Allan Frith wants Maribyrnong City Council to give him $140 for bungling a parking fine. 72727 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By Charlene Gatt
AN IRATE ratepayer is calling on Maribyrnong City Council to compensate him, after issuing him with a contentious parking fine.
Allan Frith was fuming after the council sent him a $122 parking fine for stopping in a No Stopping area along Yarraville’s Murray St in August.
Mr Frith had pulled out of a car parking bay at the rear of the Sun Theatre on 11 August to allow another driver to take the space.
As he drove off, the hay fever sufferer pulled over briefly on Murray St to blow his nose.
Mr Frith stopped in front of a No Standing sign that pointed to the left, so he stopped his car to the right of the sign.
But, unfortunately for him, another No Standing sign about 30 metres away pointed in both directions.
“It gives the impression you’re legally parked,” he said.
“Even if it did have the arrow pointing both ways, I had just pulled over to blow my nose and drive right off. I didn’t even stop the car.
“It’s un-Australian to enforce the law like that.”
Mr Frith explained the predicament to Maribyrnong City Council, but they initially refused to retract the fine.
Mr Frith said the council only overturned the fine when he threatened legal action and said he was going to contact the media.
In a bizarre turn, the letter overturning the fine arrived the same day as a penalty reminder notice for $144.
“They were prepared to hit me with a fine, how about they give me $140 (for getting it wrong)?
“It’s not about the money, it’s the principle.”
The Hoppers Crossing resident grew up in Footscray and Yarraville and is currently renovating a property in the area, with plans to move back in coming months.
Maribyrnong City Council general manager Ian Butterworth said the council would now amend the signs. The council would not comment on whether or not it would compensate Mr Frith.
