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"Drivers deserve better": Huge win for motorists over parking fines

In a move to stop unsuspecting drivers being hit with unfair parking fines, NSW councils will soon be banned from issuing a fine without a physical ticket. Finance Minister Courtney Houssos will legislate to effectively ban ticketless parking fines after council raked in $155 million in sneaky fines last year. Ms Houssos will introduce legislation later in September, which will require parking rangers to attach an “on-the-spot notification” to a car which gets a fine either in the form of a sticker or a traditional parking ticket. Ticketless parking fines were first introduced under former Premier Gladys Berejiklian in 2020, with councils issuing a whopping 822,310 ticketless parking fines last financial year, up almost 50 per cent from the year before. Ms Houssos said forcing councils to leave a note telling drivers they had been fined, rather than waiting for a fine to come ion the mail weeks later, was a victory for common sense. "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,” she said. “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,” she said. NSW Premier Chris Minns also backed the move, saying, “Drivers deserve better than the current system." In certain limited circumstances, rangers will be able to issue a fine without leaving a ticket, but only if they install new-warning signs, which could include areas where there is no phone reception, like national parks, or in timed enclosed car parks. NRMA Spokesman Peter Khoury said the government’s changes will rebuild public confidence, saying, “Ticketless parking fines removed transparency and made it almost impossible for motorists to contest their fine if they felt they had a legitimate case.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Legal

Jackie O breaks down over baby scalded in Brisbane park

Jackie O has broken down live on air while talking to the heartbroken mother whose baby boy was scalded in a Brisbane Park. Baby Luka and his mother were enjoying the sun in Hanlon Park on August 27th when a stranger approached and poured boiling hot coffee over the baby boy. Luka has since undergone three surgeries, while the man accused of the horrific attack has allegedly fled the country, according to police. The grief-stricken mother, who has not been publicly identified, spoke with Kyle and Jackie O on Friday morning and said her infant son will continue to have surgery every four days for the next four weeks at the least, as doctors attempt to repair the nine-month-old’s burns. “After that it's once a week for two weeks. And then it should okay, all going well and everything healing,” she said. “But then after there's scar management stuff as well on top of that.” The mother provided a heartwarming update on Luka’s progress after he was released from hospital on Monday, saying he is “smiling” and “walking”. "He's not letting this - he (the alleged attacker) hasn't taken away my son's soul,” she said. “Like, he is beautiful, and he is strong, and he is brave and resilient. And I'm so lucky to be his mum. I'm just really sad this has happened." Jackie O was visibly moved while talking to the woman, breaking down in tears live on air. The KIISFM host told Luka's mother, "You can't imagine that kind of evil, and your poor bubba, it's so evil." "It makes you so angry because he's just a little innocent boy who never did anything to anyone," she added as she became overwhelmed with emotion. Her co-host Kyle Sandilands also shared his devastation as he admitted he was left in floods of tears when he first heard of Luka's brutal injuries on the news. "In all honesty, I was in tears in the lounge when I saw the story. Everyone understands it's s**t, but when you've got your own child running around you while you're in tears watching the news," he shared. Kyle and Jackie vowed to give $10,000 to the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/baby-lukas-medical-treatments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> set up to help raise funds for Luka's hospital treatment, adding to the $160,000 that has already been donated. With an original target of just $5,000, the mother gushed, "I cannot believe the generosity of the community and you know, it warms my heart and, you know, all the messages and the kindness and yeah, it makes the process a little bit easier." Image credits: KIISFM / 9News

