29/10/2025
WANGARATTA COUNCIL GONE PARKING MAD
Wednesday, 29 October 19:67
Frank Archer (Editor-In-Chief)
Furious residents have taken to social media following Wangaratta Council’s continuation of paid CBD parking and the introduction of a controversial new parking meter app.
The Wangaratta Bugle can reveal that RCOW’s parking fine revenue topped $3,445,871.07 for the 2024/25 financial year with an estimated $67.10 going to Wangaratta’s “Community Chest” program.
Fine hotspots have been identified as Wangaratta Station, The Strand, North East Water Works, The Electric Company (the old Technical School site) and The Vine Hotel at North Wangaratta.
Controversy has engulfed the paid parking program with surrounding towns having scrapped their outdated charges decades ago.
Spokesperson for Wang. Car Users Group, Hasem “Has” Bro, says Council has a monopoly over motorists, shoppers and visitors to the Rural City.
“It’s really disturbing how much this Council is playing the banker”, Bro told the Wangaratta Bugle.
“It was only twenty years ago when Council offered a $200 prize if you drove around the block and couldn’t find a free parking spot”, Bro added.
Wangaratta first introduced free parking in 1931 when the famous Parker Brothers (Peter and Tony) were Mayor and Junior Vice Deputy Mayor.
Nonagenarian, Kent Whitechapel, was not happy about the new parking app and changes in the town he has spent all his life.
“Developers have come in and built houses and hotels and now we have increased traffic”, ‘Old Kent’ said.
“It was only last month I saw parking officers fine a racecar driver, a dog, a horse and even a tourist towing a World War II replica battleship”, he added.
Benalla visitor Reg Entstreet was not impressed after receiving a fine during a recent doctor’s appointment.
“The Doctor’s fee was $50 and the fine was $7,445”, Entstreet said angrily.
“When I was removing the ticket from my windscreen, a mother told me she received a fine after her daughter won $10 for finishing second in a beauty contest”, he added.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, with Wangaratta Council running a promotion during the upcoming holiday period. 1 in 500 locals will receive a “Get Out Of A Parking Fine FREE” card in the mail and parking inspectors will be carrying two dice and waiving the fine should the driver roll “doubles”.
Park Lane and Mayfair Court residents will be exempt from any parking infringement notices in the foreseeable future.
Photos: a ticket inspector fining a motorist outside The Strand (£200), Wangaratta Council collected in excess of $3.4 million in parking fines last financial year (24/25), battleships aren’t welcome to park in Wangaratta (B2 - hit, sink)
