‘Fairness’: Major change outlaws ticketless parking fines in NSW

One state government is taking big steps to reform its parking fine system, which allowed for tickets to be issued to motorists weeks after the offence.

The NSW government has taken steps to bring back “fairness and transparency” to its parking fine system, five years after a controversial change.

The Minns Labor government has announced a return to ticketed parking fines, ending what it refers to as “years of an unfair system”, where drivers could be issued a parking fine but not be notified until weeks after the offence.

The ticketless system was implemented by the Coalition in 2020, and quickly saw a significant rise in the number of fines issued.

Parking rangers will have to issue on-the-spot tickets on vehicles under new parking fine reforms. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

The reforms will reinstate the old-school on-the-spot ticketing system which will require parking officers to physically attach a parking fine or notification to the vehicle.

There will also be a requirement for the driver of the vehicle to be notified of the fine no longer than seven days after the offence takes place.

NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos said the new system would ensure people would no longer be “caught by a surprise parking ticket weeks later”.

“Our commonsense changes bring fairness and transparency back to the system” she said.

NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos addresses media in a press conference. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

“Motorists will once again benefit from on-the-spot notifications. New requirements that motorists are provided with photos of the offence will assist them if they wish to object to a fine.”

NRMA Spokesperson Peter Khoury said the organisation welcomed the removal of ticketless parking fines in NSW, and commended the state government “for listening to motorists and making this commonsense reform”.

“Transparency matters. People deserve to know when and why they’re being fined – and to have a fair chance to challenge if needed,” he said.

“The Government has worked through the issues, consulted widely, and come to an appropriate solution. Today is a great day for NSW motorists.”

Originally published as ‘Fairness’: Major change outlaws ticketless parking fines in NSW