Caring

Miracle update on baby boy scalded in public park

The mother of the nine-month-old boy who was scalded in a Brisbane park has shared a positive update on his condition as he awaits his third surgery. Baby Luka and his mother were enjoying the sun in Hanlon Park on August 27th when a stranger approached and poured boiling hot coffee over the baby boy. The nine-month-old was rushed to hospital, while the man accused of the attack remains at large. On Monday, Luka's mother shared that her son is up and walking again for the first time since the attack ahead of a third surgery that she hoped would deliver “more information about the next steps”. “Luka has been incredibly resilient. He’s up and about, walking and causing chaos. He is such a strong little boy and we are so so proud of him,” she said. The woman also confirmed that Luka suffered serious burns, with those under his neck and chest likely to scar, as the prospect of a skin graft has been raised by doctors. She said she had been "blown away" by the support she and her family had received through a GoFundMe campaign set up to pay for Luka's medical expenses. "This GoFundMe will be able to support Luka with all of his ongoing care needs which is truly a weight lifted off our shoulders," the woman said. “Not only that it will also support myself, my family, and ongoing mental health, given the nature of the event this will be an extremely long journey ahead for us all.” The fundraiser, that had a goal of just $5,000, surpassed $110,000 on Monday. Police earlier described the man they wish to speak to in connection to the attack as between 30-40 years old, of a proportionate build, with tanned skin. He was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts at the time Luka was burned. Image credits: 9News / Facebook

Caring

New details and pics emerge after baby scalded by stranger in Brisbane park

New photos and details have emerged of the nine-month-old baby who was scalded by a stranger in a park in Brisbane. Police have alleged that a man, between 30 and 40 years old, tipped hot coffee over a baby in Hanlon Park on Wednesday before <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/manhunt-after-stranger-pours-scalding-hot-coffee-on-baby-in-public-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fleeing the scene</a>. On Thursday morning, police released new images of a man they wish to speak to in relation to the alleged assault. Police said the man was of an average build and with tanned skin and was wearing a black hat, glasses, a checkered button-up shirt and shorts at the time of the attack. The plea from police comes after an image of the baby in hospital was released, with the nine-month-old completely wrapped in bandages. After the incident, the baby was rushed to Queensland Children's Hospital and has since undergone surgery for burns to his face and chest, reportedly suffering serious burns to 60 per cent of his body including his face, neck, chest and arms. A friend of the baby's mother, Zara Mazza, shared an update with The Project on Wednesday night, recalling how she was sitting down with her own son and looked up to see a man standing above her friend’s nine-month-old baby. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Nruwavg67/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_Nruwavg67/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Project (@theprojecttv)</a> </div> </blockquote> “This man was standing above him, behind him, and poured a Thermos of hot coffee over him. He just started screaming,” she told the program. Ms Mazza said she tried to chase the man but he was “very fast”, and she tripped while attempting to keep up. “Essentially all I could hear was his mum screaming that it’s hot. ‘It’s hot, it’s hot coffee’, so I ran back and as I ran back picked up my water bottle and dumped it over him,” she said. “I removed him from his mum and we laid him down on the picnic rug and we peeled his clothes away, which revealed the peeling of his skin, his skin had started to blister.” Bystanders reportedly came over with filled water bottles to pour over the baby, before a nurse in training offered up a shower at her nearby apartment so water could constantly be running on him. “Very grateful. The ambulance came really quickly, I think it was within five minutes. Police, too,” Ms Mazza said. “It was chaotic. It happened really quickly.” The baby’s mother is reportedly “really traumatised” after the incident, as Ms Mazza said, “She’s got a lot of anxiety right now. She’s not been able to sleep very well, if at all. So definitely struggling.” “Bub is in a stable condition … they say that he’ll need regular dressing changes under anaesthetic over the next weeks. They don’t know how long, but, yeah. It’s gonna take a while.” Image credits: 7News / Queensland Police

Caring

Manhunt after stranger pours scalding hot coffee on baby in public park

Queensland Police have released footage of the man they believe burned a baby with a scalding hot drink in a public park. On Wednesday, the unknown man approached the family at Hanlon Park in Brisbane and poured hot coffee on the nine-month-old baby boy. He was rushed to the Queensland Children’s Hospital with burns to his face, upper body and arms, with the burns covering 60 per cent of his body. Queensland Police have now released CCTV footage from the area, showing a man running from the park. He appears approximately 30 to 40 years old, with a proportionate build and tanned skin, and was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts. Anyone who recognises the man has been urged to contact the police with information. An off-duty nurse heard the commotion in the park from the balcony of her apartment, telling <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/footage-of-man-who-burnt-baby-with-hot-drink-at-hanlon-park-in-stones-corner-released-c-15856522" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a> she went outside to investigate when she heard screaming. She said she heard the child’s mother yelling “my baby, my baby”. The nurse rushed down to the park to help the boy, taking him to her nearby apartment where he was placed under a cold shower before paramedics arrived. Locals told 7News the attack was “terrible” and they were shocked it had happened in their community. “It’s really scary when you think that we haven’t got a community that looks after our young and vulnerable,” one woman said. Image credits: Queensland Police

