Stonnington Council (Melbourne) Parking and Tow Fine for International Visitor

jackvdbuk on 26/03/2016 - 00:34

Hi all,
i had a rental towed in Melbourne and had to pay 350 bucks to be released as i didn't see a parking sign which meant you cant park there after 4pm (parked there at half 3..).. They are now also wanting another 152 bucks for the parking charge. i sent in an appeal stating i am a tourist (of course is not a good enough reason, but mainly the fact i have already paid for a tow charge as and now added on an extra 152 bucks!) with no response from them thinking i guess they must have be voided it.

now i am back in the uk and have received a letter regarding the 152 bucks outstanding.. What should i do? paying the total to 500 dollars n for not understanding a parking sign is big money i really would not rather lose right now as looking for work.

i have returned as family has passed away on a tourist visa, i did actually apply for a working visa but unlikely to return this year.

obviously i do not want to break my relationship with Australia in the event i do return… but what can i do?

thanks all.

Automotive

closed Comments

  • grimace3 on 26/03/2016 - 00:43

    So what are they saying the extra $152 is for? Storage fees? If anything they should have made sure that the fine was fully paid before releasing the car back to you

  • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2016 - 00:46

    Don't be an asshole and pay the fine?

    • jackvdbuk on 26/03/2016 - 01:17

      no need for that at all. travelling for two months in aus cost me a huge amount all gone into Australia. now left with very little.. $500 dollars for a parking mistake is day light robbery.

      did the car actually need to be towed? no probably not.

      did i need to be hit for another $152 after paying 350 for a tow release? no.

      but thats life eh.

      • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2016 - 02:50

        This is what I mean about being an asshole. Your lack of self awareness is mind blowing.

        The space was clearly a peak hour clear way, it did need to be towed and you did deserve your fine.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2016 - 00:52
    +2

    The circumstances that you've outlined in your post would suggest that you were at fault. Now, I should add that inner Melbourne councils have an immense reliance on revenue from parking infringements, and for this alone it is vanishingly rare to see parking infringements waived unless you can prove that:

    • you committed that offence due to an emergency situation and that you can somehow prove this, or
    • the infringement issuing agency was wrong in issuing that penalty.

    My recommendation would be to not waste any further time in appealing the notice of infringement, and to pay the listed infringement as soon as practicable. My reason for suggesting is that failure to pay a parking infringement may, over time, escalate to the status of an infringement warrrant, and that is something nobody wants. By means of a warrant, as I'm sure you will know, the infringement issuing agency may recover the infringement amount by means of confiscating your property or by arresting you, and these may happen in your presence or absence (in the case of seizing property).

    The $350 amount that you paid was to have your trailer released from the council's custody. This is not an infringement in itself, but actually a payment through which the council aims to recoup the costs related with towing, transporting, safely storing and subsequently releasing your trailer to you.

    The $152 amount is an infringement that is legally enforeceable by the issuing agency (council). It is important to note that the two amounts are independent of each other. In other words, paying the infringement doesn't mean that you will automatically receive your towed property, and paying the fees to obtain your towed property doesn't discharge you from the infringement.

    Hope this helps.

  • altomic on 26/03/2016 - 01:46
    -1

    You're back in the UK? F$&k them and their exorbitant charges.

    • isthisreally_me on 26/03/2016 - 01:53
      +1

      If he ever wants to come back to Australia without being detained he should actually pay the fine.

      • altomic on 26/03/2016 - 01:58
        +1

        really?!?! detained?! you're right, I'm sure he is already on the airport watch list as the Stonnington council and Federal police work hand in hand.

        I'll speak to Peter Dutton and sort this out.

        • eatwell365 on 26/03/2016 - 04:31
          +1

          may be extradited to Xmas Island.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2016 - 01:54
      +1

      No worries, the OP would be arrested upon entering Australia.

      Further reading:

      http://online.fines.vic.gov.au/fines/Content.aspx?page=107&s…

      http://online.fines.vic.gov.au/fines/Content.aspx?page=51&s=…

    • Geekomatic on 26/03/2016 - 01:55
      +1

      He said he might want to return to AU. An outstanding ticket like this could be problematic.

      Pay the $152 & next time, look for & read the signs.

      Sorry.

      • altomic on 26/03/2016 - 02:03

        I am laughing at the idiocy of your comment.

    • iridiumstem on 26/03/2016 - 02:11

      Not sure about UK and Australia's relationship, or whether you require a visa. That said, if you require a visa, as a person who've seen Australian visa (profanity) ups, I think it's better to stay on the government's good side if you want the visa.

      The consular I've talked to were telling me that granting a visa is a right for a country. The government usually do not touch upon other country issuing visa as it's the right for the country to issue a visa or not. My brother who should've been granted a visa left the country for two years (which was inevitable due to conscription anyways but it was still annoying) because of the (profanity) up I've mentioned (not deported or anything like that, but more of, chose to leave because it was an easy solution).

  • isthisreally_me on 26/03/2016 - 01:52
    +1

    Sounds like you parked in a clearway Zone.
    If you park in a clearway zone during the restricted times, your vehicle can be towed away.
    A clearway is a section of road where parking and stopping is not allowed at the times shown on the clearway sign.
    Clearways are put on some main roads which have more traffic during peak hours. They help keep the traffic flowing and maintain safety.

  • Dollarydonts on 26/03/2016 - 04:14

    OP's ignorance is astounding. Pay the fine.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join