What do I do if I have an infringement notice?

Greater Shepparton City Council's Local Laws, Animal Management, Building, Planning and Compliance and Environmental Health departments may issue Infringement Notices under the following legislation:

Statutory Infringements:

  • Country Fire Authority Act 1958
  • Domestic Animals Act 1994
  • Environment Protection Act 2017
  • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986
  • Impounding of Livestock Act 1994
  • Road Management Act 2004
  • Summary Offences Act 1966
  • Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008
  • Food Act 1984
  • Tobacco Act 1987
  • and any relevant Regulations

Local Laws Infringements:

  • Community Living Local Law Number 1 2018

Parking Infringements:

Please note that this page does not include information about Official Warnings or parking infringements. For parking infringements, please visit our Parking web page.

Do you understand your infringement notice or penalty reminder notice?

If the person on any infringement notice does not understand the notice, requires advice or assistance, they should:

  • Seek advice from a lawyer, a community legal centre or Victoria Legal Aid on 1300 792 387, Federation of Community Legal Centres (03) 9652 1501, Victoria Aboriginal Legal Services on 1800 064 865.
  • Seek financial advice from a financial councillor or the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
  • If they are a child, they may obtain information from the Registrar of the Children’s Court.
  • Seek assistance from an interpreting service such as the National Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 or Multilingual Information Line Service (MILS) on 1300 645 463, 1300 856 582 or 1300 852 586
  • Seek assistance from the National Relay Service (NRS) TTY users call 133 677 or NRS website NRS call numbers and links | Access Hub
  • Seek assistance or advice from a person that can act on their behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Infringement Notices

 

Due date: 28 days from date of the Infringement Notice

Why have I received a fine or infringement notice?
An Infringement Notice has been issued to you in relation to an alleged offence.

What do I do now?
You will need to pay the amount owing before the due date on the notice, or select one of the options in the Your Actions section below.

How much do I have to pay?
The amount you have to pay is on the front of the notice.

How do I pay?
For information on how to pay, see the How do I pay? page.

What is the due date?
The due date is on the front of the notice.

What happens if I can't pay in time?
You can request a payment plan or payment arrangement. Please refer to the section about payment plans below.

What happens if I don't agree with the infringement notice?
You can request an internal review or request a Court hearing before the due date. Please refer to the Your Actions section below, by the due date.

What will happen if I don't pay or take any action by the due date?
If you do not pay or take any action, a Penalty Reminder Notice will be issued and you will have to pay more costs.

Penalty Reminder Notices

 

Due date: 21 days from date of the Penalty Reminder Notice

Why have I received a Penalty Reminder Notice?
You have failed to pay the Infringement Notice by the due date and a Penalty Reminder Notice has been issued.

Why are there added costs?
Costs are added in accordance with Section 29 of the Infringements Act 2006.

What do I do now?
You are required to pay the Infringement Notice and Penalty Reminder Notice fee by the due date, or take one of the actions in the Your Actions section below, by the due date.

How much do I have to pay?
The amount you have to pay is on the front of the notice.

How do I pay?
For information on how to pay, see the How do I pay? page.

What is the due date?
The due date is on the front of the notice.  

What will happen if I don’t pay or take any action by the due date?
If you do not pay or take one of the actions in the Your Actions section below, a Notice of Final Demand will be issued and further costs may be incurred.

Notices of Final Demand

 

Due Date: 14 days from the date of the Notice of Final Demand

Why have I received a Notice of Final Demand?
You have failed to pay the Infringement Notice and Penalty Reminder Notice by the due date.

What do I do now?
You are required to pay the amount outstanding by the due date, or take one of the actions in the Your Actions section below, by the due date.

How much do I have to pay?
The amount you have to pay is on the front of the notice. 

How do I pay?
For information on how to pay, see the How do I pay? page.

What is the due date?
The due date is on the front of the notice.  

What will happen if I don’t pay or take any action by the due date?
Depending on the type of Infringement, the infringement will be sent to Fines Victoria for enforcement or to the Magistrates Court to be heard and determined. Further costs and penalties may be incurred.

Enforcement of Local Laws Infringements 

 

Due Date: Refer to Charge and Summons for your Court hearing

Why have I received a Charge and Summons?
The case has not been finalised and you are required to attend the Magistrates Court. Further costs and penalties may be incurred.

Enforcement of Statutory Infringements  

 

Due Date: Refer to Notice of Final Demand issued by Fines Victoria

Why have I received a Notice of Final Demand from Fines Victoria? 
The case has not been finalised and the Infringement has been sent to Fines Victoria for enforcement. If you do not finalise the matter by the due date, the Director, Fines Victoria, may take one or more enforcement actions. The Director may also apply to the Magistrates Court to issue an Enforcement Warrant.  If an Enforcement Warrant is issued, an Enforcement Warrant fee will be added to your outstanding amount. If you do not pay the full amount (including the added fees) or you do not use your other Actions to finalise the matter, the Sheriff has the power to:

  • wheel clamp your vehicle;
  • remove the number plates from your vehicle and the Director, Fines Victoria may suspend the registration of your vehicle;
  • seize and sell your personal property;
  • arrest you.

Your Actions

PAY
Pay in full by the due date to avoid added fees and enforcement action. Please refer to the How do I pay? page for more information.
REQUEST A PAYMENT PLAN OR PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT 
You may be eligible for a payment plan or payment arrangement under Section 46 of the Infringements Act 2006 or an extension of time. Applications along with supporting evidence must be submitted to Council within 28 days from the date of the Infringement notice. (Infringements Act 2006 section 46 or Fines Reform Act 2014 Part 5).  Please refer to Payment Plan page for more information.
REQUEST AN INTERNAL REVIEW
You or a person acting on your behalf may apply to have the decision to serve the infringement notice internally reviewed by Council.  . Applications along with supporting evidence must be submitted to Council within 28 days from the date of the Infringement notice. Please note only one Internal Review may be completed per infringement notice (Infringements Act 2006). Please refer to Internal Review page for more information.
REQUEST A COURT HEARING
You may apply to have your matter heard and determined in the Magistrates Court. Please refer to Request a Court Hearing page for more information.

Enforcement

What happens if I ignore the Infringement Notice, the Penalty Reminder Notice and Notice of Final Demand?

If you have not paid the total amount outstanding and the case is still not resolved, Council will proceed to the Magistrates' Court, or refer the matter to the Director, Fines Victoria for enforcement action.

What happens at the Magistrates' Court?

If Council decides to proceed to the Magistrates' Court;

  • the matter will be submitted to Council's layers who will prepare the brief of evidence to present to the Magistrates' Court;
  • the matter will be listed at the Magistrates' Court;
  • you will receive a Charge and Summons either in person or via mail to appear in the Magistrates' Court (the Charge and Summons will contain your court date, time and location);
  • you may need to appear at a court hearing at a specified date and time.

If you do not go to your hearing, the Court can decide the matter in your absence.

What are the possible outcomes of a Court hearing?

The Magistrate at the Magistrates' Court will hear Council’s case and decide on the outcome. They may decide to:

  • record a conviction if they find you guilty;
  • issue you with a new infringement (the penalty may be either more or less to the amount on your Infringement Notice);
  • dismiss or discharge the case;
  • adjourn (delay) the matter; or
  • issue you with a penalty such as unpaid community work.

Fines Victoria

For more information on Fines Victoria and the enforcement process, please visit Fines Victoria website.