The changes bring to an end the ticketless system introduced by the previous Liberal-National Government in 2020. Under the ticketless system, instead of having the infringement notice left on the vehicle, the fine was sent by post, sometimes not being received until weeks after the incident.
Soon after the introduction of the previous government’s ticketless system, the NRMA and other stakeholders raised issues with the scheme, identifying that it removed transparency and make it more difficult for motorists to contest their fine.
In 2023/24, local councils issued 822,310 ticketless parking fines, a 49% increase over the 551,441 issued in 2022/23.
The Fines Amendment (Parking Fines) Bill 2024 restores fairness and transparency to the parking fine system by:
- Requiring councils to attach an on-the-spot notification to the vehicle.
- Requiring councils to take photos of offences and make them available for Revenue NSW to provide to drivers.
- Providing limited exceptions where an on-the-spot notification is not required, for example where it may be unsafe or hazardous for a ranger to do so.
- Invalidating ‘repeat’ ticketless parking fines, where drivers can be fined multiple times for the same offence before they even become aware of the first infringement.
- Introducing data reporting rules to evaluate if further reforms are necessary.
A working group, which has representatives from stakeholders including Local Government NSW, has been established by Revenue NSW to inform the drafting of regulations and assist with implementation.
Even before the bill passed, a number of councils began proactively providing on-the-spot notifications to drivers.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos:
“The community feedback on this issue has been clear, and dates all the way back to when ticketless parking was first introduced in 2020.
“No one likes getting a parking fine. Finding out about it two weeks later stings even more.
“Bringing back on-the-spot notification for parking fines is a common-sense reform and restores fairness and integrity to the parking fine system.
“I want to thank the councils which have already started issuing on-the-spot notifications again. There is nothing stopping other councils from joining them. It is clearly in the interest of drivers and the community.”
Quotes attributable to NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury:
“Since some councils began introducing the ticketless parking system four years ago it was clear the system was broken and needed to be fixed – for this reason the NRMA commends the NSW Government on today’s announcement.
Ticketless parking leaves motorists in the dark and robs them of the chance to contest their fine if they believe they have a legitimate case, the NRMA has been against this approach from day one.”
