‘A disgrace’: Roxy Jacenko disputes her pandemic parking fines
The City of Sydney has responded after Vaucluse publicist Roxy Jacenko said issuing parking fines during the pandemic was a “disgrace”.
Confidential
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The City of Sydney will continue to issue parking fines during the pandemic despite growing complaints from local residents, including celebrity publicist Roxy Jacenko.
Earlier this week, the Vaucluse mum-of-two vented her frustration on social media after being slapped with several $116 infringement notices near her Sweaty Betty office in Paddington.
“This is just a disgrace. I’ve written to City of Sydney about the parking situation in Paddington — without even a reply some two months ago,” Jacenko wrote on Instagram.
“Weekly my team who just try and come to work by means as directed by the government (driving not using public transport due to COVID-19) get parking fines - today’s fines a mere 20 Minutes over.
“Hard enough to keep business running let alone having to run out every hour on the hour. Interestingly this ticketing is targeted to two streets only by our office — enough is enough.
“Shame one has to stoop to using social media in order to get an answer as a land tax paying building owner in their area ... Somethings [sic] got to change.”
Jacenko previously revealed she lost 85 per cent of her multimillion-dollar Sweaty Betty business when the coronavirus pandemic first hit earlier this year.
In a statement to Confidential, a City of Sydney spokeswoman said while parking exceptions have been made for some frontline workers due to unprecedented times, parking regulations are still being enforced.
“The City appreciates that these are difficult and uncertain times. As the impact of COVID-19 has shifted, we have done our best to respond appropriately,” a spokeswoman said.
“More people are working from home than ever before, putting increased pressure on parking availability in our residential areas. Many are also choosing to drive to work, relying on the same limited parking availability.
“This has placed unprecedented pressure on our parking spaces — pressure that would only be exacerbated if we relaxed restrictions further.
“The City is unable to provide free parking permits for all city workers as this would result in unmanageable parking pressure and generate a significant increase in traffic congestion as cars circle looking for parks.”
Jacenko’s office is located near Oxford St, which is the boundary between The City of Sydney and Woollahra Council, which has suspended parking metres during the health crisis.
In March, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore announced the temporary suspension of parking metres due to COVID-19 but reinstated this in May.
“We have directed rangers to use discretion and only issue parking fines/penalties if there’s an imminent health or safety risk. We don’t want to add financial burden. They’ll still be enforcing if needed — so don’t abuse the privilege (like illegally parking in a disabled spot),” Moore tweeted.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced free parking at public hospital car parks for frontline workers in April.
“Our healthcare workers are on the frontline of our battle with COVID-19 and we need to do whatever we can to support them during this difficult time,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We hope this new measure makes life a little easier for our doctors, nurses and other hospital staff who are working hard to keep us all safe.”
However limited parking spots means fines are still being issued to those forced to park elsewhere and who are unable to move their cars every few hours due to long shifts.
Meanwhile, Woollahra Council will continue to suspend parking meters until further notice.
“We turned them off very early on and have received strong positive feedback from the community,” a Woollahra Council spokeswoman said.
City of Sydney’s full statement
The City appreciates that these are difficult and uncertain times.
As the impact of COVID-19 has shifted, we have done our best to respond appropriately. It is important for the City to balance the needs of our entire community – all our residents, businesses and visitors.
Parking enforcement helps us manage issues of safety and risk, but also help us encourage drivers to move on so space is fairly available to all. This is essential for both our residents and our local businesses that require parking turnover.
More people are working from home than ever before, putting increased pressure on parking availability in our residential areas. Many are also choosing to drive to work, relying on the same limited parking availability. This has placed unprecedented pressure on our parking spaces – pressure that would only be exacerbated if we relaxed restrictions further.
The City is unable to provide free parking permits for all city workers as this would result in unmanageable parking pressure and generate a significant increase in traffic congestion as cars circle looking for parks.
We need to enforce parking restrictions to ensure our limited street parking is fairly distributed.
With limited space available, we have prioritised supporting emergency services and front line workers.
The City has issued 1,400 parking permits to emergency workers, including doctors, nurses, NSW Police and Red Cross staff, and provided them with free 24-hour access to our Kings Cross and Goulburn Street car parks. We have also worked with Health Care Australia to facilitate parking that allows nurses who are conducting COVID-19 testing at quarantine hotels quick access.
We will continue working to ensure those who need parking most have it available to them, and that parking spots are fairly distributed.
We thank residents and workers for their understanding during this difficult time.
Disputes about parking fines should be directed to Revenue NSW.