Legal

"You are ruining my life": Driver's plea to parking ranger

A desperate motorist has left a note for suspecting parking rangers to beg for leniency over fines. A photo of the note, that quickly went viral, shows the driver asking to not receive any more tickets after already being slapped with three in one week. The note explains the driver's difficult situation, as he asked the rangers to have mercy. "Please stop giving me tickets," the note read. "I already have three this week. I am obviously broke already." "I have ordered my new sticker. It's in the mail. I can't make it get here faster. Have some mercy, you are ruining my life." The note insinuates the other parking fines may have been written up because of an expired registration or damaged licence plate. After the photo of the note went viral, many were shocked that the parking officer wrote up several tickets in the same week. "Usually you wouldn't get the second and third as there's a grace period to go to traffic court to show you did the paperwork to drop the first ticket," one person said. Another driver revealed a similar plight, saying, "I ordered my tags in the mail and it took 34 days to get here." But others weren't as understanding, as one person sarcastically commented, "If only people had an entire year to plan ahead to know when their tags would expire ... oh, wait." Image credits: Facebook / Shutterstock

Legal

Aussie motorist's act of defiance against parking fees

Aussie drivers have been warned against replicating a cheeky way a motorist tried to pay for parking at a cashless parking meter. The motorist wasn't able to pay for his parking charges with a card, so instead they erected a sign in his car with gold coins attached, proving they are good for the parking fees. The driver said the cashless revolution doesn't "suit their lifestyle", but added they are "willing to pay for parking with these coins any day of the week". Despite displaying their method of payment, the North Sydney Council, who recently upgraded all their parking meters to cashless ones, explained to <a href="https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/major-136-fine-warning-after-fed-up-aussies-3-cashless-act-of-defiance-023528239.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo</a> Finance this method could massively backfire. "The only way to avoid being fined is to comply with the signage restrictions for the space in which you have parked," a Council spokesperson said. "In metered spaces, you must pay using our parking meters. You are likely to receive a fine if you leave a note and do not pay," with parking fines in this council setting you back $136. After the driver's unique payment method garnered attention on social media, many agreed with their sentiment saying there should always be an option for people to pay with cash. "Should always have a cash option," wrote one user, while another said, "How can they expect everyone to be credit card online app savvy anyway and download it while standing in the street? I have so much trouble paying." A third added, "This is a great idea, but the inspectors do not have a sense of humour, they just issue you with a fine." Image credits: Facebook

Legal

Gold medallist sleeps in Paris park to protest "disappointing" Olympic village conditions

A gold medallist has been spotted sleeping in a Paris park in protest of the conditions in the Olympic village. Italian swimmer Thomas Ceccon was captured sleeping atop a white towel in a park located inside the Olympic village by Saudi rower Husein Alireza. Alireza posted the photo to Instagram with the caption, "Rest today, conquer tomorrow." The Italian swimmer, who won gold in the 100m backstroke, had already complained publicly about the accommodations in the Olympic Village, after he failed to reach the 200m backstroke final on Wednesday. Since the commencement of the Paris Games, many athletes have spoken out about the conditions in the Olympic village, saying the beds are uncomfortable, the rooms are poorly air conditioned and the food is poor quality. “There is no air-conditioning in the village, it’s hot, the food is bad,” Ceccon said, according to <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/29673636/thomas-ceccon-sleeping-park-conditions-olympic-village-paris/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun. </a> “Many athletes move for this reason: it’s not an alibi or an excuse, it’s the reality of what perhaps not everybody knows." “I’m disappointed that I didn’t make the final, but I was too tired. It’s hard to sleep both at night and in the afternoon. Here, I really struggle between the heat and the noise.” Andy Anson, the chief of the British Olympic Association, also voiced concerns about how the quality of the village is affecting athletes, telling The Times of London, “There are not enough of certain foods: eggs, chicken, certain carbohydrates.” “And then there is the quality of the food, with raw meat being served to athletes.” A number of athletes, including the entire US women’s tennis team (with the exception of Coco Gauff) have left the village and searched for alternate accommodation for the duration of the Games. Image credits: Instagram/Panoramic/SIPA/SIPA/Shutterstock Editorial

