're putting other people at risk, but this just feels like revenue raising,' she shared.
This story was a stark reminder for all drivers to stay informed about local parking regulations and to be vigilant for any changes.
Have you ever been caught out by obscure parking rules or ticketless fines? Share your experiences and tips for avoiding such pitfalls in the comments section below.
This common urban struggle turned into a financial nightmare for one woman.
Sydney local Kate, whose last name was withheld, shared her distressing experience last month as she tried to find parking near the Metro station at Tallawong.
After a while, she found a secure parking spot within walking distance from the station.
With no visible 'No Parking' signs and other cars already parked, Kate thought it was safe to park there.
Ticketless parking fines have been called as a 'legal scam' by drivers. Image Credit: Pexels/Erik Mclean
She first parked on the spot on Monday, 9 September, and on two other occasions that same week.
Later that week, Kate received a shocking $320 parking ticket in the mail for parking next to an unbroken yellow line.
'A lot of people I have spoken to said they did not know that's a rule either, and there were no signs, which made it more confusing,' Kate explained.
'I admit that's my fault for not knowing it's a rule.'
However, two more parking fines of $320 followed, which earned Kate's ire.
'I was really hoping they'd show some leniency on the other two because I wouldn't have made that same mistake if they had left an actual ticket on my car the first time,' Kate lamented.
Kate's frustration came after the Minns Government's recent decision to ban ticketless parking fines.
The change was prompted by motorists' complaints about being unfairly penalised with multiple offences.
The new legislation, introduced by Finance Minister Courtney Houssos on 26 September, required council rangers to issue physical tickets.
However, the law had not yet passed, which makes ticketless fines still legal.
According to Revenue NSW, councils in NSW have collected over $158 million from ticketless parking from June 2023 to 2024.
The top three councils that have issued these ticketless parking fines were the City of Sydney Council, Canterbury-Bankstown Council, and the North Sydney Council.
Kate's fines, however, were issued by Blacktown Council.
'Since 2013, Blacktown City has always issued tickets by placing them under vehicle windscreen wipers,' a Blacktown Council spokesperson stated.
'However, please note that on some occasions, a physical ticket is not issued for safety reasons. For example, instances of aggressive behaviour directed at Enforcement Officers.'
Kate lodged a complaint to Revenue NSW, which they rejected.
'The issuing officer may post a fine for a number of reasons, such as when it is not safe to stop or if a vehicle leaves the area before a fine can be issued,' Revenue NSW wrote back to Kate.
The financial burden of nearly $1000 in fines weighed heavily on her.
'I was just quite shocked by the fact that a parking fine is $320. I can understand speeding fines being a little bit more expensive because you're putting other people at risk, but this just feels like revenue raising,' she shared.
This story was a stark reminder for all drivers to stay informed about local parking regulations and to be vigilant for any changes.
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