By Vanessa Chircop
HOBSONS Bay City Council whacked residents and visitors to the city with more than $1.2 million in parking fines last year.
And though this might seem
like a hefty sum, it was more than $11,500 less than the revenue made in 2009.
Hobsons Bay Director Business and Finance Glenn O’Sullivan said fines ranged from $61 to $122 with the three most common fines given for overstaying the time limit, failure to pay a parking fee and stopping in a loading zone.
Parking or lack of parking has been a contentious issue in the municipality for several years and with developments on the rise the problem doesn’t seem to be getting any easier.
“Parking officers provide a valuable service seven days a week as there is always a challenge to share the available parking spaces,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
“They provide a proactive approach to detecting parking offences and a reactive service by responding to requests from members of the community about parking issues.
“Parking restrictions are under constant review and changes are made on an ‘as needs’ basis in consultation with the community.”
Other than parking fines the council also made $641,571 in income from parking meters last year.
