Brimbank motorists pay high price for parking errors

More than $1.2 million has gone into Brimbank council coffers this year as a result of parking fines.

Figures seen by Star Weekly reveal the council’s nine parking and local law compliance officers have handed out 12,577 parking tickets since January 1, costing motorists $1,239,326.

Parking fines start at $74 for parking in a no-standing zone, parking longer than the time allowed or parking outside the lines of a parking bay. The fines jump to as much as $148 if drivers have parked within 10 metres of an intersection, in an intersection, on a clearway or in a loading zone.

Council city development director Stuart Menzies said most fines were issued around major retail and commercial centres in St Albans, Sunshine and Taylors Lakes, including Watergardens Town Centre.

He said the number of fines issued this year was on par with those for the same period last year.

“The function of parking compliance is to ensure access and turnover of parking spaces so that parking is available for all visitors and workers,” Mr Menzies said.

“The parking compliance work is also to maintain the safety and amenity of these areas, and especially nearby residential streets.”