Infringements, also known as a fine or a penalty notice, are issued under State Legislation. Infringements can be issued when a law or regulation is broken i.e. animal management, parking, health or local laws.
Infringements may be handed to you, sent in the mail or they may be placed on your vehicles windscreen.
If you do not act by the due date written on the infringement notice, you may be issued with a Penalty Reminder Notice and may incur additional costs.
What are my options?
Pay your infringement
You can pay your infringement by the due date in a number of ways:
- Visiting the Swan Hill Council Office or the Robinvale Resource Centre in person
- Call 03 5036 2333
- Mail a copy of your infringement notice with a cheque made out to
“Swan Hill Rural City Council”
PO Box 488, Swan Hill, 3585
Request an internal review
What types of infringements can I appeal?
- Animals
- Local Law
- Health
- Parking
On what grounds can I request a review?
Under the Infringements Act 2006, you or someone acting on your behalf (with your consent) can apply to have an infringement notice reviewed if:
- The decision conflicts with the law
- The decision involved mistaken identity
- Special circumstances apply to the person
- There are exceptional circumstances relating to the infringement offence
The decision made by Council is final. If you don’t agree with Council’s decision you can choose to have the matter heard in the Magistrates’ Court. You must notify Council in writing of your intention to go to court.
How to apply for a review
All requests for review must be received by Council before the due date shown on the notice. You may only make an objection once per infringement notice, as per Section 22(2)(e) of the Infringements Act 2006.
You will be notified in writing as to the result of your objection.
Apply online for an internal review of your infringement noticeAlternatively you can submit your objection by sending a written letter to:
Swan Hill Rural City Council, PO Box 488, Swan Hill, 3585
Request a court hearing
If you don’t agree with Council’s decision after an internal review, you can choose to have the matter heard in the Magistrates’ Court.
You must notify Council in writing of your intention to go to court, you can do this by:
- Visiting the Swan Hill Council Office or the Robinvale Resource Centre in person
- Email: council@swanhill.vic.gov.au
- Call 03 5036 2333
- Send a written letter to: Swan Hill Rural City Council, PO Box 488, Swan Hill, 3585
Please note that additional costs may be incurred if you chose to have the matter referred to court.
Nominate the person responsible of the vehicle
If you have received a parking fine, you may nominate the person responsible of the vehicle at the time of the offence. An operator owner onus form (included with your fine) must be completed and returned to Council before the due date on the infringement notice to avoid further costs being incurred and issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.
You can return the operator owner onus form by :
- Visiting the Swan Hill Council Office or the Robinvale Resource Centre in person
- Email: locallaws@swanhill.vic.gov.au
- By mail to: Swan Hill Rural City Council, PO Box 488, Swan Hill, 3585
Payment plan / extension of time to pay
Having difficulty paying your fine? We have options available to help
- Payment plan
- Extension of time to pay
Applications must be submitted before the specified due date on the infringement notice.
Apply for a payment plan / extension of time to payWhat happens if I don’t pay my infringement?
If you do not pay or request an internal review for your infringement by the specified due date on the notice, you may incur additional costs. The longer you wait, the more it may cost you.
If left long enough it may result in:
- Significant additional costs being incurred
- A Sheriff’s Officer may seize or sell your property, wheel clamp or impound your car, remove vehicle number plates or arrest you.
The fines lifecycle