Gladys Berejiklian tells councils to ‘ease off a bit’ on parking fines
The Premier has told councils to “ease off” on parking fines, as the City of Sydney Council prepares to resume slugging motorists parking illegally – despite commuters being told to drive into the city and avoid public transport.
NSW
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Gladys Berejiklian has told councils to “ease off” in issuing parking fines and considering the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It comes after the City of Sydney Council prepares to resume “full parking enforcement” from Monday.
The Premier said on Thursday that councils should “consider the situation we're all in” when directing rangers to hand out parking fines.
“I would ask them to consider what stress people are going through … and certainly the pressures that we have because of the reduced capacity on our public transport system.
“So yes my definite response to councils, would be please, ease off a bit,” she said.
The City of Sydney stopped issuing regular parking fines in March.
Rangers were told “to use discretion and only issue parking fines or other penalties if there is an imminent public or environmental health or safety risk,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said on March 20.
However, from Monday, rangers will be told to once again fine anyone parking illegally, or without a ticket.
“Motorists must park legally and adhere to signposted parking restrictions and pay for parking in ticketed areas,” the Lord Mayor said last week.”
That’s despite the NSW government urging commuters to drive to work and avoid public transport.
“We don't want people doing the wrong thing all of the day, but we certainly do want councils to provide that level of flexibility to have the conversation with us of how we can increase capacity for people to be employed,” Ms Berejiklian said on Thursday.
Originally published as Gladys Berejiklian tells councils to ‘ease off a bit’ on parking fines
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