The ACT Government collected $9.13 million from the more than 100,000 parking fines issued to drivers in Canberra last financial year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
New data contained in reports to the ACT Legislative Assembly shows just 18 fines were dismissed in the courts in the same period, while a further 6,954 were withdrawn by officials after being challenged by drivers.
The number of parking tickets paid in full has increased by more than 5,000 since the 2011-2012 financial year, while the number dismissed in court fell by more than 50 per cent.
An average of 15 parking inspectors currently patrol the territory each day.
Canberra's parking regime is undergoing a major shake up as the ACT government introduces new restrictions in suburbs around the parliamentary triangle before paid parking is introduced on July 1.
In answers to questions from Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson, Attorney-General Simon Corbell showed the cost of issuing parking tickets in Canberra was approximately $43 per fine - as long as it is paid in full.
The cost to taxpayers of tickets that are withdrawn sky rockets to $471.
Tickets disputed by drivers that end up as the subject of a court hearing in the ACT bring an approximate cost of $5123.
Last financial year, 3221 interstate drivers received fines in the ACT, while no diplomatic vehicles received fines.
A total of 1,544 other tickets were also issued.
“The indicative additional costs for parking operation review and subsequent withdrawal of infringement by [the Office of Regulatory Services] is averaged across all estimated infringements issued,” the report states.
“In addition to the approximate unit cost shown, each matter that ends up at a court hearing will result in further costs; for example court hearing and DPP costs.”
Currently there are 110 categories for traffic offences and fines in the ACT.
Drivers who disobey a no parking sign or don't display proof or payment are required to pay the lowest infringement amount of $91.
The scale of fines extends as high as $486 for drivers who "display thing falsely resembling a parking ticket" or "display changed/damaged/defaced parking ticket".
General exemptions exist for emergency vehicles and vehicles that have stopped due to reasons beyond the driver's control.
Fines of $204 are payable by drivers who stop in parking areas for the disabled without a valid permit, and stopping on or near pedestrian or children's crossings can warrant a $305 hit to the hip pocket.
In addition to revenue from parking fines, the government received a total of $12,306,007 from pay parking machines and meters as well as $2,428,363 from parking permits.
More than 16,000 complaints were received in relation to ticket machine and parking meter faults, the Justice and Community Safety Directorate annual report shows.
Investing in what remains a lucrative source of public income, the ACT Government used last year's territory budget to provide $3.617 million over four years for more flexible arrangements for the payment of traffic and parking infringements.
---
The fine lines of parking in Canberra:
Disobeying a no stopping sign: $204 fine
Stopping on or near an intersection: $125 fine
Stopping on a clearway or freeway: $204 fine
Not parking at a specified angle: $91 fine
Stopping in a public bus zone: $123 fine
Stopping on a painted island: $111 fine