We understand the coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a significant impact on our community so we are putting measures in place to support our community members who have received infringement notices and are experiencing hardship.

While your infringement will not be withdrawn as a result of the financial hardship caused by COVID-19, we are able to offer you an extension of time to pay until 28 February 2021. 

Below you can apply for an extension if you are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.

Apply for COVID 19 extension

In February, we will write to each person who has received this extension and provide more information about the options available at that time.  This could include a further extension of time to pay or an instalment plan.

For those who have already received an extension to 30 September 2020, you will soon receive a letter offering an extension to 28 February 2021.

All infringement holders have the following options available to them at any time:

• Payment arrangement with Fines Victoria: A payment arrangement can allow a person with multiple fines from different enforcement agencies to pay by instalments or by an extended due date. To apply for a payment arrangement, write to Council requesting that your infringement/s be referred to Fines Victoria.

• Work and Development Permit (WDP): A WDP is an initiative to provide vulnerable and disadvantaged people with a non-financial option to address their fine debt. For more information regarding this scheme, and to identify an accredited sponsor, please contact the WDP Operational Team on 1300 323 483 or go to the Fines Victoria website.

Payment plans - instalment plans

New plans

We are currently unable to offer any new instalment plans due to the circumstances associated with COVID-19. Any person who applies for an instalment plan will instead be granted an extension of time to pay to 30 September 2020.

In September, we will write to each person who has received this extension and provide more information about the options available at that time.  This could include a further extension of time to pay or an instalment plan.

Current plans

To continue to make payments in accordance with your payment plan schedule you can visit Council's Customer Service Centres, send payment by cheque or money order, or pay online using the button above.

If paying online, you will need to change the "amount to pay" to the payment instalment amount indicated on your payment plan schedule sent to you by Bartels Taylor and Associates.

If you are experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19 and are unable to make payments in accordance with your current payment plan schedule, please contact the Infringement Management Unit by email at contactus@hume.vic.gov.au or submit a hardship application above.

Your instalment plan will be cancelled and payment will be extended until 28 February 2021.  You will be contacted in February to advise of the options available at that time, which may be a further extension or the reinstatement of your instalment plan.

If you believe you should not have received an infringement, you may apply to Council for a review.

The grounds for your appeal may be:

• Contrary to law: you believe the infringement notice is invalid or you did not commit an offence.
• Exceptional circumstances: there are verifiable and unforeseen circumstances that are outside of your control which could excuse the conduct for which the infringement notice was issued.
• Mistake of identity: you believe the infringement has been issued to the incorrect person or company.
• Person unaware: you were unaware of the infringement notice being issued and are seeking to have the additional costs withdrawn. (The original penalty amount will still need to be paid)
• Special circumstances: you were unable to either understand or control the conduct that led to the offence due to:
  • A mental or intellectual disability, disorder, disease or illness.
  • A serious addiction to drugs, alcohol or a volatile substance.
  • Homelessness.
  • Family violence.

Special circumstances

If you had a mental or intellectual condition or illness, were homeless, experiencing family violence or had a serious dog or alcohol addiction at the time of the offence, you may be able to apply to have the infringement reviewed under special circumstances.

Special circumstances may apply to you if, at the time of the offence:

• you had a mental or intellectual disability, disorder, disease or illness, or a serious drug or alcohol addiction, that meant you either:
  • didn't understand the behaviour was against the law
  • couldn't control the behaviour that was against the law
• you were homeless and your homelessness meant you couldn't control the behaviour that was against the law
• you were the victim of family violence and that meant you couldn't control the behaviour that was against the law.

 Supporting documentation from a relevant practitioner will need to be provided to support your application.  This supporting letter can be from one of the following:

• in the case of a mental or intellectual condition:
• • general practitioner
  • psychologist, psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse.
• in the case of a serious addiction to drugs or alcohol:
• • general practitioner
  • psychologist or psychiatrist
  • case manager (from a community or social work facility)
  • accredited drug treatment agency
  • drug counsellor.
• in the case of homelessness:
• • general practitioner
  • psychiatrist
  • case worker or social worker
  • health or community welfare service provider.
• In the case of family violence:
• • medical practitioner
  • Victoria Police
  • family violence case worker or social worker
  • health or community welfare service provider.

The documentation provided should include:

• details of the person providing the information including their name, position and qualifications
• the relationship the person has with you
• a submission about your condition or situation
• an assessment on whether you condition or situation resulted in your inability to understand or control the conduct constituting the offence.

Grounds for an appeal that will not be considered

The following grounds for appeal are not considered valid reasons for withdrawing an infringement notice:

• Not being aware of the law
• Being new to, or unfamiliar with, Hume City Council
• Not receiving a warning letter, notice or direction before the infringement
• Forgetting to renew your pet's registration, or not receiving a renewal notice
• Not advising Council of your change of address.

For parking infringements, the following grounds for appeal are not considered valid reasons for withdrawing an infringement notice:

• Not being aware of the Road Rules
• Being delayed at a meeting or appointment
• Not seeing or being able to read a parking sign
• Not noticing the sign
• Not noticing the sign had changed
• Poor visibility due to weather
• Stopping for a short time in a prohibited area, with the engine running
• Parking in a permit zone without a permit or parking in the wrong permit zone
• Being unable to leave work to move your vehicle.

How do I appeal an infringement?

