Fury as driver slapped with $275 fine for street parking in Sydney

A Sydney woman has been slapped with a hefty fine for a small parking mishap. Did you know this wasn’t allowed?

A Sydney woman has been left shocked after finding she had been slapped with a $275 fine after a tiny parking mishap.

Elly Belfort from Summer Hill arrived home last week to find her street jam packed with cars.

As a result she was forced to look for an alternative and managed to squeeze her Mini Cooper into a tight spot behind another car.

But the next morning Ms Belfort woke up to a terrible surprise after being hit with a $275 fine left on her windscreen, reports Yahoo News Australia.

The resident was accused of parking across the driveway by a tiny distance but a picture taken shows the drive was not blocked.

“I assumed [the neighbours] probably called the council because I find it really hard to believe that a ranger would fine a car parked like that,” she told the publication.

“I’ve parked my car like that many other times in many other places and never had an issue.”

Elly Belfort was slapped with a $250 fine for parking like this. Picture: Elly Belfort / Facebook

Ms Belfort revealed she has an ongoing knee issue which makes it difficult to walk long distances, and was desperate to find a spot close to home.

She also had a run in with her neighbours as recently as two weeks ago, who complained about her parking near their driveway.

Ms Belfort said: “A few weeks ago I parked there. I heard [the neighbours] start yelling at me saying ‘how do you expect me to drive away you’re blocking my driveway.

“They had no manners. They said they’re going to call the council.”

Ms Belfort then shared a photo on Facebook, saying she was “perplexed” by the fine – and others overwhelmingly agreed.

One commented: “Oh that’s just nasty. I would contest that.”

“It’s close, but I can’t see that you’re obstructing the driveway at all. There is plenty of room to drive in and out,” said another.

One pointed out the “car is clearly overhanging the wing of the driveway,” meaning she had technically parked in front of it.

“My general rule is to ensure my car doesn’t pass where the kerb begins to dip for the driveway,” another explained.

Ms Belfort said she was going to appeal the decision but was harbouring “little hope” it would be overturned.

A spokesperson for Inner West Council confirmed they had received her appeal but insisted Ms Belfort was in the wrong.

They said: “Road rules note that no part of the vehicle should be on or across the driveway (including the layback).

“However, in this case, Council has reviewed the situation and will change the original fine to a caution.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.