Travel Trouble

Neighbour's "selfish" parking act sparks outrage

A resident in Leichhardt, Sydney, has taken matters into their own hands and decided to deal with the lack of parking by using orange traffic cones to reserve a space for themselves. But frustrated neighbours were not pleased with this act, as parking on the the busy street is already difficult to find. "It's been ongoing for months and doesn't look renovation-related," they wrote on social media. It is understood that there are no parking restrictions on the street, meaning that residents can park there for as long as they like, if they're lucky enough to find a spot. Social media users were quick to share their thoughts, with many suggesting to just move the "witches hats." Others slammed the resident's parking act as "outrageous" and called him out for his "rude" and "selfish" behaviour. "I've noticed that for months and wondered why people have been so observant of them," one person wrote. "I guess if you're self-entitled and can get away with it," another added. "Remove them when they aren't there, someone will park there," a third wrote. While there were a few others who supported the act, and said that residents were entitled to reserve a parking spot, the Inner West Council has debunked it. They said that reserving street parking using objects like traffic cones or other items and then leaving these objects unattended is prohibited. "Unfortunately, this type of thing does happen in our local government area," a spokesperson told Yahoo. The council has also urged anyone who sees someone using their belongings to obstruct public use of amenities to report it, with fines ranging from $330 to $660. Image: Facebook

Legal

EV driver slammed for worst piece of parking you'll ever see

An Australian electric vehicle driver in Tasmania has been slammed online for their "unbelievable" parking. In a picture shared on Facebook, the BYD was seen parked horizontally across two separate charging spaces in Howrah, Hobart. Not only did they hog two charging spots, but their vehicle also parked over two nearby motorbike bays. "Congratulations to this person yesterday who managed to connect to the charger on the right, while parking sideways across the charging bay on the left, AND a couple of bonus motorbike parking bays," a frustrated driver wrote online, after witnessing the scene. This prompted an outpouring of frustration from both EV drivers and Australians who dislike the "electric vehicle community in general". "They should put cameras on the charger and if they park like this it starts to drain the battery instead of charging it," one wrote. "Give me a crack at parking, I'd do better — even with my cane," another commented. "I officially give up trying to defend the EV community," a third added. "I honestly have no words," wrote a fourth. EV etiquette has been a popular topic of debate recently, with drivers frequently being photographed for their questionable parking skills. Just a few months ago, a Tesla driver was mocked for their <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/entitled-as-tesla-driver-mocked-for-creative-parking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"entitled as"</a> parking, after taking up two spots in a shopping centre to park their vehicle. Image: Facebook

Travel Trouble

Woman's fake parking fines divides internet

Finding a parking ticket on your windscreen is the last thing you'd want to see after a day out - but last month dozens of drivers were greeted with fake fines made by one woman who wanted to spread "a little kindness". Melbourne woman Karina went viral for her odd marketing tactic, where she put handmade fake fines onto cars, public phones and lamp posts across the city's southeast, in a bid to promote her photography business. The "infringement" note read: "Notice to owners: We saw you pull into this car park and I wanted to tell you that you look absolutely beautiful today, your smile could light up a whole room... "Just to make your day a little more special than you already are, I want to give you $30 towards my beach prints from my travels." When asked why she did it, Karina told Yahoo News: "I decided to do it to make people's day by spreading a little kindness. It was a reminder that life is too short." "They're going to think it's a fine but little do they know that it's actually some money towards a print for our store." While there were a few that praised her "hustle" mentality, saying that they "love this idea" and thought it was "cute", others were less pleased. "No this would make me have a panic attack," one wrote. "I thought this was wholesome until I realised ya'll are just trying to sell stuff," another added. Images: TikTok

