Stats show Lismore parking fine

DASHING the myth that Lismore City Council is addicted to revenue from parking fines, mayor Dowell has posted a graph comparing it to other NSW regional hubs.

DASHING the myth that Lismore City Council is addicted to revenue from parking fines, mayor Jenny Dowell posted a graph on social media comparing it to other regional hubs in NSW.

"Some people seem to think Lismore Council is too active in issuing parking fines," Mrs Dowell said.

"Check out this comparison with other regional council areas in NSW."

And what a comparison it was.

Armidale, which has a population of 24,400 compared to Lismore's 45,800, issued more than double the number of fines in 2012/13 (2659 compared to 1299).

The number of parking fines issued in Lismore was lower than every other NSW council listed, including Coffs Harbour, Tamworth, Orange, Albury and Port Macquarie.

Lismore collected $181,727 from the fines, compared to Armidale's $351,317.

The Northern Star collated parking fines from the 2012/13 financial year for all Northern Rivers' local government areas from the NSW Office of State Revenue.

In the lead, perhaps not surprisingly, was Byron Shire Council, which issued a whopping 9607 fines at a value of $1.116 million in 2012/13.

In comparison, Penrith City Council in Sydney, with a population almost six times more than Byron, issued 8139 fines at a value of $1.032 million.

Tweed secured runner-up spot in the Northern Rivers, with 3117 fines issued at a value of $582,231.

Coming in third, Ballina Shire Council issued 832 fines at a value of $104,870, while Kyogle Shire Council was next in line, issuing just six fines at a value of $1655.

No parking fines could be found for Richmond Valley Council in 2012/13, but only one fine at a value of $200 was issued in 2010/11.