Pay your planning or building site infringement
If you have a planning or building site infringement please refer to the back of your infringement for your direct link to pay via Greenlight.
Appeal your planning or building site infringement
If you believe there is a valid reason for you not to pay an infringement notice, you may request an internal review.
Under the Infringements Act 2006 and the Fines Reform Act 2014 valid reasons are:
- exceptional circumstances (unforeseen or unpreventable circumstances, e.g. medical emergencies)
- contrary to law
- mistaken identity
- person unaware of fine
- special circumstances (only mental health issues, substance abuse, homelessness and family violence)
- Penalty Reminder Notice fee waiver request (this does not waive the infringement cost)
The internal review process can take up to 90 days and you will be advised of the outcome.
In accordance with the Infringements Act 2006, an infringement notice can only be reviewed once. The decision to review is final. No further correspondence will be entered into after the notice of decision has been communicated.
Please note that at times we may require additional information from you to support your application for internal review. You should provide this information by the specified date. If it is not received, a decision will be made based on the information at hand.
Should your internal review be unsuccessful, you will be advised of a new payment date.
How to appeal
Print out and complete an application form to request an internal review of your infringement.
You can also send a letter to us requesting that the notice be reviewed.
If you write to us, your letter must provide the following information:
- your name and postal address
- the infringement notice number
- the offence as stated on the infringement notice
- a valid reason of why you believe the infringement notice should be reviewed
- any supporting evidence
Please send your completed application form or letter to:
Hobsons Bay City Council
PO Box 21
Altona VIC 3018
or email your completed application for internal review form to customerservice@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Request to go to court
You can elect to have your infringement notice dealt with in the Magistrates' Court by notifying us in writing. Please note that additional costs may apply. We recommend that you seek independent legal advice prior to making that decision.
What if I do not pay or do the specified works/actions
Hobsons Bay City Council takes steps to enforce unpaid infringement notices. At each stage you have the opportunity to pay the infringement notice, including any added prescribed fees.
Step 1 : Penalty Reminder Notice
21 days to pay the infringement notice (plus prescribed fees of $27.70)
After 28 days Council will send you a reminder called a Penalty Reminder Notice. An extra fee of $27.70 will be added to the infringement notice at this stage. The notice will provide options including:
- pay the total amount by the due date
- request an internal review
- elect to have the matter heard in the Magistrates' Court
Step 2 :
After 60 days of a unpaid penalty notice or works not taken Council will send you a reminder called a penalty reminder notice. An extra fee of $27.70 will be added to the infringement notice amount.
Step 3 :
If the infringement notice remains unpaid or the specified works incomplete you will be notified. Council will brief a legal practitioner for the issuing of criminal charges and summons at the Magistrates' Court.
At this stage prior to the issuing of charges, the penalty and additional costs may be paid and the required works undertaken.
If the penalty notice is paid but the works are not done within the specified time, Council will refund any paid monies and brief a legal practitioner for the issuing of criminal charges and summons at the Magistrates' Court.
The Magistrate will determine the penalty.
For more information please contact us.