To appeal an infringement notice:

1. Write to Council outlining the reasons for your appeal. Include your name, postal address, infringement number and any supporting documentation relevant to your appeal.
2. If another person is writing for you, ensure that you include written authorisation for this person to act on your behalf.
3. Submit your appeal:

 Submit an appeal online

• Email:   contactus@hume.vic.gov.au or for parking infringements contact@data.com.au   

• Post:     Infringement Management
               Hume City Council
               PO Box 119
               Dallas Vic 3047

In accordance with the Infringements Act 2006, you are entitled to only one review of an infringement notice.

Not the driver?

If you were not the driver of the vehicle at the time of the parking offence, please fill in a Nomination Statement(PDF, 33KB). This statement can also be completed and returned if you want the matter to be heard in a Magistrates Court.

How is the appeal reviewed?

Once your appeal has been received, your infringement will be placed on hold and a review of your infringement will be undertaken by an independent review panel from the Infringement Management Unit. 

The review will consider:

• the information collected by the issuing officer
• the circumstances outlined in your appeal, and any supporting documentation provided
• council policy or guidelines relevant to the offence
• requirements under the relevant legislation.

What happens next?

When deciding on a review, Council may:

• uphold and confirm the decision to issue the infringement notice.  In this case a new due date for payment will be provided.
• withdraw the infringement notice and take no further action
• withdraw the infringement notice and issue an Official Warning
• withdraw the infringement notice and refer the matter to the Magistrates Court.

You will be notified of the outcome of the appeal in writing within 10 working days. However, if additional information is needed, this process can take longer.

A payment plan is available to any person who is experiencing financial hardship. A payment plan can be an instalment plan, an extension of time to pay, or both. 

A company will not be offered an instalment plan but may be offered an extension of time to pay.

Instalment plan

Infringement penalties can be paid by fortnightly instalments. 

The minimum amount accepted for an instalment plan depends on the total penalties accrued. The total penalty amount for all infringements to be included on the plan will need to be paid off:

• within a 12 month period
• with a minimum amount of not less than $20 per fortnight.

When your payment plan is approved, your details will be referred to our recovery team who will accept instalment payments on our behalf. They will write to you outlining the payment plan details and conditions, and provide the payment due dates. 

Extreme financial hardship

A payment plan under extreme financial hardship can be considered if a person is unable to meet the above requirements. To be considered for a payment plan under extreme financial hardship, you must hold a pension, health care card or veteran's affairs concession card (or similar) and provide documentation with your application to prove your financial difficulties. In this case, the total penalty amount for all infringements will need to be paid off:

• over a 24 month period

• with a minimum amount of not less than $10 per fortnight.

When your payment plan is approved, your details will be referred to our recovery team who will accept instalment payments on our behalf. They will write to you outlining the payment plan details and conditions, and provide the payment due dates . 

Extension of time to pay

An extension of time to pay of up to eight weeks can be granted upon request.

Defaulting on payment plan

A payment plan will be considered to be in default, and cancelled, if payment is not received within 14 days of the due date. In this case, you must re-apply for a new payment plan or make payment of the remaining outstanding amount in full.  Payment plans will only be offered on two occasions.

How to apply for a payment plan

Submit an application online

Apply in writing: Download the application form(PDF, 176KB), print and send to:

Infringement Appeals
Hume City Council
PO Box 119
Dallas Vic 3047

If another person is writing for you, please ensure you include a note authorising this person to act on your behalf.

Council is currently unable to approve instalment plans due to circumstances associated with COVID 19.  Instead, an extension of time to pay to 28 February 2021 can be provided.  Please see COVID-19 impact on infringements for more information.

Applying for a payment arrangement with Fines Victoria

A person or company can apply to Fines Victoria for a payment arrangement to pay a fine or multiple fines. A payment arrangement may include fines from different enforcement agencies, fines at different stages of enforcement, and court fines. A payment arrangement can allow a person or company to pay by instalments or it can provide an extension of time to pay.

You may request Council refer your fine to Fines Victoria to manage as part of a payment arrangement in writing, using the options above.

The following options are available to you in relation to your infringement:  

Court

You may elect to have the matter heard in the Magistrates Court, or the Children's Court if applicable. This request must be submitted to Council in writing. 

Council will notify you that your Court request has been received and processed, and that proceedings will commence at the Magistrates Court, Broadmeadows.  Following this, the matter will be referred to the Court and you will receive a Charge Sheet and documentation confirming your Court date.

Additional costs may be incurred if the matter is referred to Court.

Work and Development Permit

If you are eligible, an accredited organization may apply to the Director, Fines Victoria, for a Work and Development Permit on your behalf.

A Work and Development Permit (WDP) is an initiative to provide vulnerable and disadvantaged people with a non-financial option to address their fine debt. A WDP allows an eligible person to work off their fine debt by participating in certain activities and treatment. 

For more information regarding this scheme, and to identify an accredited sponsor, please contact the WDP Operational Team on 1300 323 483, by email or visit their website.

Family Violence Scheme

If you need help with your fines due to being affected by family violence, the Family Violence Scheme may be able to help you.  The scheme allows you to apply to have your fines withdrawn if family violence substantially contributed to the offence or it is not safe for you to name the person responsible for the offence.

To apply, complete the Family Violence Scheme Application at www.fines.vic.gov.au/fvs.