City of Whittlesea Refunds $627 Parking Fines After Public Outcry

The City of Whittlesea has revoked or refunded 42 parking fines of $627 each issued during junior football matches at the Mernda Football and Netball Club oval in August. CEO Dan Hogan, just 17 days into his role, acknowledged the penalty was disproportionately high for a parking infringement and apologised for the distress caused to residents. The council will also review all similar fines issued since July 1, 2024.

Why the $627 fine was cancelled

Dan Hogan said the $627 infringement class is designed for offences involving damage to property, not simple parking violations. The council determined these parking offences did not warrant such a large fine. The penalty matched the amount Victoria Police issues for using a mobile phone while driving, which also carries four demerit points.

What residents faced at the football match

Residents parked on grass near the oval because all regular parking spaces were full due to high attendance at the junior matches. Ken, 79, was among dozens fined and called the $627 figure unreasonable. Residents had no viable alternative parking options available that day.

What happens next for affected motorists

The council will contact all 42 affected individuals directly about the cancellation and reimbursement process. Hogan said council would review all infringements issued under this offence since July 1, 2024. If no damage was caused, fines will be cancelled or replaced with an official warning. Future $627 fines will only be issued when actual damage to reserves occurs.

Broader parking fine disputes across Victoria

The Mornington Peninsula is experiencing similar tensions over $125 parking fines for cars parked on nature strips outside homes. Residents including Rebecca Kappe and Michael Hellwig say the fines are excessive given narrow street widths that make kerbside parking dangerous for emergency vehicles. Hellwig reported being fined nine times, costing him over $1,100 in two months.

Final Thoughts

The Whittlesea refund signals councils may face pressure to justify steep parking penalties. Residents across Victoria are challenging fines they view as revenue raising rather than safety enforcement. Motorists should expect councils to review similar cases.

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