Infringements

Overview

An infringement, also known as either a fine or a penalty notice, is issued when a law or regulation is broken to help protect the rights, amenity and well-being of the Horsham community. We issue infringements relating to breaches in parking, animal management, health and wellbeing, food safety, environment, fire prevention, planning and asset protection laws and regulations.

Pay a fine

Call Horsham Rural City Council reception on 03 5382 9777 to pay by credit card. In order to pay an infringement over the phone, please have the following details ready:

• Infringement number
• Vehicle registration number (if a parking infringement) 
• Contact details
• Credit card number, expiry date and CVV number

Pay with EFTPOS, cash, cheque or money order in person by visiting the cashier at the Horsham Civic Centre, 18 Roberts Avenue with a copy of your infringement notice. Please address your cheque or money order to 'Horsham Rural City Council'.

You can also post a cheque or money order with a copy of your infringement notice to Horsham Rural City Council, PO Box 511, Horsham, Victoria 3402.

By law, we cannot accept cash by post.

Apply for a payment plan

A payment plan may be available to you if you are experiencing difficulty in paying your fine by the due date.  You may apply to the Director of Fines Victoria for a payment arrangement should you have multiple fines across different enforcement agencies. 

To be eligible for a payment plan you must be listed on the infringement and in the case of a parking infringement be the registered owner of the car or the nominated driver. 

Please contact Council on 03 5382 9777 or apply for a payment plan online below.

Payment Plan Application

 A printable version of this form can be found here.

Apply for an Infringement review

Council may consider withdrawing an infringement (fine or penalty notice) but we require verifiable and independent supporting documentation that shows something unexpected has occurred.

Here are some common scenarios to check if Council may or may not withdraw your infringement.

• This is my first infringement – can I get off with a warning?
  An infringement will not be withdrawn under these circumstances. An honest mistake is not sufficient grounds for the fine to be withdrawn.
   
• My vehicle broke down
  If your car broke down then you can apply for an infringement review, but you will need to supply supporting documentation such as a mechanics or towing or roadside assistance invoice to have your review considered. 
   
• I parked in a No Stopping area for only a short period of time
  An infringement will not be withdrawn under these circumstances. This includes stopping for any reason including dropping or picking up children from school.
   
• My parking permit was not displayed correctly
  If at the time of the infringement you had a current parking permit then you can apply for an infringement review provided you have not received a warning previously. You will need to supply proof of your parking permit as supporting documentation to have your review considered.
   
• I didn’t understand or see the sign or understand the road rules
  An infringement will not be withdrawn under these circumstances. There is an onus on a driver to understand the road rules.
   

• I was not the driver
  An infringement will not be withdrawn under these circumstances, however, you must nominate another driver to have the infringement reissued to the correct person by completing the apply for an infringement review application.

• I was dealing with a medical emergency
  If a medical emergency occurred you will need to supply an official letter from the hospital or doctor confirming you were involved in a medical emergency at the time the fine was issued then you can apply for an infringement review. We will not withdraw fines where medical appointments were delayed or took longer than expected unless it was a medical emergency.
   
• I can’t afford to pay this fine
  An infringement will not be withdrawn under these circumstances, however, you may request a payment plan if you meet the criteria.
   
• I didn't register my pet
  If your pet is registered with another Victorian Council, you will need to supply proof of registration as supporting documentation in your infringement review application. If you have recently acquired your pet, you will need to supply proof of adoption or ownership. We will not withdraw fines where you were unaware of the need to register your pet, or you did not have time to register your pet.
   

• My dog escaped from home
  We do not withdraw fines where you were unaware your gate/door/fence was open or unsecured, or where your dog dug its way out or escaped through a hole in the fence. If your dog escaped during a home invasion or after it was stolen, you can apply for an infringement review and you will need to supply a police report as supporting documentation.

 Apply for an Infringement review

To have your infringement reviewed, please complete the Infringement review application form online. Click here

Alternatively, download and complete the Infringement review application form manually here and either:

• Post to Horsham Rural City Council, PO Box 511, Horsham Victoria 3402 or
• Drop the form in at the customer service desk at Horsham Civic Centre, 18 Roberts Avenue, Horsham.