Driver issued incorrect parking fine because of vandalised sign

The NSW government is refusing to revoke a parking fine that was incorrectly issued to a driver by a parking ranger who misread a vandalised sign.

Nikita Kersten claims she had parked in the exact spot many times before because it was located outside the home of a family member on the NSW Central Coast.

On this occasion, the “no stopping” sign in the vicinity had been vandalised to look as though her parking area was also off limits.

But as the arrow on the sign had quite clearly been vandalised, Ms Kersten, carried on parking there as usual. She was subsequently shocked when she received an infringement notice in the mail for $263.

“There was an arrow pointing to the left that had clearly been painted on so I was surprised to get the fine,” Ms Kersten told Ben Fordham on 2GB Radio.

The vandalised "no stopping' sign Nikita Kersten was issued an infringement notice over. Source: 2GB
The vandalised "no stopping' sign Nikita Kersten was issued an infringement notice over. Source: 2GB

She emailed NSW Revenue twice with photographs of the vandalised sign, but claims the government agency refused to revoke the fine.

“We acknowledge your comments indicating the sign was vandalised and this contributed to this offence, however, we are unable to cancel the penalty,” the response read.

“The issuing authority also reviewed the matter and confirms the penalty was correctly issued and still applies.”

Ms Kersten said she made several more attempts to fight the fine, but NSW Revenue would not waive the infringement.

“It’s the principal so I thought, I need to do something further about it," she told Fordham.

“I’m not going to pay the fine.”

Following Ms Kersten’s interview on 2GB on Thursday, the NSW Minister of Finance, Damien Tudehope, contacted Fordham's show to say the Commissioner of Revenue would be investigating the matter.

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