Vicki Megaloudis calls out NSW councils over ticketless parking fines

·

Vicki Megaloudis, a community services leader in Sydney, has spoken out against the continued use of ticketless parking fines by local councils, saying they are preventing elderly residents from accessing vital services.

Despite legislation banning ticketless parking fines being passed last November, councils are continuing to issue them until the law takes effect on July 1. More than 100,000 such fines have been handed out in the Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs in the past five months.

Among the councils refusing to revert to traditional paper tickets is the City of Sydney, which told The Daily Telegraph: “Motorists should be aware the current system of paperless fines remains in place until the legislation comes into force on July 1.”

Bayside Council is also continuing the practice using drive-by patrol vehicles, which has directly impacted Advance Diversity Services in Rockdale, where Ms Megaloudis works.

bayside council
Bayside Council continues to issue ticketless parking fines.

The service, which organises community outings for seniors, has struggled to find legal parking due to the fines. Drivers have been fined for stopping for “five minutes or less” in empty bus zones, to help older people into their community bus.

“Many of our clients use walkers or mobility aids,” Ms Megaloudis said. “They just want to be picked up to have a nice day out. It’s part of their connection to the community.”

She added that if rangers were issuing traditional fines on the spot, “drivers would be able to have a conversation and plead for commonsense.”

NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos previously said councils could return to paper fines immediately, but many have refused. Bayside Council said it will comply with the new law from July, but blamed state regulations for fines issued to community drivers who stop briefly in bus zones.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Back to Greece: Four journeys, one shared return

As the Back to Greece series closes, what remains is more than a collection of travel diaries - it’s a mosaic of memory and identity.

Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney to hold memorial marking 113 years since Lesvos’ liberation

The Mytilenian Brotherhood of Sydney will honour the 113th anniversary of the Liberation of Lesvos with a series of commemorative events.

Film Review: ‘Athens Midnight Radio’ is Haralambidis’ nocturnal love letter to Athens

The 30th Greek Film Festival opened last week and featured a screening of Renos Haralambidis’ Athens Midnight Radio (2024).

Elena Pappas honoured with the 2025 Stephen Myall Award

At the Law Institute of Victoria’s annual awards ceremony in October 2025, Elena Pappas was recognised with the Stephen Myall Award.

‘Fertility and Filoxenia’: Empowering conversations on fertility and IVF options

The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia and Greek Community of Melbourne invite everyone to attend a free educational event on fertility.

You May Also Like

Greek-owned Waratah Florist ‘blooming’ in lead up to Valentine’s Day

Anne Andrades from Waratah Florist spoke with The Greek Herald about what goes on in the flower world in the lead up to Valentine's Day.

EU approves $48.2b for Greece’s economic recovery

The EU is estimated to fund 30.5 billion euros (AU$48.26 billion) towards the plan to create jobs and boost economic growth.

Hatzidakis says Turkey’s objections will not block East Med

The East Med pipeline will proceed regardless of Turkey's objections, Greece's Energy and Environment Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said Saturday in statements to SKAI TV.