Leichhardt Council understands that a person who has received a parking infringement may believe for whatever reason that this infringement was issued incorrectly or unfairly. Please note that Leichhardt Council takes photographic evidence of all parking offences.
The State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO) adjudicates and administers all infringement notices and fines for Council. This means that all infringement notices or fines issued by Leichhardt Council (including parking infringements) are sent to the SDRO who are responsible for the administration and processing of these matters. This is done for probity and fairness and to ensure the authority (Leichhardt Council) issuing the fine is not adjudicating on any appeals.
The SDRO also acknowledges that under certain circumstances, a person may have grounds to request a review of the issuing of a parking infringement. For more information, refer to the SDRO Review Guidelines document at 
SDRO Review Guidelines Updated May 2008 - 351 KB
Can Leichhardt Council waive the fine?
No. The SDRO is the only agency that has the power to waive or cancel a parking infringement.
Can an appeal be lodged direct to Council?
Council has a formal agreement with the SDRO for them to adjudicate on all fines issued by Council in accordance with their published review guidelines. As such, it is recommended that an appeal be lodged directly to the SDRO. If you think however Leichhardt Council can provide factual evidence or has records that may assist you with your appeal such as evidence of a faulty meter, current resident parking permit or valid parking ticket then you may need to contact us.
What Criteria does the SDRO use to decide to waive a fine?
In the SDRO Review Guidelines document released in May 2008, the SDR have listed circumstances which a person can rely on to request a review of the infringement by the SRDO. They include but are no limited to:
- You are the registered owner of the vehicle but were not the driver;
- Vulnerable persons – mental incapacity;
- Medical conditions/emergencies;
- Broken down vehicle;
- Deceased persons;
- Wrong vehicle;
- Emergency services directions, police arrest or witness;
- Broken Parking Meters
- Emergency vehicles, essential services, clergy/charitable organisation, corrective services vehicle, telecommunications vehicle, medical practitioner – urgent professional duty;
For more information regarding each of the above categories and the evidence the SDRO requires to prove the above circumstances, go to the SDRO Review Guidelines document at SDRO Review Guidelines Updated May 2008 - 351 KB
Where are appeals to be sent?
As above, it is recommended that an appeal against an infringement be lodged directly with the State Debt Recover Office. This can be done by sending it to the following address:
State Debt
Recovery Office
PO Box 786
STRAWBERRY HILLS NSW 2012
Further information can be obtained from the SDRO by emailing them at fines@osr.nsw.gov.au or accessing their website at www.sdro.nsw.gov.au