Berwick resident John Hompot is at odds with Greater Dandenong council over a parking fine he said was issued while his Nissan Patrol was stolen.
By Shaun Inguanzo
THE CITY of Greater Dandenong is chasing payment of a parking fine from a Berwick resident who said his car was driven by thieves at the time.
John Hompot said he refused to pay the fine, and after reading the English Bill of Rights, he believes the council’s pursuit for cash is illegal.
Mr Hompot’s Nissan Patrol was stolen on 7 August last year.
When the car was recovered by police in Traralgon several weeks later, it contained a parking fine of $105 dated on 9 August and issued by Greater Dandenong Council.
A stressed Mr Hompot said he contacted the council immediately and was told by customer service that the fine had been cancelled.
But he said he received a notice from the City of Greater Dandenong requesting he pay the fine, which had increased to $123.90, several weeks ago – almost eight months after the fine was first issued.
“I sent a letter back saying I was not going to pay it,” he said this week.
“I sent it a couple of weeks ago but still haven’t heard back.”
Mr Hompot said he was angry that council pursued the fine after he explained that his car had been stolen.
He said he had read the Bill of Rights and drawn the conclusion that council’s pursuit for cash was ‘illegal’. “Obviously I want the fine dropped, but that’s not the real issue,” he said.
“If I did this as a business, and sent a request to people for money without a legal reason, I’d go to jail.”
But the City of Greater Dandenong’s regulatory services manager, Peter Shelton, said Mr Hompot had not told council the car was stolen, and requested the copy of the fee notice in April.
“On 18 April, council received a letter from the resident with no claims made to his car apparently being stolen in August 2005,” he said.
Mr Shelton said claims the fine was illegal were incorrect.
“His comments are not correct, as parking infringement notices issued are perfectly legitimate and valid.
“We are happy to talk with the resident about his outstanding infringement notice.”
But Mr Hompot insists he will wait for the council to acknowledge his correspondence personally.
“I am convinced they are fabricating (the comments) to cover their backs.
“I wrote them a letter, I am going to wait for a response,” he said.
