Election day parking fines turfed Mary Bolling Herald Sun December 06, 2007 12:00am
A MELBOURNE council has been left red-faced over grey ghosts swooping on federal election polling places, and issuing five times the normal number of parking fines.
Whittlesea Council handed out about 250 parking infringements on Saturday, November 24, but angry residents have forced a backdown.
After sending out infringement notices for $110 each, the council then sent out letters telling motorists they wouldn't have to pay.
Residents, some of whom were fined twice on the same day, say the mess was typical of the meddling council.
Whittlesea Director of Corporate and Economic Development John Francis said people shouldn't have to pay for doing their civic duty.
"Each letter will explain why the infringement notice was issued and inform the vehicle owners that council, in view of them being issued to people attending to their voting commitments, has decided to withdraw the notice," he said.
The parking infringements were for cars in no-stopping areas, close to intersections or occupying disabled parking bays without a permit.
The move to withdraw fines applied to all parking notices issued on election day near polling booths, between 8am and 6pm.
Residents have welcomed the move, but said the $110 fines were unreasonable, when voters had no choice but to park outside crowded allocated parking.