Helen and Peter Cattalini have accused Lake Macquarie City Council of running a "police state" to covertly raise cash by praying on unsuspecting weekend motorists.

The Cattalinis have paid the fine - which equates to $33,840 an hour - but say they will appeal.

The retired couple were returning from visiting family in Sydney on a Sunday afternoon when they stopped at Morisset Square for a carton of milk.

"My husband stopped just long enough for me to get out of the car, probably 15 seconds or less, and then he parked on the other side of the road and waited for me," Mrs Cattalini said.

Several days later the couple received a Lake Macquarie City Council infringement notice which stated they had committed an offence between 12.44pm and 12.44pm.

"This is a taxi zone we are talking about and I would point out that there's no sign that says you can't momentarily stop to drop somebody off which is what taxis do," Mrs Cattalini said.

"We're furious. My husband was parked legally on the other side of the road waiting for me in what must have been full view of the ranger yet he or she must have sneaked away.

"It must be the council's way of raising money because any normal, decent person would have issued a warning for such a trivial thing or at least have given us the infringement personally.

"I imagine he or she would have been too embarrassed as indeed they should be unless they have targets to meet or something," Mrs Cattalini said.

"I would like to know how many other people are getting caught like this, but one thing is for sure, I won't be going back to Morisset Shopping Square again."

A council spokesperson defended the ranger's action.

"They only have to sight somebody to issue an infringement notice," the spokesperson said.

"The driver can appeal the penalty."

Last financial year council received $566,573 from infringements.