Council votes to keep parking fines at maximum penalty.

Parking fines for multiple offences across South Gippsland will remain at $105 after councillors unanimously voted to retain the existing penalty rate on Wednesday, August 19.

The resolution keeps the fines at 0.5 penalty units, rather than allowing the prescribed baseline of 0.2 penalty units, or $42, to apply.

South Gippsland Shire Council adopted the recommendation unchanged at its meeting on Wednesday, August 19, with Cr John Schelling moving the motion and Cr Scott Rae seconding it.

Under the Road Safety Act, the prescribed baseline fine for certain parking offences is 0.2 penalty units, which is equal to $42 in 2026-27. Councils, however, can set the fine at a maximum of 0.5 penalty units, which is currently worth $105.

Council had previously approved the higher rate through its annual Fees and Charges Schedule. However, statutory fees are no longer included in that schedule, meaning a separate council resolution was required to retain the 0.5 penalty-unit rate.

Council’s report identified overstaying time limits as the municipality’s most common parking offence.

Cr Schelling said councillors had heard many complaints about vehicles occupying two and four-hour spaces beyond the time limit that’s allowed.

“Nothing ever seems to come from that,” he said.

“At the end of the day, if we increase the penalty, maybe we’ll stop some of these people parking where they shouldn’t and encourage more people to be able to park in their main streets.”

Cr Clare Williams rejected suggestions that the measure was being introduced to raise additional revenue.

“That’s not what it’s about,” she said.

“It’s supporting the community, local business and making sure that there’s improved parking (and) better turnover.”

Cr Williams said businesses had raised concerns about vehicles remaining outside their premises for half a day or longer, preventing other customers from accessing those spaces.

Cr Rae clarified that council had already been applying the 0.5 penalty-unit rate in previous years.

“It’s not about making it more expensive, but it’s just making sure it’s in line,” he said.

Council’s report said maintaining the higher fine would provide a stronger deterrent and hopefully make parking in the street fairer for locals.

Had the resolution not passed, the fines would have reverted to the base rate of 0.2 penalty units or $42.