Wilson Parking run large multi-story car parks that mainly have boom gates. However, they also own a Company called Parking Enforcement Services who wheel clamp cars in states where wheel clamping by private companies is allowed (just Western Australia as far as I know).
In June 2012, Wilson Parking were in the spotlight due to their procedure of given credit notes rather than cash when giving change from their machines. See Herald Sun article of June 8th 2012. "Motorists parking at expensive multi-storey carparks are being issued IOUs instead of change".
Wilson Parking own Parking Enforcement Services, who will wheel clamp you and issue you fines.
I have recently noticed Wilson Parking making applications for preliminary discovery against Vicroads to obtain details of Victorian drivers. It i s not known which Wilson Parking car parks use the information. I have also notice a case listed in the Melbourne Magistrates court where Wilson Parking are suing someone for a debt, presumably a car parking debt from a Wilson Car Park. If anyone has information of these Wilson Parking court cases, can they please contact me.
ACCC Charge Wilson Parking
"WA Today" reported on October 9th 2009 that the ACCC had started legal proceedings against Wilson Parking which was described as "Australia's largest parking operator".
The ACCC says Wilson Parking charged for security patrols it never carried out. It says the Perth-headquartered company billed customers for mobile patrols but had missed making "a number" of inspections. Wilson Parking did not reduce its bills or provide refunds, for the missed inspections the court case claims.
Advertisement The ACCC says Wilson breached the Trade Practices Act. A hearing has been set for October 21 in the Federal Court in Perth . Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/watchdog-targets-wilson-parking-20091008-gowc.html#ixzz2YCqajvgY
Wilson Parking fees threat not legal
Gareth Parker reported in the West Australian on September 3, 2010. The shadnow attorney-general John Quigley say motorists are not under a legal obligation to pay $60 parking fines issued by Wilson Parking.
Wilson Parking had requested the Western Australian Government had over the details of 10,000 WA motorists. Mr Mr Quigley said Wilson relied on "bluff and bluster" to enforce the breach notices and that Wilson Parkikng "haven't got the power to fine people, they are not a government authority".
Mr Quigley went on to say that "If (Wilson) have imposed a $50 or $100 fine and put it on someone's windshield, that's not what they can recover in court. What they've lost under contract is the parking fee (of $5 or $10".
Wilson Parking refused to answer questions about the 20 motor vehicle owners whose details it obtained last month through a WA Supreme Court order, and its fresh demand that the Government hand over the details of 10,000 motorists it says have not paid parking notices. Wilson obtained the details of the 20 motorists under a Supreme Court rule that allows "discovery" of certain information in connection with the start of legal proceedings. Wilson yesterday refused to say if it planned to sue the 20 motorists.
Transport Minister Simon O'Brien said it was the Government's understanding that the 20 motorists' details could be used by Wilson only in connection with the start of court proceedings.
Wilson Parking had said in media statements that it wanted the information to send their customers "reminder letters". Wilson Parking chief Mr Craig Smith said: "Wilson will not comment on their legal strategy."
Wilson Parking caught issuing fake fines
Wilson Parking have been caught by the ACT Office of Fair Trading issuing fake fines. They have been forced to enter into an enforceable undertaking with FT. Read more ...
Parking Enforcement Services
When Wilson Parking first started issuing fines in its pay and display car park, it didn't want to damage its existing brand, so it created a subsidiary company called "Parking Enforcement Services" so as to distance Wilson Parking from the fines. Parking Enforcement Services is run out of the same building as Wilson Parking and its employees are considered employees of Wilson Parking.
Wilson Parking in Queensland
Wilson Parking are now operating in Queensland where a loophole in legislation allows them to obtain the name and address of the registered owner of a vehicle without a court order.
Wilson Parking in Northern Territory
Wilson Parking applied for preliminary discovery to the Darwin Magistrates Court on for access to the Northern Territory Motor Vehicle Registry database so it could contact those who had not paid parking fines issued in the Royal Darwin Hospital car park.
The NT’s Motor Vehicle Registry agreed to allow Wilson Parking to access motorists’ personal details including customers’ names and addresses from its data base. Read more...
However, the Northern Territory Transport Minister was furious he was not consulted, and that his department had decided on its own advice not to object to Wilson Parking obtaining the names and addresses. Read more...
The Minister then proposed legislation to prevent private car parks from obtaining the details of vehicle owners from his department. Read more...
Wilson Parking Court cases
D11617609 Wilson Parking Australia 1992 Pty Ltd vs Vicroads, Melbourne Magistrates' Court, 1/07/2013
D11071749 Wison Parking Australia Pty Ltd vs Glitman Boris, Melbourne Magistrates' Court 05/08/2013 Magistrates' Administrative Hearing, defence to claim, debt