The NSW Government has revealed that local councils are issuing ticketless parking fines at record rates, with a 49% jump in use of the system in the 2023/24 financial year.

Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos first raised concerns with councils about the Print & Post system in March 2024, saying it failed to meet community expectations.

Under the ticketless parking fine system councils can issue fines without first giving drivers an immediate notification at the time the parking infringement is identified.

This makes gathering evidence difficult, reduces the impact of a fine to act as a deterrent, and means a driver could receive multiple infringements for parking in the same spot before receiving a notification.

Despite that, councils have doubled down on their use of the system, issuing 822,310 ticketless parking fines in the 2023/24 financial year, compared to 551,441 in 2022/23.

Overall, all council-issued parking fines in NSW (both ticketless fines and paper fines), increased by more than 110,000 – around 9% – between 2022/23 and 2023/24.

The Lismore App was asked by regular reader Steve, if Lismore City Council is required to notify someone if they are receiving a parking fine.

"My partner received a fine in the mail on Friday, more than a month after the alleged parking offence, which she has no idea of doing, of course, as the alleged offence was so long ago. I just wish to follow this up, but wondering if they are required to notify a fine will be issued."

A Lismore City Council spokesperson said, "Lismore City Council fines are issued in accordance with NSW legislation. Ticketed notification on vehicles is not a legislated requirement. Council uses a mix of ticketless and ticketed fines depending on the circumstances."

Since March 2024, Minister Houssos and Revenue NSW have been engaging with councils to understand how they use the ticketless parking fine system and share her concerns about its shortcomings.

Thirty councils across NSW have indicated to Revenue NSW or stated publicly they have already, or plan to, change adjust their operations to leave an instant, on-the-spot notification to drivers. Lismore City Council is not one of them.

Some councils have stated they are unwilling to make changes unless compelled through legislative change.

With consultation on the issue drawing to a close, the NSW Government will explore the next steps to ensure a consistent, fair and transparent approach for drivers.

Minister for Finance Courtney Houssos, “I’m grateful to the councils that have recognised the significant issues with the ticketless parking system introduced by the previous Liberal-National Government.

“I have spoken to mayors and councils from across the state, and many agree there is a fundamental issue with a failure to notify drivers at the time of the fine.

“The community feedback has been overwhelming in favour of councils providing drivers with on-the-spot notifications of parking fines.

“Councils should come to the table and deliver a solution which embraces transparency and fairness.

“If councils aren’t willing to provide a common-sense fix, the NSW Government will step in and use our policy levers to ensure the ticketless parking fine system meets community expectations.”