Money & Banking

“Entitled as”: Tesla driver mocked for creative parking

A Tesla driver's parking skills has sparked an online debate after pictures of the vehicle parked across two parking spots was posted on Facebook. The black Tesla Model Y was parked at the Orion Springfield shopping centre in Queensland, and most online commenters condemned the driver's actions. “Of course, it’s a Tesla owner. Entitled as mentality,” one wrote. “They should find somewhere else to charge it or go home," another commented. However, some commenters pointed out that the charging station could be the problem, and with an increase in drivers choosing electric vehicles, it sparked a few questions on the accessibility of the charging stations across the country. “Maybe that was the only way to reach the plug? EV owners should be allowed to fuel up just as we do," one commenter wrote. “The one at fault … is the silver car parked in the charging spot not on charge, so I guess they [the Tesla owner] had to park like that to charge up," another said. In another incident last April, another Tesla driver was criticised for parking their Model 3 – with an attached trailer – over the kerb next to the charging bay. However, the photo also highlighted the accessibility issues as current charging stations for EV's do not accomodate to oversized vehicles, so drivers may have to come up with other ways to charge. A spokesperson for Standards Australia said that a charger reform is currently being discussed by all relevant regulators. "There's a lot of work going on right now as our vehicle fleet becomes more electric. This includes consideration of charging infrastructure, its placement, and matters of safety and amenity," the spokesperson told Drive. "Standards Australia is working with governments, industry and the community to identify what standards are needed for charging infrastructure and how they can be embedded in our communities." Image: Drive/ Facebook

Legal

Woman fined after paid car park gets set up around her parked vehicle

Josephine Williams had been leaving her car in a gravel clearing at Westgate in Auckland, alongside other commuters to catch the bus into the city for months. The New Zealand woman was left with a "nasty surprise" when she returned from work on Monday to find a NZ $85 ($77) fine sitting on her windshield. "To my unfortunate surprise - and many others - I was greeted by an $85 parking ticket for a breach and a flyer from Wilson Parking saying paid parking had started that day," Williams told Stuff. "But what breach exactly was made? How was I supposed to know paid parking started that day when there was nothing at all displayed anywhere in the car park?" Williams claimed that the Wilson Parking car park had been set up around her already parked car, even providing dash cam footage that showed her pulling into the gravel clearing at 7.45am, with no paid parking signs or Wilson branding in sight. By 6pm, a large red and white Wilson sign had been put up at the entrance, with "12 hours for $4" written on it. "Wilson deliberately put their sign up sometime after 9am and then took it upon themselves to fine every single car that was already parked there from the morning," Williams said. "$85 is a lot of money - it would have been two weeks' worth of grocery shopping for me," she added. "I'm lucky that I know the law and my rights, but some other people might not. What about students or the elderly or people who don't know English well?" She estimated that there was usually around 50 and 100 cars in the gravel clearing. Wilson argued that the carpark was always there and they had just added more signage, but have since waived Williams' fine after she lodged a request to have it reviewed by Parking Enforcement Services. Wilson Parking also said that they had started to set up the car park and installed a "clear signage" on April 22. "It was not set up around parked cars on 29 April as suggested," a Wilson spokesperson said. "Several payments were made by customers via the Parkmate app from 22 April proving that signage on the site was clear and effective," they said. They added that on April 29 more signs were added to all entry points of the car park. "In acknowledgment of the increased signage added on the 29th at the entry we've made the decision to refund all payments made until 30 April and waive any breach notices issued up to this date." They also denied issuing any breach notices before the signs were put up. "Payment options were available and signed from 22 April - but no infringement notices were issued prior to the 29th." Images: Stuff

