Parking fine: Port Phillip council apologises after stinging disabled man for using wheelchair space

A PENSIONER is furious after he was slapped with a $159 fine for using a disabled parking space outside St Kilda Town Hall — even though a valid permit was clearly displayed on his car.

Terry McAsey, 71, was fined for parking in a disabled parking spot in Port Phillip. He has mobility issues and had a disabled sticker displayed. Picture: Josie Hayden

AN ELDERLY Prahran man is furious after he was slapped with a $159 fine for using a disabled parking space — even though he was displaying a valid permit.

Terry McAsey, 71, who suffers mobility issues from extensive leg surgery, was booked just before Christmas while parked outside the St Kilda Town Hall.

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The pensioner said he spent the festive period stressing about the fine.

It was withdrawn in January, but Mr McAsey said he wanted the council to explain its mistake and felt elderly people were being targeted.

Mr McAsey wrote to the council to ask them to review the fine. Picture: Josie Hayden

Mr McAsey had a permit displayed at the time he was fined. Picture: Josie Hayden

“I’d like to see it investigated. How could they print the ticket with the label staring them in the face?” Mr McAsey said.

“I’ve got a theory that they’re booking elderly people because they’re not willing to fight. “People always ask the question — are (parking officers) on quotas or are they on commission?”

Port Phillip Mayor Bernadene Voss said an apology letter would be sent to Mr McAsey and the parking officer who wrote the ticked had received additional training.

The pensioner was stunned to find a $159 fine on his windscreen. Picture: Josie Hayden

The council accepted it was in the wrong and withdrew the fine. Picture: Josie Hayden

“This was an honest mistake and the fact the fine was withdrawn clearly shows it was not related to revenue raising,” Cr Voss said.

“Unfortunately, parking officers encounter fake permits and fraudulent use of permits, which disadvantages those in our community who genuinely need access to parking.

“This particular disability parking permit did not have a hologram, which is normally present on permits.”

Port Phillip Council collected almost $15 million in parking fine revenue last financial year, and just 4.8 per cent of the 162,131 infringements issued were withdrawn.

The council prosecuted five people in December for using fake disability permits.

To appeal a parking fine, visit portphillip.vic.gov.au/parking_infringements.htm