Council waives $110 fines after parking blitz next to Miranda netball courts and soccer fields

Following numerous complaints, the council defended the fines but said "in this instance" the penalty would be waived.

A spokesman said signage prohibiting parking was in place and two warnings were given over the loud speaker system at the netball courts before fines were issued.

Parking on Saturday mornings during winter sport is at a premium around the netball courts, which are used by the youngest players, and adjoining soccer fields.

The father of one player told the Leader his wife parked on the reserve during their daughter's netball game.

"There were up to 100 cars parked there," he said.

"An announcement was made while games were being played that people had to move their cars to avoid fines.

"Because of covid, only one parent is allowed to attend games and my wife was not going to leave our six-year-old daughter to move the car, which could have taken a very long time because of the shortage of parking in the area.

"Parents have been parking on the reserve for many years without issue.

"Apparently, a sign was placed at the entrance to the park at the beginning of the year, but the sign is not that prominent.

"I explained the problem for parents to the parking officer but he did not seem to understand."

Another parent commented on social media, "Absolute joke - people have been parking there for soccer and netball since Noah built his ark", with another comment reading, "Not sure where they expect everyone to park".

A council spokesman said council officers went t to reserve on Saturday in response to "a community complaint".

"Council Officers in attendance spoke with representatives of the Sutherland Shire Netball Association (SSNA) to advise that motorists who had parked on the reserve to move their vehicles, as they were parked illegally," he said.

"After two separate announcements were made to those in attendance and the vast majority of offending vehicles had been moved, council officers proceeded to issue parking infringement notices for the remaining 32 motorists who had failed to comply with these directions.

"While motorists have often parked in this location in the past, they have done so unlawfully.

"Parking at this location poses a risk to public safety, potentially impedes access by the community to use the facility and impacts the sports facilities on the reserve."

The spokesman said prominent signage had always been in place indicating parking was not permitted at this location, however this signage was replaced in recent months to conform to updated Council branding guidelines.

"The information displayed on this signage remains otherwise identical to that which was previously in place at the same location," he said.

"In this instance, council has decided to waive the financial penalty incurred by offending motorists, and has communicated this decision with representatives of SSNA, relevant sporting clubs and Revenue NSW.

"Accordingly, motorists who received an infringement notice for parking at this location in this specific instance should expect to receive written advice in coming days indicating financial penalties will be waived."

The spokesman said the council had been actively engaging with SSNA representatives since the infringement notices were issued to ensure regular attendees at the netball courts were kept well informed that parking at this location was not permitted and that offenders should expect fines in the future.

"Council will also work to ensure all sports groups with allocations at Seymour Shaw Reserve are advised of the restrictions to access and parking in this area," he said.

"Council is also investigating ways to restrict unsanctioned vehicle access to this site, and will work with Roads and Maritime Services to investigate opportunities to provide additional parking spaces for regular Seymour Shaw Reserve attendees."