Parking Infringement at Monash Uni (VIC)

Craze on 07/05/2017 - 23:23
Last edited 08/05/2017 - 09:41

I just received a parking infringement at Monash Uni Clayton campus whilst at the sports centre this evening.

Scenario:

They've been doing some building works around the area. I haven't been for about 6 weeks and when I was there today they have closed off a quarter of the carpark. I took the spot of a car leaving the carpark and didn't think of anything untoward and made my way. Came back to my car about 2.5 hours later to find a parking fine (issued 5.09pm) for parking "unreasonably obstructing the path of vehicles". It was then I realised that although it is a parking spot (with the parking box outlined), because part of the carpark have been closed off the spot I parked in is meant to be a thoroughfare for cars to drive through and exit the carpark (rather than reversing).

My question is: what are my chances of having the fine revoked? There wasn't additional signage indicating that the parking spot (and the one directly in front of it) should not be used; and because there was another car parked there previously, I naturally assumed it was a legal parking spot (technically is). The fine says I can appeal once, but only one application for internal review will be considered and if rejected I will have to pay the fine anyway. I don't think I'm 100% at fault here, however I think my chances of success are rather slim.

Edit: Sharing photos
Photos

Poll Options

  • 18
    Pay the fine and move on
  • 23
    Put up a fight!
Automotive

Related Stores

Monash University
Monash University

Comments

  • Unorthodox on 08/05/2017 - 00:23

    Did you park on the big arrow on the ground directing traffic to go forward? That should be a good enough indicator that it is not longer a parking spot.

    • Craze on 08/05/2017 - 00:59

      No, the arrow wasn't on the ground, definitely not on the spot I parked on!

  • vietken89 on 08/05/2017 - 06:13

    Can we get a picture, I know monash clayton but can't get a picture in my head hahaha

  • sparkles on 08/05/2017 - 06:28
    +5

    What have you got to lose? Appeal it. If you lose, pay the fine only then. It might pay to return and take some photos showing the inadequate signage or complete lack thereof. If you can get photos of other cars doing the same thing it might add weight to your argument.

    Monash Clayton is literally the shittiest place in Melbourne for parking if you are not familiar with the rules and permits. The fact that they have parking inspectors roaming an educational institution speaks volumes.

    • EightImmortals on 08/05/2017 - 07:56

      'Education' became all about the money decades ago. :)

    • scrambledeggs on 08/05/2017 - 08:29
      +1

      University of QLD has fiendish parking inspectors. They work all day from 8.00am to 9.00pm.

      • Wampus on 08/05/2017 - 09:56

        Agreed, I'm not a student there but attend as a tech on a regular basis. We have signs on our cars and park in contractor bays and they fine us all the time. We told the uni we were no longer going to attend if they kept fining us for parking where we were told to park. They rescinded the tickets, but we still get them on a regular basis. We now just give the tickets back to the uni and they rip them up. I'm sure they're paid per ticket issued.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/05/2017 - 07:59
    +1

    Fight for your right to party

  • jjjaar on 08/05/2017 - 08:39

    Was there a sign as you entered the car park saying "park in bays only"? Was the spot you parked in clearly defined as a bay?

  • oscargamer on 08/05/2017 - 09:16
    +3

    i would say you have a good argument, in that you parked in a marked bay

    why else would there be a marked bay, if it's not for parking in?

    if they didn't want you to park in it, they should have burnt the markings off, or sprayed cross-hatch markings to designate no parking

    i don't usually advocate objecting to pissy parking tickets, usually not worth the time, effort and stress, but this one feels like one that should be fought…..

    you do get only one go at an internal review, but if that is rejected, you can still opt to go to court

    let us know

  • akajin on 08/05/2017 - 09:23

    You need to ask if a Traffic Management Plan exist for the building works and see if it was followed.
    If there is no traffic management plan or if it wasn't followed you should have a good case for appeal.

    • Craze on 08/05/2017 - 09:25

      Good point, I will have to ring Monash and ask today. I have gone back last night to take photos (in case they put up something else today) as evidence, I just need to upload them and share it here.

