Penalty Notice

Payment of a penalty notice is made to the State Debt Recovery Office. The back of the penalty notice outlines a number of payment options which include:

• payment via website
• by phone
• by mail
• in person at a Post Office or
• B-Pay (refer to SDRO website for B-Pay details)

(Note: Council does not accept payment of penalty notices. Payment must be made to the State Debt Recovery Office)

If you believe the penalty has been issued in error you have the right to appeal.  This can be done by requesting a 'review' of the penalty through State Debt Recovery Office or you may have the matter heard in court.

If you are having financial difficulties and can’t afford to pay the penalty in full you may contact the State Debt Recovery Office and request to make payment of the penalty by instalments.

Plea of guilty and costs

If you attend court and plead guilty, the court will deal with the offence on the basis of evidence given by the council in writing or orally. The court may impose a fine or not proceed to record a conviction. In either case the prosecutor for the council will seek an order for court costs and professional costs. These costs are at the discretion of the court.

Plea of not guilty and costs

If you plead not guilty and proceed to a defended hearing, the court will decide the matter on evidence at the hearing. If the court finds the offence proven, it may impose a fine or not proceed to record a conviction. In either case the prosecutor for the council will seek an order for court costs and professional costs. These costs are at the discretion of the court. Defendants should note that if you fail at a defended hearing, the professional costs sought will be higher than for a guilty plea.

What are court costs?

Court costs are the costs payable to the court by the council for issue of the court attendance notice.

What are professional costs?

These are costs payable by the council to its lawyers for preparation of cases and attendance at the court.