By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE City of Casey is public enemy number one for unpaid fines in the state, according to the Victorian Sheriff’s Office.
Statistics released this month reveal a total of 31,360 City of Casey residents have a collective 252,259 outstanding warrants, totalling more than $84 million in unpaid fines – the worst municipality in the state.
And a local welfare organisation says its staff are dealing with clients with problem fines they can’t pay, on a weekly basis.
Cranbourne Information and Support Service (CISS) Executive Officer Leanne Petrides said the fines, issued for tolling, speeding and parking offences, came as no surprise to those working at the local welfare practice.
“People become so overwhelmed and they put it off and don’t respond to letters,” she said.
“The financial counsellor often has to spend someone’s first visit opening up bills, prioritising what needs to happen straight away.”
Hume City was the second-worst municipality for unpaid fines while Brimbank City was ranked third after the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) blitz in which close to 280,000 licence plates were scanned across the state.
The statistics were collated over the 2012-’13 financial year with the Sheriff’s Office actioning more than 1.1 million warrants in this time and arresting more than 2000 people – an increase of more than 27 per cent from the previous year.
Ms Petrides said when it came to vehicle infringements, many Casey residents felt they had no choice but to risk breaking the law.
“In the far outer reaches of Casey public transport is not ideal,” she said.
“They take their chance because they feel they have no option.”
Sherriff of Victoria Brendan Facey said whether it be at a shopping centre, at work or on the road, the Sherriff’s Officers would track down offenders.
“A small minority of people are seeking to avoid their fines and hope they can get away with it. The message from the Sheriff’s Office is that our officers will find you,” he said.
“With Sheriff’s Officers having the power to clamp cars, suspend drivers’ licences, confiscate assets and arrest people, it’s not a risk worth taking.”
Individuals can track and pay their outstanding fines at www.fines.vic.gov.au website or by visiting any of the justice service centres.