Legal

"Unfair" parking fines could soon be a thing of the past

In recent years, road users in one Australian state have found themselves at the receiving end of unwelcome surprises in their mailboxes. An experimental parking fine process, initiated with the aim of streamlining administrative procedures, has instead garnered significant backlash from unsuspecting motorists. However, relief seems to be on the horizon as the New South Wales Government steps in to rectify the situation. The issue revolves around the introduction of ticketless parking fines, a system that was implemented with the intention of simplifying the issuance of penalties for parking violations. Under this scheme, parking officers could send details of fines directly to Revenue NSW, which would then dispatch infringement notices either by post or through the Service NSW app. However, what was meant to be a simple and streamlined modernisation effort has led to a surge in revenue from fines and a subsequent erosion of trust in the system. Concerns about the fairness and transparency of ticketless fines have been mounting, prompting action from the NSW government. Reports indicate that Finance Minister Courtney Houssos has written to all 128 local councils in the state, urging them to halt further adoption of the ticketless parking fine system. Instead, councils have been instructed to revert to traditional ticketing methods and ensure that drivers are promptly made aware of fines at the time of the offence. The move comes in response to a range of issues highlighted by critics of the ticketless system. One major concern is the lack of immediate notification, which diminishes the deterrent effect of fines and makes it difficult for motorists to contest them effectively. Without receiving timely notification, drivers may struggle to gather evidence or address issues such as inadequate signage, hidden signs, or other circumstances that could warrant a review of the fine. Organisations like the National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) have been vocal opponents of the ticketless scheme, labelling it as "unfair" and criticising its impact on transparency. According to NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury, the system reduces the ability of drivers to contest fines, thereby undermining their rights and contributing to a loss of community trust in the administration of fines. The NSW government's intervention signals a recognition of these concerns and a commitment to restoring confidence in the fines system. By prioritising immediate notification for drivers, authorities aim to address the shortcomings of the ticketless parking fine process. The decision to reverse the experimental system comes amid staggering revenue figures, with nearly $140 million generated from ticketless fines in 2023 alone. While the financial gains may be substantial, they come at the expense of public trust and fairness, prompting a much-needed course correction. As Minister Houssos asserts, providing immediate notification to drivers is not only the right thing to do but also a crucial step towards rebuilding community trust. By ensuring that drivers are promptly informed of fines and have the opportunity to contest them, authorities can strike a balance between effective enforcement and procedural fairness in managing parking violations. As road users await the reinstatement of traditional ticketing methods, they can take solace in the prospect of a fairer and more transparent fines system in the future. Images: City of Sydney

Legal

"It's just not fair": Driver slams council for misleading parking fine

A furious motorist has taken aim at a Sydney council's parking solution that resulted in an "outrageous" and "unjustified" fine. Ben drives to the Campbelltown train station in South West Sydney every day for his workday commute, and has recently been forced to find alternative parking plans due to a major disruption. A multi-deck carpark is being built near the station to accommodate the influx of traffic, but while the site is under construction, a makeshift parking lot has been set up. While the new car park will add 500 parking bays when completed, residents have claimed the council has drastically reduced the number of spaces in the meantime. Ben told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-parking-rules-drivers-outrage-over-tiny-detail-in-parking-fine/4cfe4d45-c311-4587-b68a-fc1d017675fc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9news.com.au</a> parking had become "a nightmare" since the temporary lot opened, leaving many motorists with no option but to park along the fence line. It's this act that saw Ben receive a $129 parking fine in the mail. He was outraged when he was issued a fine on February 9th for "not stand vehicle in a marked parking space" when he had no other parking option. "They've advertised that the temporary car park is the same amount of spaces lost during the construction, which is severely incorrect," he said. "I can only assume they are fining loads of drivers as that space along the fence line is always full of cars parked the same as mine was." Along with the fine itself, ticket inspectors supplied Ben a photo of a wordy and confusing sign located near the entrance to the lot, which only added to his frustration with the local council. He said while there were no marked bays along the fence line, signage was not clear enough to indicate to drivers they weren't allowed to park there. "I mean it's just not fair. It's a temporary gravel parking lot," he said. "They've created this mess and now they are targeting innocent commuters fighting to just leave their car somewhere to catch public transport into work." A spokesperson for Campbelltown City Council told Nine News they understood the construction of the new car park would "create some disruption". "A temporary 113-space parking lot has been opened adjacent to the existing parking lot in order to offset some of the parking loss," they said. The council was "actively monitoring and reviewing the current parking and signage arrangements as well as community feedback, to identify any further improvements that could be made and inform any additional community notification required". "While this review takes place, vehicles will only be fined where a safety risk to both other vehicles and/or pedestrians is identified," the spokesperson said. Image credits: Nine News

