Kingston to extend parking fine reimbursement program
Kingston Council will extend its Parking Infringement Reimbursement scheme until May 2021, to allow more time for eligible customers to come forward to claim refunds.
To date, around 40% of drivers who unsuccessfully appealed parking fines in Kingston between 2006 and 2016 and then paid the fine have applied for a refund, worth a total of around $855,000.
In 2019, Council decided to reimburse customers for their unsuccessfully appealed and subsequently paid fines following concerns raised over the wording of Victorian Government legislation governing how parking fine reviews should be handled.
Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley said Council wanted to ensure the process of applying for refunds was as quick and efficient as possible.
“First, we wrote to potentially eligible customers to let them know about the reimbursement scheme, we then partnered with Australia Post to give them a simple and efficient way to receive their reimbursement,” said Cr Oxley.
“Our teams have exhausted all avenues to get in contact with eligible customers, but we still have about 60% of those people who are able to claim a refund yet to get in contact with us so that’s why we have decided to keep the program open until May 2021.”
Council will review the scheme again in May 2021 to determine next steps.
Fines issued in Kingston between 2006 and 2016 that were appealed under the Infringements Act 2006 and then paid are eligible for a refund. Potentially eligible customers have been contacted by mail.
