Parking fine revenue in Newcastle has more than doubled over the past three years, reaching $7.42 million in 2024-25, despite recent state government reforms that dramatically reduced controversial ticketless fines.
Ticketless fines plummet after state intervention
The NSW government's parking enforcement reforms, implemented in July 2025, have seen ticketless fines in the Newcastle council area drop by a staggering 94% in the three months to September 30. State-wide data reveals some council areas experienced reductions as high as 99%.
Finance Minister Courtney Houssos declared the near-elimination of ticketless fines had restored trust and transparency in the system. The reforms require parking officers to attach physical tickets to vehicles except in limited safety situations.
Revenue surge contrasts with reform success
Despite the dramatic reduction in ticketless fines, Newcastle council's parking fine revenue tells a different financial story. Council financial statements show parking fine income surged from $2.33 million in 2022 to $7.42 million in 2024-25.
The revenue increase occurred against a $7 million budget shortfall resulting from COVID pandemic impacts. Council documents indicate parking enforcement supports street amenity, accessibility, and encourages public transport use in line with urban growth plans.
Safety concerns versus driver rights
The City of Newcastle had previously defended ticketless enforcement, arguing that requiring physical tickets would put parking rangers at psychological and physical risk. Council data revealed 15 of 32 work health and safety incidents involving parking officers in the three years before ticketless fines required medical treatment or time off work.
However, the system faced widespread criticism because drivers often waited about 10 days to receive infringement notices, making it difficult to gather evidence to dispute fines. Merewether builder Mark Fricker made headlines when he successfully challenged his $320 ticketless fine for parking in a bus zone outside his house.
Under the new rules, parking officers must provide immediate notification except when impractical or unsafe. Extreme weather, vehicle location, animal threats, and verbal or physical intimidation are among the safety concerns that justify ticketless enforcement.
A recent council report showed that in the quarter to September 30, 16 fines resulted in verbal abuse of parking officers, and one involved physical intimidation.