Legal

Dad cops furious note from "egotistical Karen" for parking in parent's bay

A Perth dad has been left hurt after he was targeted by an "egotistical Karen" for parking in a parent's bay, while his wife was inside a shopping centre changing their seven-month-old baby. "Don't park here again, you selfish prick!" the note read. His wife took to Facebook on behalf of her hurt husband to question why someone would go out of their way to criticise him for parking in a space designated for parents. "My husband was putting a baby gate in the boot while I was in the forum changing our seven-month-old baby," she defended her partner, who parked at the Mandurah Forum. "He came back into the forum looking for me [and] when we returned, someone had put this note on our windscreen. "How about next time you be sure before insulting an innocent husband and father, you hero." The woman said that the note left her husband "hurt and almost feeling guilty" and she argued that he had every right to be there as a parent. Her post attracted over 300 interactions with many agreeing with the mum, and saying that the "Karen" should've gotten their facts straight before taking action. "There is no law for who can park in parents with prams spaces they are just convenience but anyone can park there and use," one man wrote. A few others shared the same sentiment and said that "it's not illegal to park in those bays" regardless of whether or not you have a baby. Some parents even shared their own experiences and why it is important to not judge someone based on looks alone. "This has happened to me also. I had a baby and a toddler and my husband took them inside the Mandurah forum while I unloaded our car," the person began. "A couple with a baby parked next to me and the man kept yelling at me that it was only for parents with prams, even though I told him I had young kids and a pram. But he didn't believe me and yelled loudly to move my car." One mum added that she doesn't see the need for parents with prams spaces altogether. "As a mum of just a five-year-old, I personally don’t see the need for parent spaces. They are not any bigger, just more convenient. Kids need exercise and prams have wheels, not hard to walk," she wrote. "I personally think they should be seniors bays instead, they are less mobile and struggle to walk long distances. Give them the spots." Images: Facebook

Legal

“This doesn’t make sense": Mum fined for parking in own driveway

A Gold Coast mum couldn't believe her eyes when she found an almost $200 fine in her mail for parking in her own driveway. “I got a lovely fine from Gold Coast City Council for parking in my own driveway,” Megan Pass told 7News. “This doesn’t make sense. “Everybody I’ve shared this with is going, ‘What the hell?’” The council claims that part of her driveway is located on council land so she was breaking the law by parking on it. The mother-of-three said that she has lived in the house for seven years and parked her car there every day and has never been fined before. The <a href="https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/Planning-building/Development-applications/Development-application-types/Driveways-vehicular-crossings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">council website </a>states that there is an important difference between someone's driveway, which "ends at the property boundary", and a vehicular crossing, which is the section of the driveway between the boundary and the road. The local law prevents people from parking over council land for more than two minutes, so Ms. Pass got fined $193. People took to social media to share their thoughts on Ms Pass' situation. “What a joke - revenue raising at its best,” one user tweeted. While another said: “Yip I got one of those fines lol. Just paid it. Don’t have time spare to go court to be told… you broke the law… pay the fine." “Will the mayor mow the footpath once a week and water it? That bloke’s a goose,” a third added. Images: 7News

Legal

"Surely this is a prank": Council slammed for ridiculous parking restriction

Melbourne City Council has been slammed online for offering free parking, but only for a measly 15 minutes. The new initiative, which was shared in a video to the City of Melbourne Instagram account, details how parking fees will be waived for drivers needing to run a quick errand in the CBD, as long as they return to their vehicle within 15 minutes. Drivers can park in a “green signed” parking space such as a ‘2P Meter’, and start a 15-minute session on the Easy-Park app to claim the offer. The council said they introduced the initiative for those who want to “run an errand, support a local business and take in city vibes”. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0lApxrt35h/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0lApxrt35h/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by City Of Melbourne (@cityofmelbourne)</a> </div> </blockquote> The initiative, however, has been rinsed online, with many people pointing out that 15 minutes is not enough time to do anything, especially in the CBD. “Surely this is a prank?” one person questioned. “As if you can take in the vibes in 15min. And based where the carpark spots are, you’d barely make it to the shop or restaurant and back in 15,” said another. “15 mins? Such overwhelming generosity,” another commented. “How can you support any business in 15 minutes time? By sprinting to a shop and run back to the car only to find a ticket on the dashboard?,” wrote another person. Despite the negative feedback, City of Melbourne said more than 90,000 people had taken up the free parking offer since it was first introduced in the central city in July. "Drivers are embracing the flexibility of our new free 15-minute parking system, which is opening up the city by giving more drivers access to free parking outside more businesses and services,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said in a statement in November. “Early data shows our parking improvements are working exactly as intended – keeping spaces turning over outside city businesses, while making it easier to find a park.” Image credits: Instagram

