Care Park has been unlawfully issuing fines and parking fees on a vacant block near the West Gate Freeway says The Age newspaper. Care Park has been operating without a permit for over two years in Montague St. Port Phill Council's Geoff Outlon confirmed Care Park ran the the car park without a permit. Mr Outlon said that when car park users complained about the operation, the council sent two letters to Care Park asking it to cease operation. But Care Park ignored both letters, until the council threatened a fine, then legal action. Read more ....
A court heard that Care Park mimicked council infringment notices to penalise motorists a court has heard, says The Herald Sun newspaper. Consumer Affairs Victoria - which had warned motorists that Care Park has no power to issue fines at "free" supermarket car parks - intervened in Melbourne Magistrates Court to attempt to prevent Care Park from receiving motorist's details from Vicroads. Counsel for Consumer Affairs told the court that Care Park has engaged in conduct that might contravene the Fair Trading Act. The previous day, Consumer Affaris had issued a statewide alert about Care Park. Read more ....
Shoppers issued with fines by Care Park may not be legally obliged to pay them, with the matter under investigation for potential breach of the Fair Trading Act. On Friday Consumer Affairs Victoria issued a warning that Care Park Pty Ltd doesn't have the legislated authority to issue fines at "free" supermarket car parks. The Advocate reported the Care Park notices mimic council parking infringement tickets. In Victoria it's been reported that Care Park used the courts to obtain the addresses of more than 16,000 car owners this year alone, which added up to $1.4 million in "penalties". Read more ....
Preston Member of Parliament Robin Scott has told residents not to pay "fines" for overstaying at the Care Park carpark at Preston Market. Mr Scott said that Care Park did not have the authority to issue penalties to motorists. Mr Scott said "neither Australian National Car Parks nor Care Park have the power to issue fines", and that the ACCC was looking at the legality of the charges. Mr Scott added "The ACCC chairman has commented that from July 1, the companies 'claims for liquidated damages' are likely to be ruled an unfair contract term, and therefore not enforceable". Read more ....