By Belinda Nolan
BRIMBANK Council pockets almost $2 million collecting on fines each year.
The council issues more than 14,000 fines annually for a range of offences, from illegal parking to overdue library books.
Statistics provided to Star this month reveal the council collected $1.9 million in fines in 2009 and a further $1.9 million in 2010.
The council is currently owed$1.8 million in overdue fines, with a staggering 10,697 still outstanding, some dating to more than five years ago.
An overwhelming majority of fines relate to parking infringements, with a whopping 28,728 parking tickets handed out in two years, bringing in $2.7 million to council coffers.
While only 53 penalties were handed out for planning breaches between 2009-2010, they reaped the council more than $43,000.
Meanwhile tardy book borrowers helped rack up $152,955 in the past two years.
A further $930,000 was raised following breaches of council’s local laws, or State Government regulations.
In some cases the council charges property owners for service to avoid issuing a fine.
Last year the council sent more than 300 bills to property owners to cover the cost of cutting grass or removing rubbish on private property.
The most common fine dealt out is for parking in a no stopping area, while the most hefty fines are for protection of council property, with penalties of up to $2000 and $200 added on each day.
The lowest fine is 20 cents for a library book which is a day overdue.
Doris Cunningham, the council’s General Manager of Corporate Services told Star the council did its best to deal fairly with the community, waiving more than 2800 fines over the past two years.
The council currently has 67 payment plans for those struggling to pay their fines.
Ms Cunningham said the council also sent warnings to property owners before issuing them with a fine for breaches of the planning scheme.
“Council aims to work fairly and co-operatively with the community,” Ms Cunningham said.
She said community members had the right to appeal over infringements under State Government legislation.
“This includes circumstances such as a car breaking down in a no-parking area.
“Council will take such reasons into consideration when requested to waive a fine.”
