Nathan Hagarty, Member for Leppington, and Charishma Kaliyanda, Member for Liverpool welcome the NSW Government’s commitment to reforming parking enforcement practices across NSW, ensuring greater accountability and fairness in the system.
The Minns Labor Government announced this week they will take action to reform the ticketless parking fine system, ensuring drivers receive on-the-spot notifications for parking fines. The changes will improve fairness and transparency for drivers.
The former Liberal-National Government introduced the ticketless parking fine system with insufficient safeguards to protect drivers. Their poor implementation allowed the number of ticketless fines to explode, denied drivers transparency and eroded trust in the parking fine system.
Liverpool City Council’s parking fines have surged by nearly 20 per cent, with over $4 million worth of fines issued in the last financial year following the implementation of ticketless fines, sparking concerns over transparency and fairness for local motorists.
Mr Hagarty and Ms Kaliyanda have expressed concern over Councils increasing reliance on fines as it only hurts families during a cost-of-living crisis.
The legislation to be introduced by the NSW Government will set higher standards by:
- Requiring councils to attach an on-the-spot notification to a vehicle. This could be the penalty notice itself, or a short description of the offence and notice that a fine will be sent to them.
- Requiring councils to take photos of offences – even if they use the traditional ‘ticketed’ method – and make them available for Revenue NSW to provide to drivers. The photos must include images of the vehicle, relevant signage and the physical notice left on the vehicle. This will streamline the review process for any challenged fines.
- Limiting the circumstances where an on-the-spot notification is not required to be left by a parking officer, for example, where it is hazardous or unsafe for them to do so.
- Invalidating ‘repeat’ ticketless parking fines, addressing a key concern of the existing system, that drivers can be fined multiple times for the same offence before they even become aware of the first infringement.
- Introducing data reporting rules to monitor the implementation of the legislation and evaluate if any future reforms are necessary.
These changes aim to ensure that local councils, including Liverpool City Council, operate with transparency and integrity, restoring trust in parking enforcement and ensuring that the system serves the community.
Quotes attributable to Member for Leppington, Nathan Hagarty MP:
“Liverpool City Council’s heavy-handed approach is hitting local families hard while we’re in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.
“A near 20 per cent jump in fines is a sign that something isn’t right. We need to put fairness and transparency back into the system so residents aren’t hit with fines weeks after the offence.
“Liverpool residents deserve fair treatment and we are committed to working towards a more balanced approach that respects motorists while maintaining order.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Liverpool, Charishma Kaliyanda MP:
“This announcement will come as a relief to many across Liverpool, who have been subject to some of the most egregious revenue raising from Council as a result of the ticketless parking fine scheme.
“Ticketless fines leave motorists in the dark for weeks, before a fine ends up in their mailbox. This prevents them from gathering evidence that may allow them to have the penalty overturned.
“Liverpool residents deserve the opportunity to make the case as to why a fine should be overturned. The return of physical parking tickets will give them the best chance to do so.”
NATHAN HAGARTY MP
MEMBER FOR LEPPINGTON
CHARISHMA KALIYANDA MP
MEMBER FOR LIVERPOOL
