At a glance
- What it is
- A part refund on 11 types of Surf Coast Shire parking fine that were charged at too high a rate
- Refund amount
- Likely between $30 and $60, depending on the year the fine was issued
- Fines covered
- Fines paid for the 11 listed offences and issued before 22 September 2026
- Deadline
- The scheme is open until 30 September 2027
- How long it takes
- The Shire aims to assess an application within 30 days and pay within a further 30 days
- Who it’s for
- Anyone who paid a parking fine from Surf Coast Shire Council, including someone applying for another driver
- What to do now
- Use the Shire’s eligibility check with your number plate, then fill in the online form and attach proof that you owned the vehicle
- Last checked
- 7 November 2026, against the Shire’s refund page and its infringement notices page
- Not yet confirmed
- The exact refund for each year of issue, which the Shire’s page does not list, and how fast individual applications are being processed
If you paid a parking fine to Surf Coast Shire Council before 22 September 2026, part of it may be coming back: the Shire says it over-charged on 11 types of parking offence and is refunding the extra, likely between $30 and $60 per fine, with applications open until 30 September 2027.
This guide covers who qualifies, what the form asks for, how long the Shire says the process takes, and how to pay, review or transfer a Surf Coast parking fine in the ordinary way. It is about Surf Coast Shire fines only.
Why is Surf Coast Shire refunding parking fines?
The Shire’s refund page, published on 17 September 2026, describes a historical administrative error. Under the Road Safety Act 1986, a council can set the penalty for 11 “green sign” parking offences at up to a maximum of 0.5 penalty units, and many councils do. But a specific council resolution is needed to set that rate. Without one, a default rate of 0.2 penalty units applies.
The Shire says it recently confirmed that it had charged the 0.5 rate for these 11 offences without evidence of a specific resolution to do so. It says it is one of a number of Victorian councils affected. Council made the necessary resolution to set the rate at 0.5 units on 22 September 2026. The refund covers fines issued before that date.
The Shire’s chief executive, Robyn Seymour, is quoted on the page apologising to affected motorists and saying the Shire is committed to refunding the over-charged amount. The refund is for the over-charged portion of each fine, not the whole fine.
Which parking fines qualify for a refund?
Only the 11 offence types the Shire lists. Check your fine notice against this table; the wording below is the Shire’s own.
| # | Offence as the Shire describes it |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stopped contrary to a “no parking” sign |
| 2 | Parked for a period longer than indicated |
| 3 | Failure to pay parking fee and obey instructions on sign, meter, ticket or ticket vending machine |
| 4 | Stopped on a bicycle parking area |
| 5 | Stopped on a motorbike parking area |
| 6 | Parked contrary to requirement of parking area |
| 7 | Parked, failing to comply with angle parking requirements |
| 8 | Parked, failing to comply with 90 degree angle parking requirements |
| 9 | Parked not completely within a parking bay |
| 10 | Parked, long vehicle exceeding minimum number of bays |
| 11 | Parked, wide vehicle exceeding minimum number of bays |
Two conditions apply to all of them. The fine must have been issued by Surf Coast Shire Council, and it must have been issued before 22 September 2026. The scheme is for Surf Coast Shire fines only.
How much will I get back?
The Shire says your refund is likely to be between $30 and $60, depending on the year your fine was issued. The page does not give a figure for each year, so the range is an estimate.
How do I apply for the refund?
- Open the Shire’s refund page and use the button marked “Check your eligibility and apply for a refund”.
- Enter your vehicle registration number. The Shire’s records are kept against registration numbers, so the form uses the number plate to find fines.
- If the form says your registration may be eligible, complete the online application.
- Attach evidence that the vehicle was yours (see the next section).
- Say in the application if you are applying on someone else’s behalf. The Shire says that is allowed.
The form may say your registration number could be eligible for a refund even though you do not remember when you received the fine. The Shire says that is fine: tick the box saying you cannot provide the required evidence, complete the form and submit it, and an officer will get in touch to help.
What proof do I need to attach?
The Shire says it holds fines against vehicle registration numbers, so you have to show the vehicle was yours when the fine was issued. It lists three kinds of evidence:
| Evidence | What the Shire asks for |
|---|---|
| Infringement notice | A notice that has your name on it |
| Registration certificate | A certificate of registration in your name for the vehicle, dated within 12 months either side of the offence |
| Car insurance | Insurance documentation in your name, dated within 12 months either side of the offence |
If you cannot produce any of these, the Shire says you can submit other documentation showing you owned the vehicle at the time the fine was issued. Those claims are assessed one by one.
How long does the refund take?
The Shire says it aims to assess every refund application within 30 days and to process the refund within a further 30 days. It adds that every application is assessed individually, so timelines may differ.
Can I apply for someone else?
You can apply on someone else’s behalf. The Shire says to specify this in the application.
How do I pay a Surf Coast parking fine now?
The refund is separate from paying a current fine. The Shire’s infringement notices page lets you pay online, view photos and details of a parking infringement, and apply to review an infringement. If you do not want to pay online, you can pay by phone, in person or by mail; the Shire’s payment information page has the details. Payment should be made within 28 days of the date the fine was issued to prevent additional charges.
| What you want to do | What the Shire says |
|---|---|
| Pay | Online, or by phone, in person or by mail; within 28 days of the issue date to avoid additional charges |
| View the photos | Online, for parking infringements issued on or after 16 December 2019 |
| Ask for a review | Submit the infringement review form; a review can only be requested once per fine |
| Say you were not the driver | Write or email with the driver’s name and address for a Change of Offender |
Can I ask the Shire to review a fine?
Yes, once. The Shire says an application to review an infringement can only be made one time, and after a determination has been finalised you cannot submit any further applications for that fine.
What if I was not the driver?
If you were not driving when the fine was issued, the Shire asks you to write or email it the name and address of the driver, and it will process a Change of Offender. It says that if you do not include all of the required information, the change of offender will not be processed.
Who do I contact at Surf Coast Shire?
The Shire’s customer service line is 03 5261 0600, answered Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm. You can also email info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au or post to PO Box 350, Torquay VIC 3228. The customer service centre is at 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay.
Does this affect parking fines from other councils?
The scheme covers Surf Coast Shire fines only. The Shire says it is one of a number of Victorian councils impacted by the issue. This guide only covers fines from Surf Coast Shire Council.
Sources
- Surf Coast Shire — Parking fines refund scheme (published 17 September 2026, checked 7 November 2026)
- Surf Coast Shire — Infringement Notices (checked 7 November 2026)
Featured image: Jan Juc Beach, viewed from Bird Rock Lookout, April 2026 (photo: 1geel0ng1 / CC BY 4.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Surf Coast Shire Council. Refund conditions and processing times can change; check the Shire’s pages above before you apply.