Adelaide Council parking fine appeals

More than a quarter of drivers who appeal against Adelaide City Council parking fines are successful, denying council revenue of nearly $1 million a year.

Adelaide council has written off 2329 fines worth $233,600 from 8679 written appeals, a 27 per cent success rate for drivers getting off council parking fines. Breakdowns, medical emergencies and faulty ticket machines are among the most common reasons given. An additional 7,227 fines have been cancelled after drivers appealed in person or by phone, or when the council could not determine who owned the vehicle, owners were too old to bother pursuing or cars had been defected. The total value of the 9,556 fines and reminder fees waived in 2012-13 to June 26 was a total of $958,700.Mike Philippou, the council's finance and corporate services general manager, said "We believe council has achieved a good balance when it comes to parking infringement notices, and we assess each dispute individually. "The easiest way for people to avoid parking fines is to abide by rules and time limits." Mr Philippou said watch alarms and smartphone apps such as Parkbud were good ways to avoid being fined.Over the past year, the council has used magistrates' court orders to obtain payments on almost 20,000 fines worth more than $2.15 million. It is still owed $3.7 million in unpaid fines and reminder fees. One motorist has accrued 256 fines and has to pay back $25,077 through a court-ordered payment plan. The number of written appeals lodged with the council jumped markedly in 2011-12, after the State Government doubled the cost of a standard parking fine from $22 to $43. It is now $44.Reminder fees are $48, plus $7 for councils to have the Transport Department search for vehicle owner details.Written objections to fines may be lodged with the council by letter, email or through an online form on its website .

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