WYNDHAM’S fine evaders will get a second chance to pay the council its dues.
The City Council jumped on board the State Government’s fine-fee waiver scheme with its invitation in March for all local councils to take part.
The government will waive the warrant fees until 31 May in an attempt to encourage defaulters to pay before tough new sanctions are introduced.
Warrant fees will be waived on fines for speeding, running red lights, littering and fare evasion – among other infringements.
Proposed sanctions include wheel clamping, vehicle registration and licence suspension and seizure of personal property.
Evaders owe Wyndham Council about $280,000 for more than 1575 outstanding fines.
The sum includes costs for unpaid courtesy letter fees and unpaid Penalty Enforcement by Registration of Infringement Notice (PERIN) court fees.
Wyndham Council will waive $83,497 in fees associated with PERIN.
Council estimated if 100 per cent of fine defaulters take up the offer, it would collect up to $197,098.
However, it expected only 10 per cent of offenders to pay up, bringing in $11,000.
Council lodged all unpaid fines with PERIN up to December 2004, but now uses a debt collection service that greatly increased the collection rate on unpaid fines.
Werribee Community Legal Centre’s managing solicitor Tanzeel Jabbar-Khadir welcomed the amnesty but described the strict new laws as “harsh”.
“In particular, we have concerns about the expansion of the Infringement Registrar’s powers in relation to PERIN fines,” she said.
“We have concerns about such broad powers, especially in terms of the impact on young adults in Wyndham between the ages of 18 and 25.
“Younger people in our catchment area are already isolated in terms of access to public transport, and often a car is an important mode of transport that is relied upon for both employment and leisure.”
Ms Jabbar-Khadir said the penalties could lead to a greater number of driving offences reaching Magistrates’ Court, like driving while suspended or driving unregistered.
“Thereby reinforcing a cycle of hardship, particularly for young people,” she said.
The State Government stands to bring in more than $700 million in defaulted fines.
For more info call Werribee Legal Service on 9741 0198.
