Geelong council to crackdown on illegal parking as part of 2024-25 budget measures

City Hall is forecasting a dramatic increase in revenue from parking fines in the next 12 months. Don’t say you weren’t warned!

The City of Greater Geelong is budgeting for a big increase in parking fines. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Geelong council is set to crackdown on motorists parking illegally as it seeks “creative” ways to balance its books.

City Hall’s 2024-25 budget, endorsed by councillors on Tuesday night, forecasts a dramatic 68 per cent increase in revenue from parking infringements in the next 12 months.

Tucked away on page 40 of the document was an ominous warning to those thinking of flouting local laws: “Increased parking compliance resourcing is expected to generate additional income from infringements.”

This is expected to reap $6.7m during the period, well above the almost $4m generated in 2023/24.

All levels of parking infringements will increase by around 3 per cent, ranging from $99 for overstaying an allotted time to $198 for parking in a no standing area or disabled bay.

Income from permits issued by council is also budgeted to increase due to an “expected increase in pricing and volume”, up $1.3m to $7.4m.

Collectively, City Hall is expected to generate $19.7m from statutory fees and fines in 2024/25, an increase of 21 per cent and representing almost 3 per cent of its total revenue of $673m.

An increase in membership fees at the council’s aquatic facilities is set to come into effect on July 18.

The fortnightly rate of Webstar’s swim school will rise $3.40 to $37.50 per child, while the cost of a 25 visit swimming pass for an adult jumps $11.25 to $194.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, councillor Sarah Hathway introduced a last-minute amendment that will see City Hall investigate ways it can make the recently opened $66m Norlane Aquatic Recreation Centre more affordable for residents of Geelong’s northern suburbs.

The move came after she was contacted by several constituents of the 3214 and 3215 postcodes who said the current charges limited their ability to access the hub.

Rates and charges are far and away the biggest driver of council’s income at $324m.

The average residential rate is up 4.5 per cent to $1545, but the council has been able to meet the state government’s legislated annual rate cap of 2.75 by reducing commercial rates by 5 per cent.

Councillor Bruce Harwood said the rate cap was “light”, resulting in council having to be increasingly “more creative in other areas of deriving income”.

Geelong councillor and former mayor Bruce Harwood. Picture: Glenn Ferguson.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said council was facing a “very tight operating environment”.

“On the whole, this is a well-balanced and responsible budget that will deliver an exciting list of projects, services and facilities for the community right across our region,” he said.

The waste charge, which does not form part of the rate cap, has increased 3.5 per cent to $473.25.

This money covers the cost of rubbish collection, recycling and landfill disposal.

Almost 350 budget submissions were made during a month-long public consultation period.

Originally published as Geelong council to crackdown on illegal parking as part of 2024-25 budget measures