Cade Lucas
Saturday, September 14 was a tough day for Sunshine man, Paul Whelan.
He and his family had gone to Pennell Reserve in Braybrook to watch their son play for Albion in the Western Football Netball League division two reserves grand final against Sunshine.
Not only did Albion lose the reserves (and the seniors) and everyone get drenched in the rain and hail storms that swept across the ground that afternoon, but Mr Whelan and his son Ross returned to their cars to find $119 parking fines issued by Maribyrnong council.
“It’s not 20 dollars, it’s pretty substantial,” said Mr Whelan of the fine that he has until the end of next month to pay.
While the cost is significant, Mr Whelan is more annoyed by the lack of warning, saying he’d parked in the same grassed area just off Cranwell Street at earlier finals without being fined.
“When they played Sunshine in the preliminary (final) that area was packed as well, but they didn’t fine anyone,” he said, adding that there were no signs warning motorists not to park on the grass either.
Mr Whelan accused Maribyrnong council of using the grand final crowd to raise revenue.
“They’re holding a major event there and there’s very limited parking,” he said.
“I just think it’s a bit rough.”
Mr Whelan said he drove around the ground multiple times to find a suitable park, but that the grass was the only option with his wife’s mobility issues making a spot close to the ground a necessity.
“My wife can walk a bit of distance but not 200 meters or something, it’s a bit of a struggle for her.”
In a statement to Star Weekly, Maribyrnong council chief executive Celia Haddock dismissed claims of revenue raising.
“Pennell Reserve is one of several locations regularly patrolled within the municipality, and infringements are issued to vehicles breaching road safety rules, including on 7 and 14 September at this location,” she said, adding that grassed areas don’t require no parking signs.
“Under Section 127 of the Victorian Road Safety Road Rules 2017, vehicles cannot stop on nature strips, paths, dividing strips, and painted or traffic islands. As this is a violation of state road rules, signage is not required.”
