Loading bay fines unfair: businessman

A Rockingham business owner has spoken out about his frustration over copping multiple fines in a loading bay outside his store, which he says is being used correctly.

Instant Cash director Ryan Robinson said an “overzealous” ranger had been issuing fines recently to customers and his staff.

“For a business like ours people aren’t just picking up groceries, they’re arriving with large items and that’s our main business model,” he said.

“We’ve got massive speakers, motorbikes and kayaks that people are bringing and that facility is there for customers to use; now they’re getting a fine and a lot of them are already low on cash which isn’t fair.

“We haven’t had a problem for the five years that the loading bay has been there until now.”

Instant Cash is located just outside the Rockingham Centre, off Chalgrove Avenue, with the centre’s management using City rangers to enforce parking signs.

But Mr Robinson said the rangers were not checking to see if people were actually loading.

He has lodged an appeal with the City for the fines received and said he had also offered to pay some of his customer’s infringements. City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said evidence was collected before any infringements were issued and any fine could be appealed.

“The City has a formal online appeals process which is available for anyone who believes they have been incorrectly issued an infringement or has grounds they believe warrant consideration for the withdrawal of an infringement,” he said.

“It is the right of any person who receives an infringement to elect to contest the matter before a court of law.

“The City will investigate the writer’s claims and respond in due course.”