Travel Trouble

"Hats off to whoever did this": Hilarious act of revenge on parking spot thief

In the cutthroat world of Sydney parking, one fed-up property owner has taken matters into their own hands – or rather, their own clingfilm. A red Fiat, blissfully parked in what turned out to be somebody's private parking spot in the Upper North Shore suburb of Wahroonga, became the canvas for a sticky masterpiece of vehicular revenge. A vigilant passerby, no doubt amused by the spectacle, snapped a photo of the clingfilm-covered car and generously shared it on a community Facebook page. The caption, dripping with sarcasm, read, "And you thought people parking boats on Mosman streets was bad. Look what happens in Wahroonga if you park in the wrong place!" The clingfilm artist didn't stop at just wrapping the car; they took it a step further by scribbling a stern message on the plastic: "Not a public park. Read, you moron. Private property." Talk about a clingy reminder that parking etiquette is serious business in Australian capital cities. While some Sydneysiders chuckled at this clingfilm caper, others questioned the creativity behind the furious act. "Why the hell would you do that to someone's car? Would a note not have achieved the same result? Seems an overreaction," pondered one rational soul, evidently unfamiliar with the concept of "sticky situations". Another concerned citizen chimed in, "Well deserved. Though it's a dreadful waste of plastic." Clearly torn between environmental consciousness and a deep-seated desire for vehicular justice, this commentator encapsulated the internal struggle faced by many Sydney residents. On the flip side, some applauded the clingfilm connoisseur for taking a bold stance against parking transgressors. "Fair enough. We have it happen to us all the time, and I'm at the point of doing this considering I can't park on the street, so I need my parking spot at my own place. Lucky they put gladwrap on the car first and not write straight on the car... hats off to whoever did this," confessed a sympathetic comrade in the battle for parking supremacy. Clearly, as this red Fiat sits wrapped up like a vehicular burrito, Sydney residents have found themselves divided over the ethics of clingfilm activism. Is it a genius way to teach parking manners, or just a sticky situation waiting to be unwrapped? Only time will tell if clingfilm justice becomes the hottest trend in Sydney's ongoing parking wars. Images: Facebook

Legal

"Suck it up": Tourist's parking mistake divides Aussies

A puzzled tourist's question about a $116 parking fine he received at a beach in Noosa, Queensland has divided Aussies, with many telling him to cough up the cash. The motorist shared a photo of his white SUV sitting between two other parked cars under a tree, but what he missed was the faint yellow line behind the nature strip. Confused, he took to a local Facebook group to ask why he was slapped with a fine for “stopping in a no stopping zone” in late October as he believed that he “parked off the road in one of the car parks they offer for free”. “Can I still be charged if I’m parked not impeding traffic or even on the road?” the driver asked. “Is there any way I can go back to them and contest this? I don’t remember seeing any signs that said no stopping near the island.” Residents of the popular tourist town were quick to criticise the driver. “Really. There are yellow lines and parked in a garden bed. It’s not a car park,” one wrote. “You’re lucky you only got non stopping zone ticket. Just because you park in car park doesn’t mean you can park anywhere in there," another added. “You are in a garden … suck it up,” a third commented. While many pointed out that where he had parked “is not a car space," one commenter explained that “yellow line means no parking all over Australia” and the council is “well within their rights”. The driver didn't take the criticism to heart, and quipped :“So due to the faint yellow line that means you can’t park there? Gotta love Noosa, good to know that the $116 will go towards repainting the line — not. "So is there anything I can do or just pay it?” While many criticised his poor judgement, a few others sympathised with the tourist, saying that they also copped a fine in the same spot. “I've gotten the same fine for parking a scooter there too. Not much you can do. There are signs and a yellow line…” one wrote. “It’s a s**t rule but they’ve been getting people like this for years,” another added. A third added that he could contest the fine “as the yellow line is not very well maintained”. While a few others commented that in general there aren't enough car parks to accommodate the number of visitors. "It’s not even full school holidays for all schools yet and yesterday was shocking to find a car park.” According to the local council, it is illegal for a driver to park their car on a nature strip, footpath or in a parkland anywhere in the shire. Images: Facebook

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