Boroondara Council parking inspector criticised over fines
A parking inspector who dished out fines in Camberwell after blocking off a school parking zone forced people to park illegally, a driver claims. But the council has hit back and denies it issues fines to raise revenue.
Inner East
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A man claims a Boroondara Council parking inspector blocked off parking spots with witches hats to force motorists to park illegally.
Andrew, who didn’t want his real name published, said he and his wife were pinged when she dropped him off for work in Camberwell last September. He said the inspector placed witches hats in the designated drop-off area on Reserve Rd near Camberwell Primary School for no apparent reason, forcing his wife to illegally park further down the street.
Once stopped, she was booked by the inspector, copping a $182 fine, and Andrew said he watched incredulously as other drivers were also fined.
He said he took photos of the incident at the time, but only spoke out publicly last week after his application to have the fine withdrawn was rejected by the council.
To add salt to the wound, he and his wife were further galled to receive a $133 late payment fee for not paying the fine by the due date while it was under review. The total now owed is more than $300, and while they were prepared to pay the original fine amount just so they could wipe their hands of the matter, he noted others who were fined may not be in a financial position to do so.
“There was no tree works, roadworks or any other activity occurring to close the zone. This occurred before 9am in a school zone on a school day,” he said.
“I raised a formal complaint with them (the council) and said this behaviour is unacceptable … (but) I got a response the other day and they said the fine still stands.”
In his written complaint to the council, Andrew said the council officer was clearly trying to “entrap motorists”, and he called for an investigation.
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Boroondara Council spokesman Shiran Wickramasinghe said three out of 76 parking bays on Reserve Rd were cordoned off by staff to allow for “movement of resources” for a civic event held that day.
“The council rejects the allegation we issue parking infringements to raise revenue,” he said.
“This parking infringement was only issued because a motorist chose not to comply with parking restrictions which exist for public safety reasons.”
Mr Wickramasinghe said the fine was referred to Fines Victoria, resulting with the couple being hit with a late payment fee. He said Andrew was asked to fill out a nomination form when he tried to contest the fine, which was issued to his wife as the driver of the car. But because the nomination form was not returned within the designated period and the fine had not been paid, it was referred to Fines Victoria for collection.
“(The) council is satisfied with the parking officer’s conduct,” he said.