3 days Ago By 9News
Tweet Facebook Mail Council rangers will be banned from stinging drivers with ticketless parking fines under new legislation to be introduced by the NSW government. The move comes after the number of ticketless fines issued by local councils surged to more than 822,000 in the last financial year, an increase of almost 50 per cent on the previous 12 months. The ticketless scheme was introduced in 2020 by the former state government and allowed councils to send parking fines in the mail instead of attaching tickets to windscreens.
READ MORE: The ASX now predicts four interest rate cuts in 12 months - what does that mean for homeowners? The NSW Government is banning ticketless parking fines. (Nine) While it's been a financial boon for councils, the system sparked a backlash with motorists because it can take weeks for drivers to receive a fine in the mail, meaning they are less able to gather evidence to contest the fine. Some drivers have also reported cases of being unknowingly fined multiple times for the same offence.
Under the new laws, council rangers will have to attach an on-the-spot notification to a vehicle, unless it is unsafe for them to do so. This could be the penalty notice itself, or a short description of the offence and notice that a fine will be sent to them. READ MORE: Mum of bodybuilder who died after 15 hours in gym shower wants answers Council rangers will also be required to take a photo of the offence.
(X/Eddy Meyer) Council rangers will also be required to take a photo of the offence. Premier Chris Minns said the ticketless parking fines system was introduced by the previous government without enough protection for drivers. "Drivers deserve better than the current system," Minns said.
"Too many motorists have driven off with no idea they might be liable for a parking fine. We're fixing that." Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos said the changes should go a long way to re-building the trust of the community.
"No one ever likes to get a parking fine, but the idea you only find out about a fine weeks later doesn't pass the common sense test. "Frustration among drivers and community members about the ticketless parking system is high – and that's fair enough. "The ticketless parking fine system was introduced by the previous government without regard for the impact on drivers and families.
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