Parking management - frequently asked questions

Photo of a no parking sign

We've prepared this list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand parking in Hornsby Shire. If you have any questions, please call us on 9847 6616.

Why are there so many parking restrictions?

Parking restrictions aim to manage road safety while ensuring parking spots can be shared by all road users.

The NSW Road Rules apply uniformly across NSW. Traffic and parking signage is standardised to ensure motorists are given clear and consistent information. It is a legal requirement that the holder of a driving licence be familiar with the Road Rules and to observe them when driving and parking.

In busy areas, a variety of restrictions (some that only apply at certain times) allow safer, more efficient use of limited parking areas. If you have a question about a sign or parking restriction, please call Council on 9847 6616 for an explanation.

What do the different colour signs mean?


Sign
 Explanation
No Stopping sign Red ‘No Stopping’ signs with white text mean vehicles cannot stop, even momentarily, for any purpose.
Bus Zone signTaxi Zone sign White signs with red panels mean certain categories of vehicles may stop subject to certain conditions to perform specific tasks. For example, only registered buses may stop in a ‘Bus Zone’ and only registered taxis may stop in a ‘Taxi Zone’. If time restrictions apply, these will be shown on the sign.
No Parking sign White ‘No Parking’ signs with red and black text allow a vehicle to stop to set down or pick up passengers or goods. The driver must remain within 3 metres of the vehicle and cannot stop longer than 2 minutes. Times when this restriction applies may be shown on the sign.
2P parking sign White signs with green text means parking is permitted subject to certain conditions. For example a ‘2P’ sign allows up to two hours parking during the times shown.

Please note, the size and layout of parking signs is fixed by a national standard and cannot be varied by Council.

Who determines the parking restrictions for a road?

All parking restriction proposals are carefully evaluated. Parking restriction proposals for roads managed by Council are considered by the Local Traffic Committee, which includes representatives from RTA, Police and the State Local Member as well as a Councillor. This process ensures parking restrictions are justified and will operate properly.

The RTA is solely responsible for parking restrictions on State roads such as Pennant Hills Road, the Pacific Highway outside Hornsby CBD, Beecroft Road, Boundary Road, Carlingford Road, Galston Road, Old Northern Road, Castle Hill Road and most of New Line Road.

Can I drop off a passenger in a 'No Stopping' zone?

No, this is dangerous and illegal. 'No Stopping' signs are only provided where stopping at any time, even momentarily to set down or pick up a passenger, poses a road safety risk. Please help improve road safety for other motorists and pedestrians by following this rule.

Council has prepared a list of safe and legal commuter pickup and setdown areas for residents.

Does Council raise revenue through parking fines?

Hornsby Shire Council receives relatively very little revenue from parking fines once the enforcement costs are deducted. Our aim is to improve road safety through both education and enforcement while ensuring parking spots can be shared by all road users. You can easily avoid parking fines and help improve road safety by observing parking restrictions and the Road Rules.

How can motorists be fined at locations where there are no signs, for example, near intersections or adjacent to barrier lines?

The NSW Road Rules apply regardless of whether or not a sign is in place. It is simply not feasible to signpost all intersections and areas where vehicles might park illegally. If you park in a manner that obstructs access or visibility, even for pedestrians, or forces other motorists to break the law to avoid your vehicle, then you may have parked illegally. For more details on traffic regulations, please visit the RTA link at the end of this page.

Who sets the amount of parking fines?

The penalty specified for parking fines and demerit points is set by the State Government and cannot be varied by Council.

Why can’t I appeal to Council when I get a fine? They issued it.

Council Traffic Rangers enforce the parking restrictions in accordance with NSW Road Rules. To ensure impartiality, transparency and consistency with issuing penalties and reviewing requests, Councils across NSW use the State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO) to review penalties.

If a driver disputes a parking fine, the SDRO will request Council to check its records to determine whether it was correctly issued (that is, there is enough evidence to prosecute the matter in court). If the infringement was issued correctly, the SDRO may give the matter further consideration. The SDRO website, contains information on how to arrange for the review of an infringement and gives details of what factors will be considered in its review.

If a motorist is not satisfied with the results of this review, they may choose to have the matter heard before a magistrate in a local court.

Why don’t Traffic Rangers issue more cautions or wave people on?

This is a matter for the individual ranger to determine based on the situation at the time and the severity of the offence. Traffic Rangers regularly issue cautions and details are kept to ensure repeat offenders are identified. Rangers also direct motorists to move on. However if a person argues or refuses, a penalty may be issued. Holding a vehicle in a ‘No Stopping’ Zone or ‘Bus Zone’ to debate the issue will extend the duration of the hazard and many create a safety risk for other road users. In these cases fines may be issued through the mail.

If parking is such a problem, why doesn’t Council create more parking spaces instead of penalising motorists?

The provision of commuter parking at railway stations or regional bus stops is the responsibility of the State Government. We have lobbied for many years for the Government to provide additional commuter parking across the Shire, with some success. If you have concerns about commuter parking in your area, please contact your State Local Member.

We try to encourage public transport use by, where possible, not restricting parking near railway stations or bus stops unless there are road safety or access issues.

Parking spaces in busy areas, such as Hornsby CBD, are a limited resource. Enforcement of parking restrictions ensures that parking spaces are available for all motorists.

Why do Traffic Rangers take photos? Isn’t it an invasion of privacy, especially around schools?

The taking of photos in public areas by enforcement agencies for the purpose of evidence is now universal practice across all jurisdictions. Traffic Rangers take photos to provide a record that an infringement was correctly issued. Since the practice was adopted, the number of disputed penalty notices has been greatly reduced. Rangers are only interested in taking a photo of the vehicle and the relevant sign or road marking and try to avoid including people where possible.

Photographs taken by Council’s Traffic Rangers are stored in a secure manner. Each photo has an identification code and access to the photos is strictly limited to authorised Council staff. The registered owner of the vehicle or the nominated driver may obtain a copy of a photo for a small fee (as at January 2011, $11) using a form accessed from Council’s website.

What can I do if I believe that parking restrictions should be changed or a sign is obstructed or missing?

To report obscured or missing signs or to request changes to parking management, please submit a service request or call 9847 6666 (Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm).

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