South Australia to Ban Ticketless Parking Fines Issued by Camera Vehicles

The South Australian government plans to introduce legislation requiring council inspectors to physically issue parking fines, effectively banning the practice of mailing tickets generated by passing camera vehicles. Under the proposed reforms, parking enforcement officers must either place a paper ticket on the vehicle or hand it directly to the driver at the time of the alleged violation.

The state's plan targets systems such as the Adelaide City Council's Park Safe program, which utilizes vehicle-mounted cameras to scan for parking breaches and photograph non-compliant cars. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas noted that the regulation is modeled on similar measures introduced in New South Wales. While artificial intelligence technology can still assist inspectors, human officers must be present to assess the situation and deliver the fine on the spot. Premier Malinauskas stated that the government intends to eliminate practices where AI machinery alone makes the judgment without immediate physical enforcement.

Driver Concerns and Council Oversight

The issue has drawn feedback from local business operators and residents. Tour bus operator Dallas Coull reported receiving dozens of fines since the Park Safe initiative began, leading him to halt passenger pickups at a central business district hotel. A recent Adelaide City Council report revealed that an average of 25 percent of contested parking fines were withdrawn this year following reviews by parking information officers. Members of the public have also voiced support for the proposed changes, expressing a preference for human inspectors over automated surveillance systems.

Local Government Response and Debate Over Efficiency

The Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) expressed concern over the planned legislation, stating it was not consulted prior to the announcement. LGA President and Mayor of Mitcham Heather Holmes-Ross questioned the distinction between automated parking enforcement and other camera-based monitoring, such as red light or mobile phone detection technology. Holmes-Ross emphasized that several councils have been trialling camera systems to increase efficiency under human review, noting that requiring officers to stop and hand out individual physical tickets increases operational time.

A spokesperson for the state government defended the distinction, stating that parking restrictions apply primarily to stationary vehicles, unlike moving traffic violations targeted by road safety laws. The spokesperson added that the government will engage in consultations with stakeholders, including the LGA, as the legislation progresses.