Monash City Council — Local services in Melbourne

Fine trap set-up by Monash Council near Oakleigh South Primary School

I received a $192 parking fine from Monash Council. I initially parked in the designated parking area. When my 7-year-old daughter tried to get out of the car, overgrown bushes blocked her way. I slightly moved the car ahead so that she could get out of the car without scratching her eyes/face (See ATTACHED PICS). The incident took place at the 2-minute car park on Farm Road near Oakleigh South Primary School during peak school drop-off time.

This situation is like a trap set up by the council. They would not cut the bush next to the designated parking and when someone tries to navigate it, they would issue a fine. They still (as of 13th Feb 2024) haven't cut the little tree/bush.

The Problem This parking spot has a little tree which blocks the rear exit door of the car. If one stops exactly at the designated area, the branches of the tree could scratch your face and neck. It happened to my daughter in the past where a branch scratched her face narrowly missing her eyes.

Council's Response I pleaded that they should make a safe parking area in a school zone by pruning overgrown branches and share some burden of the problem here. However, they said it was my responsibility to find a safe space. As if finding parking in peak drop off time near a primary school with over 1000 students was a cake walk!

Our Financial Stress due to cancer I further explained to the council that my wife is a cancer patient, and we are on reduced income. I am trying to look after a cancer patient, raising two kids and running my business. This fine would add to the financial pressure we are already facing due to increased mortgage repayments and cost of living pressure. They are taking away our weeks’ worth of grocery money. I requested them to show some compassion to our situation.

Insult to injury Their response was to increase the fine from $192 to $219.70 for missing the deadline.

When I investigated why they had increased the fine while we were seeking proof of this incident, they responded that they had sent us the proof, but as they didn't hear anything from us by the due date, the fine was further increased.

When I checked the dates etc, I realised that we were away for 2.5 weeks when the council's letter arrived. Our next door neighbour who collected our letters passed away due to cancer on the day we came back to our house!

While we were busy helping our neighbour’s daughter (who lives alone) with funerals etc, I couldn’t bring it to ask her for the letters. When she gave us the letters, it was past the due date hence the extra fine. I called and spoke with the council supervisor, and explained our exceptional situation. I also offered to provide our travel tickets and death certificate etc. to prove the legitimacy of our story, but she asked us to pay the fine or go to a court.

If I could give 0 star, I would have done that!

This council only knows how to make money out of people. There is no compassion and logical understanding of the situation. They do not even take responsibilities for their own inactions.

Perhaps if we could collate all these reviews and present it to the Media and get them famous on TV and social media,...

Just moved into the area and had a few things to do with council. Positives: One nice person on the phone (out of probably 15) Negatives: Called regarding kerbside pickups; they do one a year, in a set week with a very tight limit on how much you can put out. Knox council has a much better arrangement - 2 a year, per house hold, and you order it when you are ready. Definitely translates to a cleaner council area Called because two MASSIVE dogs arrived on our front yard in the middle of a HOT day. Called and was told (literally!) "Good for you" and she hung up. Ended up calling 6 times, got hung up on 4 times; finally 6 hours later someone was dispatched (he was lovely, and not his fault). Turns out the dogs had been reported missing; could have resolved it so much earlier, if someone had of cared; instead I had to sit around waiting when I was supposed to be working.

On another note; in August they are switching bin pickup. General waste will go once a fortnight, and green waste will go once a week. For a family of 6, plus dog, cat, aquarium, working from home and medical waste, we are already overflowing our bin, despite putting food scraps in green waste. So to switch to once a fortnight; well we will have two+ bins worth of rubbish with no where to put it!!! We rent, and cant contact our owner who lives overseas, so cant even get another/bigger bin (not that we want/can afford to pay more!!). Its the stupidest idea we have ever heard of and we have lived in councils all over Australia. As a family we are genuinely worried about what we are going to do come August. And the worry of this on top of life, covid, potential job loss, financial situation... not good.

As someone who has worked with local governments, state/federal members and councils for many years, I have never come across a more incompetent or ignorant council. Staff who answer phones are rude and don't listen; policies make life harder for residents; not a lot really makes sense in this council to be honest. Not a happy resident, a sentiment many of our...

⭐ 1-star review As a long-term resident of Oakleigh, I am extremely disappointed with the behaviour of Monash City Council, particularly Councillor Stuart James, regarding the cycling path project at the intersection of Westminster Street and Burlington Street, Oakleigh. I raised genuine and well-founded concerns about this project, including: • The lack of data on pedestrian and cyclist usage both before and after construction • Serious safety issues created by the new design • The fact that the project went ahead despite strong local opposition • A complete absence of post-project review or accountability Instead of responding with transparency and professionalism, Councillor Stuart James sent me an aggressive and dismissive email. He accused me of making “baseless accusations,” labelled my tone as “disrespectful,” and stated there would be no further replies — simply because I questioned the decision-making and asked for evidence. This behaviour is completely unacceptable from someone elected to represent all residents. It is not only disrespectful — it is bullying. Community members have every right to question how public funds are spent and to demand accountability. To make matters worse, the Councillor confirmed that Council does not collect data on pedestrian or cyclist use and has no intention of doing so in future — meaning there is no evidence to support whether this project was needed or successful. This is a reckless and irresponsible approach to infrastructure planning. Council should welcome scrutiny, not shut it down. This experience has left me — and many other residents — feeling ignored, dismissed, and extremely concerned about how Monash Council conducts itself. We deserve better. This is not what good...