Trickster blamed after ‘outrageous’ parking fines issued by Glen Eira City Council in Ormond

Residents in Melbourne’s southeast were fuming after being fined for parking outside their homes on a street that has always been unrestricted — but the council is blaming a trickster for the bungle.

Locals living on Malane St in Ormond were mistakenly slapped with parking fines. Picture: Supplied

A local council in Melbourne’s southeast has pointed the finger at a trickster and their “unusual” stunt after residents of a street were mistakenly slapped with parking fines.

Locals living on Malane St in Ormond on Tuesday evening returned home from work and were shocked to find their cars, which were parked on the street, had each been issued with a $96 parking fine.

But in a statement, Glen Eira City Council on Wednesday afternoon revealed that parking signs on the street had recently been “tampered with” and apologised to the residents who “inadvertently received parking fines as a result”.

Acting Glen Eira City Council chief executive Kellie Vise said it was “very unusual” that someone had gone to the lengths of modifying an existing 2P parking sign and installing an entirely new one in the street.

“We found out about the issue late on Tuesday and have fixed the signage, but unfortunately parking officers had already issued the fines,” she said.

“It goes without saying that we urge people not to tamper with or install their own parking signage, and we do apologise to those who were caught up as a result.”

All the fines have now been cancelled.

The 2P parking sign has now been removed. Picture: Supplied

Parking on the street has always been unrestricted, meaning those living on the street do not need a residential permit.

But some residents remain unconvinced by the council’s response, querying why parking inspectors were in their street on Tuesday if parking on the street was meant to remain unrestricted.

Malane St resident Tony Pick told the Herald Sun on Wednesday morning it was “too convenient to be a coincidence”.

“What are the chances of fraudsters modifying signage on a random site street on the same day or immediately after council parking inspectors happen to do a blitz?” Mr Pick said.

“I look forward to the fraudsters being brought to justice and await the council’s explanation as to what motivated them to put up a P2 sign.”

Before learning of the prank, a fellow resident said it was “outrageous” the council would introduce two-hour parking on the street, but not formally notify residents of the change.

She said she had no problem if the council wanted to introduce parking restrictions on Malane St, since it was often crowded with the cars of commuters who walk to the nearby train station.

“But if you’re going to introduce restrictions, you’ve got to tell the residents,” she said.

Several residents fired off complaints to the council on Tuesday night.

In an email seen by the Herald Sun, an employee from Glen Eira City Council told the resident on Wednesday morning an investigation had revealed that “signage in this location has been fraudulently modified by unknown parties”.

“This has since been rectified by council traffic engineers and all infringements issued yesterday have been cancelled,” the email read.

“This will be followed up by a letter-drop in the location.

“My apologies for the inconvenience.”