Home
Hornsby Council says parking double-dip `not its fault’
THE time is almost expired on your parking spot so you hop behind the wheel to move to a new space.
Let’s assume you have been lucky enough to find another spot close by, maybe even in the same street.
Think you’ve avoided a fine completely? Think again.
A parking infringement loophole has allowed Hornsby Council rangers to dole out fines to motorists if they have moved their vehicles to a new space deemed too close.
Council insists it’s not to blame – instead citing the NSW Road Rules as determined by the State Government.
Ann Condon, of St Ives, contacted the Advocate after she copped an $84 penalty for overstaying the two-hour limit on her car space in Jersey Rd, Hornsby.
But Ms Condon had done no such thing. Rather, she said, she had moved her car from a right-angled space in a two-hour zone at 12.15 – 15 minutes before her limit expired.
“I drove around looking for a new spot and finally found one in a one-hour zone parallel to Jersey Rd,” she said.
Ms Condon then returned to Hornsby TAFE where she was on voluntary duty supervising an art exhibition.
She collected her things and returned to her car to find a penalty notice issued despite her having relocated her vehicle.
“I complained to various people but was told the fine still stood as I was in the same street even though I had moved,” she said.
“I was horrified. I did not commit a crime. It’s just so wrong.
“This is just revenue-raising.”
Ms Condon said she had never heard of a fine being distributed in such a way.
“Everybody I tell just cannot believe it,” she said.
Hornsby Council said the Road Rules Act (2008) requires motorists to move off the length of road or out of the parking area where time restrictions apply.
“This ensures other motorists have equitable access to timed parking spaces,’’ a spokesman said.
The spokesman directed Ms Condon to phone the State Debt Recovery Office to appeal her penalty.
Hornsby Advocate 14 January 2010