Big cat flap

By Lilly O’Gorman
DEBBORAH Bryce has 35 days to pay almost $1000 worth of council fines that she simply can’t afford.
But she says she hasn’t done anything wrong.
The Pakenham resident is facing four $234 fines, for failing to register her cats.
Ms Bryce says that two of these fines are inconsistent and unfair, and she refuses to pay up again.
“I have paid the registration. The payments have gone through and been processed. If there was a late fee I would cop it, but they are fining me for not paying it at all,” she said.
“The fact that I paid the dog registration at the exact same time but wasn’t penalised is very strange and doesn’t make sense.”
Debborah received final notices for registration from Cardinia Council and then a visit from the council by-laws officer on 11 May, who told Debborah she had to pay up by 25 May.
“I pleaded with the by-laws officer for an extension until 28 May, but was told that 14 days is all that I would be given,” she said.
The mother of four has been unemployed for six months and relies on Centrelink payments.
Her 10-month-old twins Jack and Oscar were born prematurely and suffer from ongoing respiratory problems.
Jack is currently hospitalised with bronchitis.
“I’m trying to be reasonable and I don’t want to cause any trouble with the council, but I feel like I am an easy target,” she said.
“I will accept the fine for not registering my third cat, and pay the permit for having more than two cats.
“But I will not pay the other fines because I have not done the wrong thing.
“There is nothing in the Act saying that councils can fine you for being overdue.”
Cardinia Shire Council Manager Local Laws Alan Giachin said local laws officers asked several times over three years for the cats to be registered, before the fine was issued as a last resort.
“Until now, these cats had never been registered with Cardinia Shire Council despite renewal notices and reminder notices being sent to the owner in 2008, 2009 and again in 2010,” Mr Giachin said.
“The due date for registration was10 April so payment was three monthslate, not three days, and was really overtwo years late in terms of the original request.”
Ms Bryce said she was considering taking the matter to court.