News

Parents call for parking solutions as fines stack up at local sports grounds

By Taylah Baker

Oct 23, 2025

Parents are struggling to find legal parking near the Shepparton Sports Precinct during busy weekends. Photo by Megan Fisher

It’s not just the scoreboard causing tension at Shepparton’s soccer fields — for many parents, it’s the parking tickets.

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Local dad Ramy Girgis said finding a legal place to park around the Shepparton Sports Precinct had turned into a “weekly struggle”, especially on busy Saturdays during the peak winter sports season.

This situation is particularly challenging along Packham St when he goes to watch his son play soccer at McEwen Reserve, leaving him with very few legal parking options and leading to what he believes will be many fines.

He’s not alone in feeling that.

“I admit, I parked in the wrong spot, and I paid the fine,” Mr Girgis said.

“On this day, they were fining everyone — at least 25 cars had fines on them — because there was not one parking spot along there.

“But my question is: what happens next week if there’s still no spots and I have to park there again?”

Mr Girgis believes that with only about 290 designated parking spaces for the soccer fields, which is insufficient during peak times, Greater Shepparton City Council should seek practical solutions instead of resorting to penalties.

And the issue runs deeper than mere convenience.

“I need to watch my son,” he said.

“He’s looking for me all the time, he wants to see me watching him.

“Parents work hard to get their kids to community sport, and then you come and fine them — that’s very low, in my opinion.”

McEwen Reserve has been specifically noted for having inadequate parking. Photo by Megan Fisher

Mr Girgis also voiced frustration with communication from council.

After reaching out to address this issue, he only received an automated reply followed by “months and months of waiting”.

When contacted for comment, council director of infrastructure Gary Randhawa told the News the precinct provided ample parking throughout the site to accommodate all sporting codes on weekends.

“On busy Saturdays, some visitors tend to prefer to park as close as possible to their chosen sporting venue, despite the availability of spaces further away,” he said.

“The precinct features excellent footpath connectivity, ensuring easy access across the entire site.”

Mr Randhawa confirmed there were no immediate plans to expand parking but noted that additional spaces would be included in the Sports City Masterplan’s northern expansion alongside new fields.

When asked about discretion or warnings during peak periods, Mr Randhawa said enforcement was guided by “safety concerns and the need to maintain clear access”.

“Council includes targeted patrols as part of its enforcement activity … guided by the need to maintain clear access to all users,” he said.

For now, parents such as Mr Girgis remain frustrated.

“You’re doing your job fining people, but on the other hand, you’re not doing your job in listening to us and our need — we need more parking,” he said.