The New South Wales (NSW) government has officially put an end to ticketless parking fines, with new laws passed by the state parliament. This decision marks a significant shift from a system implemented just four years ago, which allowed council rangers to impose fines without affixing tickets to vehicles. Initially introduced under former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, the approach was met with widespread criticism as it made it difficult for motorists to receive timely notifications about their parking violations.
Council officials had been issuing these ticketless parking fines, which meant motorists often received their penalties via mail, sometimes weeks after the infringement occurred. Last financial year alone, councils issued more than 820,000 of these fines, representing almost a 50 percent increase from the previous year, bringing in $155 million for local government coffers. With the new legislation, council rangers will now be required to leave physical tickets on vehicles and document offenses with photographs — something deemed necessary to restore transparency and fairness.
NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos highlighted the community’s dissatisfaction with the ticketless fine system, calling it “a common-sense reform.” She stated, “The community feedback on this issue has been clear...Finding out about it two weeks later stings even more.”
The shift back to traditional paper tickets is welcomed not just by drivers but also by organizations like the NRMA (National Roads and Motorists’ Association), whose spokesperson Peter Khoury noted, “Ticketless parking leaves motorists in the dark and robs them of the chance to contest their fine if they believe they have a legitimate case.”
This change is expected to bring relief to many drivers who have faced fines with little opportunity to contest valid grievances. Under the old regime, failing to receive timely notification of fines often put drivers at risk of accumulating multiple penalties without even knowing they had infringed parking regulations.
According to reports, 48 out of the state’s 128 councils had adopted the ticketless system, resulting not only in confusion among motorists but also mounting frustration about being unaware of the status of their parking fines. The Fines Amendment (Parking Fines) Bill 2024 aims to rectify this, mandatorily attaching on-the-spot notifications to vehicles, which many see as long overdue.
Besides requiring photographic evidence of violations, the legislation also invalidates repeat ticketless fines, ensuring motorists won't be penalized multiple times for the same infraction without being notified. This move aims to eliminate what many deem to be inequities embedded within the former system.
Criticism of the ticketless approach had been persistent since its inception. Residents from various councils expressed frustration about the potential for unknowingly racking up substantial fines before ever learning of their first violation. . One resident recounted, “Without a paper ticket issued, if I had parked there every day until I received my first fine...I could have been up for thousands.”
Now, local councils are encouraged to revert to on-the-spot ticket issuance, with expectations set for them to adopt comprehensive procedures to handle parking violations. Houssos mentioned, “I want to thank the councils which have already started issuing on-the-spot notifications again. There is nothing stopping other councils from joining them.”
Some councils are reportedly willing to transition back to paper notifications, recognizing the community backlash against the ticketless fines, but others appear hesitant. The government’s legislative framework aims to facilitate collaboration among councils through the establishment of working groups with local government stakeholders for the successful implementation of the new measures.
The decision to transition back to the previous system has been met with positive feedback, signifying relief among motorists who are often left feeling powerless under sudden, unexpected fines. Observers anticipate this reversal will restore not only trust between local councils and residents but also sufficient regulatory oversight, where motorists can contest parking fines fairly.
With the reintroduction of the ticketing system, motorists can expect clearer guidelines and enhanced communication surrounding parking regulations, making it easier for them to navigate the parking space without the worry of hidden fines awaiting them through the post.
The transition signals the government’s responsiveness to community needs and reinforces the importance of fair practices within the enforcement of parking regulation. This reformed approach may hopefully pave the way for improved relationships between local authorities and the residents they serve.
Moving forward, the government is likely to assess the implementation of these new measures to evaluate their effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments. It appears the NSW government is finally prioritizing transparency and fairness, aiming for resolutions rooted in clarity and mutual respect between authorities and citizens.
