Revenue NSW data shows only 18 per cent of the Riverina Region's public health order, COVID-19 fines have been paid

More than $1.13 million worth of penalty notices have been issued throughout the region since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, but only $202,850 worth have been paid.

The figures show just 18 per cent of the public health order fines have been paid, with Wagga topping the local list for rule-breakers and two categories worth a combined $62,000 ignored completely.

Wagga racked up the biggest bill for defying public health orders across, with 503 fines issued for a total of $609,000.

Across the region, 11 plenty notices for failure to comply with self-isolation directions were issued at a total value of $55,000, however, zero payments are yet to be made.

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Similarly, none of the seven fines issued for travelling from metropolitan Sydney to a place in NSW while the capital was under strict lockdown have been paid.

Just one person from a total of 15 who were stung for illegally participating in an outdoor public gathering has coughed up the $3000 debt incurred in the process.

The majority of offences were individuals failing to comply with noticed direction, earning themselves $1000 tickets on the spot, accounting for 669 of the 1168 fines in the region.

People choosing to flout mask-wearing rules were next on the list, with 216 tickets handed out over the course of the pandemic.

Griffith and Narrandera shared second place for the most amount of penalty notices accumulated, with both communities slapped with 120 fines to break the six-figure financial barrier.

The government should have recouped $116,000 from the Griffith postcode, while those fined in Narrandera owed $105,700 for breaches of the public health orders.

Those fined in Leeton racked up $96,600 in 105 instances of not adhering to the strict pandemic rules, rounding out the top three locations for penalty notices.

A spokesperson from Revenue NSW stated that the state government's highest priority has always been to ensure the health and safety of its residents.

"Revenue NSW administers fines on behalf of issuing authorities with penalty amounts set by legislation and collaborates with them and other government agencies, advocates, community organisations and legal sector agencies through a cross-agency working group to ensure recovery of fines is fair and equitable," they said.

Revenue NSW asks that those struggling to pay their penalty notice contact them to discuss their situation and the most suitable option for resolution.

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