Victoria Council Confirms Parking Fine Overcharging Spanning Nearly Two Decades
Hundreds of motorists in Victoria's northeast have been systematically overcharged on their parking fines for almost two decades, with a local council now issuing an apology and outlining steps for those affected. Mansfield Shire Council has publicly acknowledged a significant historical administrative issue that has impacted up to 765 parking infringements, with records dating back to 2009.
Administrative Error Leads to Financial Impact
For 17 years, the council operated under the mistaken belief that local government officers should impose fines ranging between 0.2 and 0.5 penalty units, which equated to approximately $41 to $102, across 11 distinct categories of parking violations. However, official guidelines were revised, mandating that penalties be set strictly at 0.2 penalty units, or $41. The council admitted it was not adequately informed of these critical changes.
"Unfortunately, the need for a formal resolution was not properly communicated to councils in Victoria in 2009 or again in 2019 when the guidelines were updated," a council statement explained. This oversight has resulted in the council collecting an extra $34,588 from incorrectly calculated fines. Additionally, there may be supplementary costs of up to $10,000 attributed to late fees and legal expenses incurred by affected individuals.
Council Apologizes and Pledges Rectification
Mayor Steve Rabie extended a sincere apology to all motorists impacted by the error. He emphasized that while the fines themselves were legitimate, the overcharge amounted to a "small amount of money over many years." Rabie affirmed the council's commitment to transparency and corrective action, stating, "We are not scared to address errors. We've identified an issue and we will fix it."
Expressing confidence in the current administrative team, Rabie added, "I have every confidence that the current team will work quickly to rectify these legacy issues. We know the community trusts us, and we will work to maintain that trust." He clarified that Mansfield Shire Council does not aim to profit from parking fines, noting, "Mansfield Shire Council has not sought to make money on parking fines—we use fines to ensure fair use of parking resources for the community as a whole."
Calls for Improved Government Communication
Rabie highlighted the necessity for clearer communication between all levels of government to prevent similar errors in the future. He criticized the current notification methods, saying, "They can't be hidden in emails unrelated to the change, they can't be buried deep within one of the hundreds of government gazettes that go out each year." This call for reform underscores broader systemic issues in regulatory updates.
Refund Scheme in Development
In response to the discovery, Mansfield Shire Council is actively exploring the implementation of a parking infringement refund scheme. Further details regarding the rollout and eligibility criteria are expected to be announced shortly. The council has assured that all individuals eligible for a refund will be contacted directly, ensuring a streamlined process for reimbursement.
Similar Incident in Melbourne Council
This is not an isolated case in Victoria. In June of last year, Merri-Bek Council in Melbourne's inner north admitted to a comparable administrative error, revealing it had been overcharging drivers since 2013. Motorists were overcharged an additional $45 to $59 on their parking fines, depending on the violation type and the year it was issued. It is understood that a whistleblower exposed this scandal, with the council attributing the issue to an administrative oversight.
The recurring nature of these incidents raises concerns about the consistency and transparency of parking fine enforcement across local governments in Victoria, prompting calls for more robust oversight and communication protocols.
