Issued Fine for Parking in No Standing Zone (Missing No-Standing Sign)

Recently been issued a parking infringement of $182 for parking in no-standing zone. I was pretty sure there was no signage of no-standing where i parked, unfortunately no-standing sign has been missing and google images of same spot shows a sign which is now missing.

I applied for a review with council and submitted evidence of old google photos from the spot no-standing sign is now missing, unfortunately it was rejected by council.

Wondering what the possibility of is getting this infringement cancelled if I contest this at Magistrates court. Thanks for your help.

closed Comments

  • +6

    Wait… so rather than go visit the spot to take photos of no signage, you used google street?!?!

    • Did both, took photos of actual spot and used google street photo to show sign when it was there.

    • used mspaint to remove the sign :P

  • +6

    If your combined income is anywhere near where it was, is the day in court really worth the $182?

    • -1

      TBH i wasnt sure if it will take a whole day in court or few hours. Can skip few houts or take long lunch to sort this. Income is not a concern, but why pay for something when I am not at fault.

      • +3

        Most of the time these will take most of the day, as you'll need to be there from the start of the day and then wait to be called in, which could be any time

        but why pay for something when I am not at fault.

        If there's a difference between forking out $182, and not getting an income of ~$500 for the day (and not even knowing if you'll win or not), then which makes more sense?

        You're not gonna change the status quo, or give it to the council. They'll send someone who's paid by the hour and won't care that they're sitting around doing nothing. They won't care if they win or lose.

        • Thanks for insight. Question still remain what are the chances of getting this cancelled. Missing a day off work and spending all day in court is not worth my time.

      • Could you give an update on your current situation 5 years on from that post, would just be interesting to know!

    • if combined income was 300k would you even care about this

  • +7

    Council can't enforce anything if the signage is not present, unless you're breaching a road rule (such as parking within 10m from the corner or in front of a driveway).

  • +4

    Ignore the old Google street view pictures of there once being a sign there, that just confuses the issue.

    If you have current photos of the spot with no "No Stopping" sign there, present those and say 'As you can see, I had no notification that it was a no stopping zone, please cancel my fine".

    If they don't have a photo of your car in the zone with a No Stopping sign visible, you will likely win.

    (This is assuming it's not inherently a no stopping area like a bus zone or god knows what)

  • Which council?

    These days they provide photographs of the sign in view.

    Did they provide you with evidence?

    Was there a yellow line on the road to indicate no stopping?

    • Hobsons Bay City Council. No evidence provided.

      • How does stuff work down there, do you pay the council or State Revenue?

  • The infringement notice should state what rule has been breached. Not all 'No Stopping' areas need to have an accompanying sign and can be informed through other various means. Eg. parking too close to intersection, parking against double or solid centre line (and not leaving 3 metres clear), etc.

    Also, generally signs can't be more than 70 metres apart. So if the claimed missing sign was within 70 metres of another, the restriction still applies despite your missing sign.

  • Take it to court. Also ask for the days wages and legal fees to be paid by the local council. You have enough evidence

    • +2

      You have enough evidence

      And what makes you say that?

      • +5

        Some dude called Belv on ozbargain said so

      • -3

        If you could read, he said he has a photo of the spot he was fined missing the no standing sign. Also a google image showing it missing. Most likely the enforcer dosent have the photo showing the sign either. I think it's a easy win, how can someone be fined parking in a no standing area if there is no sign …..

        • +3

          They also said other signs were there. Signs remain in effect until cancelled by another sign or an intersection is reached. They have no recourse.

        • +1

          If you could read

          Lol take some of your own advice

          Do you prefer pictures instead? Have a look at the Google Maps pictures, there's signs at each end of the street (small street too)

          • @spackbace: @spackbace: So he has a photo. The parking inspector dosent……

            • @Belv: Lol you really think the other signs don't exist right now, that they can't just take a photo for court?

              OP has acknowledged there's still 2 signs at the ends of the street, with arrows pointing to where they were parked. What counter evidence is there?

              Have you had your meds today?

              • +1

                @spackbace: No they can't just take a photo a month later and use it as evidence. The evidence the inspector took at the time of the offence is the evidence supplied to the court for the council's side. Most likely he didn't take it for the reason the sign was not displayed but they knew it was no parking anyways . I think he has a case as a judge has the ability to show common sense unlike you

                • +1

                  @Belv: So, the 2 other signs mean nothing to you?

                  Despite even the OP acknowledging that they're there, and that they can't win?

                  • @spackbace: Above OP says one is there and by law OP is SOL.

                • @Belv: Unless the Magistrate is in a really bad mood. Could go either way.

  • What time were you parked there?

  • +1

    This is the real question.

    Why does this series 2 VT Commodore is Glenelg Way have series 1 tail lights?

    • +2

      It's really a VN that's been tarted up

      I know it makes sense, and you're welcome

      • +2

        It is in Seabrook so that makes sense. Cheers.

  • +1

    If the signage is as in the google link then you’re out of luck. There is a beginning and end sign for the zone, just not the middle one.

    Maybe if you can find somewhere in the traffic legislation that signs must be no more than xxx m from a parking space you might have a chance, but I don’t like your chances.

    • There is also a sign in the middle, if you look from another angle

      • that sign and pole is missing now

        • hmm. However, if the signs at the beginning and end of the street are still there, I doubt that you will have much of a chance convincing a grumpy magistrate. I know its more a matter of principle than money, and having been rejected by council, might be a tough argument in court (especially if they are having a bad day). I would contact council again, and request any photographic evidence (which will probably incur a fee).

          All the best. :)

  • This is a very odd place to make a street "no stopping". Could someone care to explain? I guess it has to do with preventing through traffic so pedestrians are "safer" as they get to/from the nearby school. Personally I would not want to park here to access the school, it would take forever to get in/out of the suburb.

    • 1 side is 10min only during school pickup/dropoff times, so I'd guess that if there's parked cars on the other side of the road that there's stuff all room to drive between, which would cause congestion

      • I was thinking it must be congested, shallow and dangerous, especially if there are kids getting in and out of cars.

      • +1

        Interesting, now it kind of makes sense. Good exercise for the parents to pick up their kid in under 10 minute. Imagine if the councils/ governments built proper transit systems instead of relying on cars.

  • +1

    take it to court
    high court
    federal court
    international court
    UN court

    fight for the little man

    legend gets used alot these days but u are a capital L

  • Well is there a no standing sign there?

    It's pretty clear cut and google street view doesn't really help you unless it's taken on the day of your fine.
    Yes you can get it over turned
    Just need evidence that the no standing sign wasn't there.

    Simplez
    If you can't prove that there's a no standing sign there then gotta do the time and pay the fine.

  • I had the same argument a few years ago with a council in northern Melb. Argued a sign was missing from maybe a row of 3 or 4 same signs (maybe they were permit parking signs or no standing - cannot remember) but the council pulled out some regulation saying it was not a relevant factor as the regulations only required signs to be "x" metres apart, which was still met even with the missing sign. Suggest you try to dig up those regs before running to court.

  • Closed by OP request

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