Brisbane City Council waives parking fines at Willawong captured by covert cameras

COVERT security cameras designed to nab illegal dumpers instead raked in more than $78,000 in parking fines. But now there’s another twist.

Troy Bredhauer and dog, Jess, at the site where he received the Brisbane City Council fine. Picture: JOHN GASS

BRISBANE City Council has had a change of heart, waiving more than $38,000 of fines issued for offences captured on covert security cameras at Willawong.

The Southern Star reported in February that council issued 143 fines, worth $589 each, to people parked beside a poorly-marked road at Bowhill Rd between July 2015 and February 2016.

The residents were fined for the offence “enter, use or remain on council land in contravention of a restriction condition” after being spotted on security cameras installed to capture people engaged in illegal dumping.

A council spokesman said 66 fines were waived as a result of council’s independent three-stage review process.

“The review process assessed each representation on a case-by-case basis and addressed matters such as the legality of the infringement notice, the accuracy of the evidence and facts and personal circumstances of the person fined,” he said.

Councillor Steve Griffiths (Moorooka) said he welcomed council’s “commonsense outcome”.

“Each infringement needs to be assessed on an individual basis, however people should not be fined $580-plus for parking and walking their dogs. The whole purpose of the cameras was to catch people illegally ­dumping.”

Acacia Ridge resident Troy Bredhauer said his fine was waived and he was “very happy with the result”.

“It’s a fair outcome.” he said.

■ Brisbane City Council issued 143 infringement notices between July 2015 and February 2016

■ The fines were $589 each

■ As of April 29, Brisbane City Council had waived 66 of the infringement notices it had issued