INFORMATION AND PHOTOS PERTINENT TO TWO PARKING FINES $117 + $250) PAID BY LANE COVE NORTH RESIDENT, PHILIP JOHNSTON.
THE $250 FINE WAS WHILST COLLECTING BAGS OF BREAD FROM BAKERS DELIGHT AT CLOSING TIME TO DELIVER TO MATTHEW TALBOT HOSTEL
THE $117 FINE WAS BECAUSE 'NO PARKING' SIGNAGE WAS
INADEQUATE THAT EVENTUALLY LANE COVE COUNCIL RECTIFIED.
Poorly visible 'No Stopping Zone' in Rosenthal Lane - Blue / Pink Signs are evidence of Shared Zone (walking, cycling, vehicle)
Philip Johnston had been parking at the rear of Bakers Delight bakery in Rosenthal Lane every fourth Thursday at closing time with his associate, Don S, for over four years. His fellow bread collector, Don S, had been parking there once every four weeks at closing time to collect bread to take to Matthew Talbot Hostel, Woolloomooloo since 2007. About a year ago, Don was made aware by his Vincent de Paul contact/liaison of the prospect of being fined for parking outside the rear of Bakers Delight, whereupon Philip Johnston started displaying the below Volunteer Parking sign (A4 size) at his Citroen van window.
Fire and Rescue
NSW would not be fined for parking in the same 'no stopping' zone in
Rosenthal Lane - below picture taken on 17 March '25.
Cognisant of the high regard for the volunteers that support Matthew Talbot
Hostel Woolloomooloo chronicled at th nd of this webpage,
Vinnies volunteer bread collectors (always at at closing time) should not be fined for
'Disobey no stopping sign' where the Fire and Rescue is parked - provided the bread
collector volunteer's vehicle displays (on its rear window) the below 'Volunteers Parking'
sign in at least A4 (297 mm x 210mm) size. But preferably A3 (297mm x 420mm)
size.
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Philip Johnston was fined $117 (Fine Notice # 3239707873) in June 2022 for 'Disobey No Parking Sign' when he parked in the council parking area immediately adjacent to Lane Cove Leisure Centre, as he had done many times before to swim 10 x 50m lengths.. He appealed the fine to Revenue NSW because the No Parking sign (for three adjacent parking spots in the middle of a large carpark) was not evident to him, nor to at least 30 other people parking in the same three parking spots that he spoke to during the following 12 months when they were either parking or about to depart in their vehicle. His appeal was rejected and he paid the $117 fine to Revenue NSW on 27 July 2022 .
Below is how that three parking spots (located in the middle of a lot of other parking spots) appeared when Philip Johnston, and a lot of other patrons, parked in them and were similarly fined. Why weren't the thee spots positioned at the entrance or exit of the carpark? Why hidden in the middle of that council car park?
Eventually Lane Cove Council realised that its No Parking signage for the three car spots (twds centre of` the car park) adjacent to Lane Cover Leisure Centre was obscure and inadequate alerted 'No Parking' for all but a few employees of the Leisure Centre.. Whereupon around April 2024 Lane Cove Council provided patent signage of No Parking as evident in the immediately below photo. If the patent large white No Parking signage had been painted on those three parking spots a few year earlier, Philip Johnston and a lot of other patrons of the Leisure Centre, would not have parked there. Ipso facto they would not have received and paid a monetary fine.
There is a Stop Sign at exit from Coles 'The Canopy' underground public carpark in Rosenthal Ave, Lane Cove
Several
hundred vehicles each day do not stop at that Stop Sign when exiting the Coles
carpark and entering the roundabout in Rosenthal Ave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc7UaxWeYZo
Lane Cove Council issues over $1 Million in Parking Fines in 10 Months - In the Cove INTHECOVE - Jacky Barker 18 May 2018
Probably
one of the most contentious parking signs in Lane Cove recent history was the
Seniors Parking in the Lane Cove Coles Park. The Seniors Only Parking sign was
difficult to read as it was installed above eye line level. After ITC raised
the issue, the Lane Cove Council painted Seniors Parking signs on the road.
What
is your view? Should there be a better system for contesting parking
infringements?
Philip Johnston's believes that it behooves Lane Cove Council to ALWAYS provide patently identifiable/obvious signage regarding any parking restrictions in public parking areas.
5 Tips To Avoid Parking Fines in Lane Cove Car Parking Facilities - In The Cove - Jacky Barker - 5 July 2023
"The website is www.lanecoveparking.com.au. You have three days to make a payment, or fines apply.
"NSW State Revenue provided us with details of the fines issued and cancelled for the period 1 Jan 2023 to 1 May 2023"
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Above picture of Philip Johnston behind his van full of plastic bags of bread collected from Bakers Delight bakery at closing time each 4th Thursday.
In The Cove post on Facebook "Well done to Joyce from Bakers Delight".
St
Vincent de Paul, City of Sydney local govt area, NSW Govt et al
recognise the important work of volunteers for Mathew Talbot Hostel,
Woolloomooloo
to assist (feed and accommodate) men that have fallen on hard
times
1. St Vincent de Paul Society: Matthew Talbot Hostel
"Matthew Talbot Hostel, Woolloomooloo provides accommodation and specialised support to men over the age of 21 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Situated in the heart of Sydney, MTH aims to provide support and accommodation for people at a time of crisis while facilitating access to other essential services and more sustainable housing options. Along with accommodation the men are provided with nutritious meals, clothing, showers, basic medical, recreational, educational, and spiritual needs, as well as access to specialised, legal, housing, health care, and case management supports."
2. SYDNEY HOMELESS CONNECT - Matthew Talbot Hostel - (for Men)
"The hostel provides temporary accommodation and meals."
3. Homelessness and Housing Services
"The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW operates homelessness services throughout NSW to assist people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness.
The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW provides a range of opportunities for people to get involved with our good works through membership, volunteering, partnerships, donations and much more."
4. CITY OF SYDNEY - Volunteer Programs
"The following directory includes organisations that help people who are experiencing homelessness."
5. NSW Government Make a Difference - Finding Opportunities to Volunteer
"The Matthew Talbot Hostel provides accommodation and specialised support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service aims to provide immediate support and accommodation for people at the time of crisis."