A total fire ban has been declared across Banyule and all other parts of Victoria for today. No fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open air at any time on 22 February 2025.
If you are caught breaking the law in Banyule, you will be issued with a penalty in the form of an infringement notice, typically referred to as a fine.
You may receive a fine:
If you don't deal with your fine by the due date, the matter will become more serious and additional costs may be added.
There are several stages offences can typically go through if no action is taken, with each stage increasing the severity and penalty.
When you first receive a fine, you will be issued with an Infringement Notice. You will have 21 days to pay the fine, or deal with it in another way.
Your Infringement Notice will include information about:
Choose the category of fine indicated on your Infringement Notice to find out what your options are.
If you do not act by the due date on your fine, your fine may move to the next stage, and you will be issued with a Penalty Reminder Notice. A Penalty Reminder Notice will add additional fees to your fine and give you an additional 14 days to deal with your fine before it becomes more serious.
If you do not do anything about your Infringement Notice and Penalty Reminder Notice and the due date for payment has passed, we may register the matter with Fines Victoria.
Fines Victoria will then send a Notice of Final Demand and a further fee will be added to the fine.
There are several ways you can comply with a Notice of Final Demand from Fines Victoria for instance paying your fine in full.
Planning offences at the enforcement stage are instead heard in court or tribunal, for instance the Magistrates Court of Victoria or the VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal).
If you don't pay your fine and do not do anything about your Penalty Reminder Notice and Notice of Final Demand, the Magistrates' Court of Victoria may issue an Enforcement Warrant against you and add fees.
To avoid further enforcement action against you once an Enforcement Warrant has been issued, you can pay your fine in full, ask to pay in instalments or ask for more time to pay.
If you do not do anything about your Enforcement Warrant, you will be personally served with a 7 Day Notice. A 7 Day Notice is your final warning to deal with your fine before the Sheriff takes further action against you.
See What happens when the sheriff contacts you on the Department of Justice and Community Safety website.
Planning offences at the warrant stage have actions determined in court or tribunal, for instance the Magistrates Court of Victoria or the VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal). These actions may not involve an Enforcement Warrant.
The fastest way to deal with your fine is to pay it online.
Pay now
To speak to someone about a fine in your preferred language, call TIS National on 131 450 and ask to be connected to Banyule Council on 9490 4222.