Glen Eira Council under scrutiny for school parking fines
Scores of furious parents hit with hefty “unexplained” fines while using Kiss and Go zones near schools in Melbourne’s south are campaigning to have them overturned after the council refused to clarify how they had broken the law.
Inner South
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Glen Eira parents have launched a campaign to overturn dozens of parking fines issued near schools they say are unfair and totally confusing.
Mum Keren Barak is leading the fight, after being stung with a $161 fine for parking in a Kiss and Go area near Coatesville Primary School in Bentleigh East on June 12.
Ms Barak says she wasn’t fined for overstaying, but for “Stopping Contrary to a No Stopping Sign” — and is furious after the council refused to explain how she broke the law, or provide any evidence due to not being able to take photos near schools.
She said since putting a Facebook post up about the fine, almost 30 others had come forward with similar experiences in Kiss and Go spots.
“You’re allowed to park there for two minutes and if I’d done the wrong thing, I would pay it but it’s just not the case,” Ms Barak said.
“You can’t be sending a fine without explaining it or showing me evidence. How can that be fair?”
Ms Barak is now collating all the fines from fellow residents, and will write to the council to get them explained and overturned.
“I’ve been parking there for eight years so I know the rules, and they haven’t suddenly changed,” the mum-of-two said.
“They think it’s easy money because they can’t take photos so don’t really have to prove it (and) it’s obviously not just me. They’re fining everyone.”
Many other parents confirmed to the Leader they had received fines for stopping at Kiss and Go spots.
Mum Lisa Carter said she got two tickets in two consecutive days when dropping off her daughter and disabled son, despite seeing and being warned about the parking inspectors and being extra cautious.
“When I called the council to ask for photos … they said she didn’t legally have to, her word is enough,” Ms Carter said.
“Not only being a single mum that can’t afford to pay two $161 fines, I am time poor and don’t have the time running around fighting something that I didn't do.”
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Other parents reported getting fines at Bentleigh East’s Valkstone Primary School and nearby areas, with one mum saying she will contest three fines she received.
“Child jumps out and goes. No idea what the (fines are) for,” Biana Borg said.
Bee Green said she’d recently paid an unfair fine for parking at Tucker Rd.
“My husband was in car and stopped while I jumped in car from drop off — literally would have been a few minutes with car running. Mine was $150,” she said.
Another said Glen Eira had issued a ticket when she had parked for less than 10 minutes at a drop off spot at Bentleigh West Primary School.
“Council is just making profit with fines,” she said.
Kiss and Go zones are designed for quick entry and exit to minimise congestion and risk.
A government website states: “These zones operate under the same conditions as no parking zones, which means you may stop to drop off or pick up children for a maximum of two minutes”.
“You’re required to remain in, or within three metres of your vehicle,” it says.
Glen Eira Council did not respond by deadline.
Have you received a fine after using a Kiss and Go area? Leave a comment below.
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