Sydney councils issue parking fines despite economic impact of virus
Sydney councils are still issuing parking fines to motorists despite the economic crisis spreading across the state due to coronavirus, with many refusing to even turn parking meters off. HERE’S WHERE YOU’LL GET STUNG.
NSW
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A pandemic and economic meltdown has not stopped Sydney councils and the state government from dishing out parking fines to hapless motorists.
Despite thousands losing their jobs overnight and many suburban streets resembling ghost towns, it can be revealed most councils have refused to either turn parking meters off or stop issuing fines.
But some councils have hit back, saying they simply won’t tolerate motorists parking on footpaths and bus zones.
Blacktown, Georges River, Willoughby, Cumberland, Camden and Canada Bay are among the councils still fining people.
Ryde Council, which is the epicentre of the virus in Sydney and seen many Chinese-based businesses deserted in the past six weeks, is still pressing ahead with fines in hot spots Macquarie Park, Eastwood and West Ryde.
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury condemned the move, saying councils need to calm down and think of the consequences.
“At this point a $110 fine could break a family so I would call on councils not to go hell for leather,” he said.
“What about people who are stuck in Centrelink lines or waiting for more than two hours in the supermarket just to get a few groceries?
“While public order certainly needs to be maintained, the world is not going to end if someone overstays in a parking spot 10 minutes.”
A City of Sydney parking ranger was last week abused by a man, who appeared to film his own attack on the officer.
“The world is falling apart … people are starving on the streets … and you’re still giving out tickets,” the man said.
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Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore announced on Friday, March 20 that City of Sydney has “directed our rangers to use discretion and only issue parking fines or other penalties if there is an imminent public or environmental health or safety risk”.
Inner West Council has taken a similar approach, directing parking officers to prioritise public safety over other enforcement until further notice.
While the council still has meters operating, they have introduced 30 minutes free parking and free parking after 7pm.
A Georges River Council spokesman defended their approach, saying: “We have quite a limited number of meters in our LGA, and plenty of free parking available within close proximity to the high demand locations which are metered”.
“At this stage these meters will continue to collect revenue,” he said.
Canada Bay, Canterbury-Bankstown, Hawkesbury and Camden Councils say their rangers are using “discretion” and Woollahra Council parking meters have been turned off.
“We won’t tolerate people doing the wrong thing and inconveniencing others such as parking on footpaths, ‘No Stopping’ zones or bus stops,” a Canterbury-Bankstown Council spokesman said.
The NSW Government also issues a large number of parking fines via NSW Police.
Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner Mick Corboy said “we have had no change to our parking enforcement”.
The surge in activity around Prince of Wales Hospital has forced Randwick Council to provide temporary parking permits to the hospital for the use of emergency department and intensive care unit staff.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said: “I would encourage all councils to adopt a common-sense approach to parking restrictions and the issuing of parking fines and I commend the City of Sydney Council, which has done just that.
“I know the restrictions currently in place are disrupting everyone’s daily lives but it is important everyone remains calm and respects one another because at the end of the day we are all in this together.”