Attorney-General Robert Hulls announced the plan last week, saying those with unpaid State Government-issued fines will pay only the original cost of the infringement if they pay up by March 19.

In Brimbank, 30,176 residents have 178,916 outstanding fines.

Brimbank and Hume residents had the highest amount of unpaid fines across Melbourne's north west.

In Hume, 23,742 people had 189,882 fines not paid. Hobson's Bay and Maribyrnong residents combined had 129,018 fines overdue.

"This fee waiver gives people the opportunity and incentive to act on their fines instead of simply hoping the will go away," Mr Hulls said.

The waiver applies to all State Government-issued fines including those from the Department of Transport, Victoria Police and Department of Primary Industries.

Eleven local councils are also taking part in the waiver, meaning outstanding fines issued by them will also have the extra costs taken off. Those councils are Brimbank, Melbourne, Yarra, Moonee Valley, Port Phillip, Kingston, Greater Shepparton, West Wimmera, Monash, Stonnington, Brimbank and Campaspe Shire.

But those with unpaid fines should be warned - once the waiver period is over, the sheriff will get tough in reclaiming monies owing.

"With the addition of 22 new sheriff's officers and initiatives such as wheel clamping and registration non-renewal, fine defaulters will face a concerted enforcement operation," Mr Hulls said.

Officers will also be able to use new automated numberplate recognition technology, which allows them to electronically verify the number of warrants belonging to individual defaulters.

What do you think? Write a letter to fcnvicwestletters@fairfaxmedia.co m.au