City of Sydney slammed for issuing millions in parking fine

City of Sydney Council handed out $2.3 million worth of parking fines on one street alone in 2017-18, prompting the Treasurer to accuse them of being wanting to ‘dominate’ the fine rich list.

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The NRMA and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet have slammed the City of Sydney for making $2.3 million in parking fines from just one city street.

Central Sydney can reveal 22 of the top 60 streets in NSW where motorists are most likely to get stung are in City of Sydney.

A Sydney of City ranger issuing a parking infringement on Kent St, Sydney.

The Revenue NSW data reveals City of Sydney Council received $2.3m from Pitt St in 2017-18, making it the most lucrative street in NSW.

This is $285,259 more than what the 2.5km stretch generated in 2016-17, when it also finished first.

The CBD’s Castlereagh, Clarence, Sussex streets, as well as Pyrmont St in Pyrmont – which were all in the top 15 – each made between $650,000 and $1.2m for the council.

“Just because Pitt St is in the city does not justify the council pulling $2.3m from motorists,” NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said.

“That is quite remarkable for one street to be worth that much money.”

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has slammed the council’s conduct. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

City of Sydney had 20 streets in the top 60 during the 2016-17 financial year and two more the year after.

The council made $40.7m from parking fines in 2017-18 compared to $34.1m in 2016-17.

“The City of Sydney seems intent on dominating the top 60 parking fine rich list,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Councils are raking in obscene amounts of money year on year, which clearly has nothing to do with keeping people safe or increasing the turnover of parking.”

The council has defended the fines, pictured is Lord Mayor Clover Moore. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

But a City of Sydney spokeswoman hit back, saying the city’s policies “ensure fair and equitable parking and safety compliance”.

“Any revenue the city collects from parking fines becomes part of its general revenue, which is invested into infrastructure that benefits everyone – upgrading roads, building parks, maintaining our buildings, caring for the vulnerable and supporting the city’s cultural life,” she said.