      Edit: How do I upload photos here? Do I have to do it via an external site and share the link?

      • marzbar on 08/05/2017 - 10:44
        +1

        At the top of the page, click on "My Account" and then click on "files". Upload and copy/paste the link here.

        Or click here, it'll take you directly to your upload page.

  • apple2016 on 08/05/2017 - 10:31

    You could ask for evidence of the infringement as well. Maybe it shows something else. otherwise it looks like a perfect parking bay.

    The fine says I can appeal once, but only one application for internal review will be considered and if rejected I will have to pay the fine anyway

    this is not true.
    Also even if the review is rejected you can always take it to the court.

  • hashtagbargain on 08/05/2017 - 11:41
    +1

    Craze, this might sound outlandish, but do nothing.

    Private parking enforcement groups dont have access to your data and though they can fine your car, they cant fine you. Due to recent privacy legislation, they'll need a court order to get your details and it wont be worth it for them to go after you down this route for less than $100.

    So my advise is - take a chance and keep quiet. Just dont get a ticket again!

    • djkelly69 on 09/05/2017 - 00:55

      Is this a private parking arrangement? I thought unis generally had arrangements with council or whoever so they were legally allowed to fine you.

  • Fiximol on 08/05/2017 - 14:05

    Just file a dispute and be civil about it. They haven't been unreasonable to me in the past (I forgot my parking permit a few times after swapping cars).

  • Banana on 08/05/2017 - 22:00

    Why don't you post on Monash Stalkerspace? Surely you will get more responses than on Ozbargain.

    • Craze on 09/05/2017 - 08:58

      Didn't know of it's existence! Anyhow I've filed an appeal last night but it bounced back, apparently they're having issues with that e-mail so I'll have to either fax or post it in. Maybe I should take hashtagbargain's advice and just keep quiet about it.

  • Craze on 08/07/2017 - 20:00

    Thought I should provide an update regarding my appeal. I have just received a letter back by Monash University refusing to withdraw the fine, despite acknowledging the provided photographs and comment regarding the lack of signage. The letter says "Road Rule applies throughout the State of Victoria and no signage is required for this offence (Regulation 208 (1) (8) ). It is also written "illegal/inconsiderate actions of one motorist do not exempt another from parking illegally (as I'd mentioned in my appeal letter that I was taking a spot as another car just left).

    I'm absolutely shocked that despite the evidence provided that Monash still refuses to withdraw the fine. I'm seriously considering bringing this matter to court as I think it's just a money making rort!

  • smittenkitten on 30/04/2018 - 11:00

    Can you post an update for all of us please? I just parked for 15 minutes to use the bathroom and got back to a fine. The parking bays do not have signage and we chose to park there because it was not a red permit area.

    I can't help but to feel taken advantaged of.

    • Craze on 30/04/2018 - 22:12

      Did you park at the same car park area (I.e. directly opposite Monash sport with building works)? As they have put up no standing sign on the blue canvas now, although I still see some cars parking at that bay from time to time.

      In my case, I wrote back to say I’d like to take the case to court and have heard nothing back since. I’m confident I have a strong case as I have taken photo evidence and tried my best to explain to Monash authorities so a work colleague advised I could take it to court.

      You might also consider hashtagbargain’s suggestion above to ignore the fine as they don’t have your personal details. In my experience I would not bother even dealing with Monash, they have basically wiped their hands clean and told me back then that they can’t do anything else (including revoking the fine).

      If you feel you have a strong case as well I suggest taking photo evidences of the you parked; appeal with your justification and elect to take to court if rejected. Or simply ignore the fine as mentioned.

      Good luck and let us know how you go.

      • smileatme123 on 03/07/2019 - 14:04

        @craze and @smittenkitten : Did you end up paying the fine?

  • Bottle-thief on 15/10/2018 - 14:54

    Has anyone tried ignoring the fine? They appear to be handed out by Tenix solutions.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join