By Belinda Nolan
CASH-strapped Brimbank residents are struggling to pay their fines, with 10,000 people owing the council a grand total of more than $1 million in outstanding infringements.
Brimbank Council is currently owed $1.7 million in unpaid fines, more than triple the average yearly fines yield.
Stephen Sully, the council’s General Manager of City Development said the majority of fines related to parking infringements, while some were issued following breaches of the council’s local laws.
Mr Sully revealed financial difficulty was the most common reason residents gave for failing to pay their fines.
In March, an exclusive Star report revealed that many residents were finding it difficult to pay their rates, with more than 2000 people owing the council a balance of $4.2 million.
Doris Cunningham, the council’s General Manager of Corporate Services told Star the council received between 750-800 applications each year from residents experiencing financial hardship.
The council currently has around 1400 repayment arrangements with residents struggling to pay off their debts.
