City fines haul down

Andrew Mathieson
Geelong’s council recorded a shortfall in fines revenue last financial year after staff caught fewer residents breaking by-laws.
City Hall reaped more than $3.2 million from fines such as parking and pet infringements, down about $164,000 on the previous 12 months.
The change of bad habits also produced 1053 fewer infringements.
However, the City enjoyed a dramatic increase in revenue from on-street parking fees to $4.8 million.
A spokesperson said the City’s new parking meters were returning results.
“Revenue from fines is down slightly but this is compensated by a small increase in revenue from the new paper-ticket-issuing parking meters,” the spokesperson said.
Parking revenue makes up about four per cent of the City’s annual budget.
The City slugged Geelong residents about $2.8 million in parking fines for 46,418 offences, or about 148 a day, last financial year.
The City charges parking offenders about $60 for exceeding time limits.
Animal compliance penalties – at about $180 for each offence – dramatically dropped from 1739 to 1388 in 2008/09 for a fall in revenue of a $63,000 in fines.
Other infringements handed out during the year included fines for public alcohol consumption, unregistered motorbikes in public parks, fire safety notices, “unsightly” premises notices and littering.
The City spokesperson said the cash shortfall would not affect planned capital works or infrastructure projects or place pressure on council to freeze wages.
“The City is pleased at this reduction in revenue from fines (because) it indicates increased compliance from the public in areas such as parking and animal management,” the spokesperson said.
The Independent reported earlier this year that an Auditor-General investigation had exposed dodgy review systems at the City, which had left residents paying unfair fines.
The investigation criticised council for “poor records, inadequate procedures, failure to verify claims and inaccurate classifications”.