Parking signs can be confusing at the best of times, but imagine leaving your car safely in a permit zone only to return to find it is under a no-stopping sign with a ticket on the windscreen.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This is what North Melbourne resident Mark Anderson says happened to him when Melbourne City Council switched parking signs without warning.
And, he says, he has the GPS data to prove it.
Mr Anderson says he parked his Volkswagen Polo on Leveson Street about 3.30pm on Sunday, June 5.
He lives nearby and says he has had a permit to park in the spot for the past seven years.
On Thursday, June 9, he was shocked to discover he had been stung with a $152 fine after a no-stopping sign had been erected in front of the spot because of roadworks.
"I thought it was ridiculous, because I wasn't informed at all about any changes to residents' parking because of any works," Mr Anderson said.
He wrote to the council to dispute the fine, expecting it to be overturned. Instead, he was told council records showed his car hadn't been parked in the spot when the signs were changed at 5am on June 8. He could either pay the fine or fight it in court.
"I was absolutely furious when I saw the letter," Mr Anderson said.
The IT consultant rarely drives his car, and usually walks to work.
He hires the vehicle out with car-sharing service Car Next Door, which is similar to home-sharing company Airbnb.
He has a GPS tracker installed in the car to calculate the cost to his customers, and he says this has provided proof his car was parked in the bay when the signs were changed.
GPS data provided to Mr Anderson by Car Next Door shows the car was idle at 3.31pm on June 5 and the ignition was not turned on again until 8.28pm on June 9.
"My car didn't move from the Sunday to the Thursday; that's what I can prove," he said.
Mr Anderson has sent the GPS data to the council but has yet to hear back.
He plans to fight the matter in court, but he is angry he will have to take a day off work to do so and is concerned he won't be successful.
"What amazes me is that I get one chance and it's my word against theirs," he said. "If I didn't have the luxury of the GPS data, I would absolutely have to pay the fine."
The area was changed back to a permit zone once the roadworks were completed.
A Melbourne City Council spokeswoman said the council could review the matter further in light of supporting evidence.
She said anyone who received a fine had the right to request an internal review.
