Request a parking fine review
If you have recently received a parking fine from Merri-bek Council, by law you can request only one internal review of your fine.
View your fine details
Before applying for a review, view your fine details and any photos taken.
After viewing your fine details, pay the parking fine or appeal the infringement by requesting a review.
You can view details of fines issued after 15 February 2018.
Grounds we will not consider
The following are not valid grounds to withdrawal an infringement:
- Being new to Merri-bek or unfamiliar with the parking restrictions
- Appointments running overtime
- Stopping for a short time in a prohibited area, even if it is just to pick up or drop off people or goods
- Running out of petrol, or experiencing vehicle issues that did not require repair or towing
- A parking ticket or permit displayed incorrectly (for example, face-down or blown off the dashboard)
- Parking signs - not noticing or misreading a parking sign, being unable to read a parking sign, reading only part of a multi-panel sign, poor visibility due to weather, not noticing that a sign or restriction has been changed
- Ticket machines - Re-feeding a ticket machine, not having change to put in the ticket machine, left vehicle to get coins to put in the ticket machine, or put money in the wrong ticket machine
- Permit zones - Residents with a parking permit that have parked in the incorrect permit zone, parking in a permit zone without a permit, displaying a parking permit in a street other than the street shown on the permit
- Being unaware of the Road Rules (all licensed drivers are expected to be aware and comply with the Road Rules at all times).
Grounds which you can request a review
Infringements legislation provides the following five review categories:
- Contrary to law: you believe you didn’t commit an offence.
- Exceptional circumstances: there were unforeseen and verifiable circumstances outside of your control that could excuse your conduct. For example, a medical emergency or vehicle breakdown.
- Mistaken identity: you believe the fine was issued to the incorrect person or vehicle. For example, you weren’t in the alleged location. You may nominate the driver using the Nomination Statement (PDF 541Kb).
- Special circumstances: this is a specific term defined in infringements legislation, where a driver is unable to either understand or control the conduct that led to the offence due to:
- a mental or intellectual disability, disorder, disease or illness
- a serious addiction to drugs, alcohol or a volatile substance
- homelessness
- family violence.
- Person unaware: you didn’t receive the fine because you changed your address with VicRoads around the same time you incurred the fine.
In this case, you need to appeal within 14 days of becoming aware and provide evidence that you weren't aware. If you changed address, you must have notified VicRoads within 14 days of moving. Council will not withdraw the infringement on this ground but will consider waiving additional costs incurred.
If there is a faulty parking ticket machine or sign, there must be a record of the fault being reported to Council.
More information is available on the Victorian Government Fines Victoria website.
How to apply for a review
You must lodge a review within 28 days of receiving the fine.
All reviews must be done in writing – we can’t review your fine over the phone or in person. We’re unable to review fines that have already been paid.
Information you need to provide
You need to provide all relevant information and supporting documentation to Council when you request a review.
If insufficient information is provided, we may not accept the review or we may contact you for additional details. If this information is not received by the specified date, a decision will be made based on the information we have.
If you experienced a medical emergency, you must provide a letter from the hospital or treating medical practitioner confirming the emergency on the day.
If you experienced a mechanical breakdown, you need to provide an invoice or receipt for mechanical or roadside assistance or towing.
Apply in writing
Request a parking fine review online. This will take about 5 to 20 minutes to complete. Please have supporting documents ready before you start.
Alternatively, complete the Application for Internal Review form (DOC 71Kb). Include your name and postal address, the infringement notice number, vehicle registration number, an explanation of why you believe the infringement notice should be reviewed and any supporting documentation.
Post to Moreland City Council, Locked Bag 10, Merri-bek 3058 or deliver to a Customer Service Centre.
The Mayor and Councillors are unable to have any involvement in Council's administrative functions and are therefore unable to influence or respond to infringement notices or appeals.
What happens after you apply
By law, Council has up to 90 days to respond to an appeal.
When we receive an appeal, the infringement is placed on hold. You are not required to pay the fine or do anything during the review period.
When we carry out an internal review of an infringement, we consider all available information, including:
- information collected by the issuing officer
- circumstances outlined in your request
- supporting documentation provided, and
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requirements under the relevant legislation.
Once a decision is made, Council advises you of the outcome. Should the infringement be upheld, you will be advised of a new payment date.
At this time, if you do not pay the infringement by the due date or request a payment extension from Council, you incur additional costs.
You may elect to have the matter dealt with in the Magistrates Court. You need to notify Council in writing Merri-bek City Council, Locked Bag 10 Merri-bek 3058.