The Nowra CBD Business Chamber is pushing for a reduction in parking fines in the Shoalhaven.
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Their argument - your average Shoalhaven resident earns about 20 per cent less per year than your average NSW resident, so why should local council sting them with the most expensive parking fine possible?
Nowra CBD Business Chamber president Scott Baxter said it's a case of basic mathematics.
"Bureau of Statistics figures show the average income for NSW is $48,000, for the Shoalhaven it's $39,000," he said.
"On average our wages are about 20 per cent less than all of NSW, therefore that is how much parking fines should come down."
A 20 per cent reduction would bring the standard fine of $112 down to $89.60.
Shoalhaven City Councillors, however, are not convinced reducing parking fines is the best way forward.
At a recent meeting, a majority of councillors voted to delay a decision on the matter until it had been considered by council's finance department.
Councillors Andrew Guile, Mark Kitchener, Bob Proudfoot, Greg Watson and Mitchell Pakes, who were hoping to vote through a fine reduction of 25 per cent at the meeting, revolted against the delay.
Their argument is that fines are not considered to be a council revenue stream, and therefore no budgetary considerations need to made for a decision to be reached on the matter.
"Given the state government is saying they're happy for us to reduce fines, let's do it," Cr Guile said.
"These aren't fines for serious misdemeanours.
"We should be cutting our people a break wherever we can rather than seeking to impose more costs."
A rescission motion, lodged at the February meeting, will bring the matter to the floor of council again, on March 26.
Meanwhile, Shoalhaven Council's compliance manager Colin Wood has argued a fee reduction would send the wrong message.
“In the past, it has been found that lowering the fee results in more penalties being issued because it no longer carries the deterrent value,” Mr Wood said.
“Thus, commercial business’ would suffer as people could park there all day and there it also limits access for people who may need to travel elsewhere.”
