'Did you know it was illegal?': Little known vehicle rule confuses Aussie woman
- Replies 42
In a tale that seems almost too bizarre to be true, an Australian homeowner has been slapped with a hefty fine that has left her flabbergasted.
This situation also sparked a heated debate about the boundaries of private property rights and local council regulations.
Imagine being fined for sleeping on your property.
It's a scenario that Gold Coast local Belinda recently faced while she slept in her driveway.
Belinda's ordeal began when she was woken up by a council worker patrolling the area.
'Did you know it was illegal to sleep in your vehicle? Well, it is!' she prefaced.
'I got woken up at 1:30 am. A council worker must have been patrolling the area, and the little weasel must have called the police officer.'
'The two of them were at my door at 1:30 am, and they issued me with this notice,' Belinda shared in a video, showing the fine she received.
The notice for 'unlawful camping in a public place' slapped her with a $806 fine.
According to the Gold Coast City Council, the fine was for illegal camping.
The council defined illegal camping as sleeping or attempting to sleep overnight in a tent or motor vehicle.
The council's spokesperson stated that this includes public spaces like parks, roads, and driveways on public land between a private property boundary and the kerb.
They also mentioned that first-time offenders are usually given a warning and educated on appropriate places to sleep before being asked to move on.
However, the kicker was Belinda was parked on her property, in her own driveway.
'My house is currently in the process of being built, there's only a few things left to do, and yet I'm not allowed to stay in my van,' she explained.
Belinda's story sparked outrage and confusion among Australians.
Several comments expressed their disbelief and frustration over the rule.
'Don't drive tired, but also don't sleep or rest in your car,' one person sarcastically remarked.
'So they tell us to pull up and rest while travelling long distances… How hypocritical,' another agreed.
'So, if I set up a tent in the backyard and camp out with my kids, will I get a fine, too? How is this any different?' a third asked in disbelief.
'What we do on our property is no one's business.'
'Don't pay, take it to court, show you are the owner of the property, make them apologise, and ask them to pay costs for court and your wasted time,' one suggested.
'That's appalling. They shouldn't even have been stepping on your private property,' a commenter agreed.
Watch Belinda Lee Rose's story here:
Source: @belindaleerose/TikTok
Homeowners need to be aware of their local council's rules to avoid fines.
However, it's equally essential for councils to exercise discretion and consider the context before issuing fines.
Belinda's case should be a cautionary tale for all of us.
It's a reminder to stay informed about our rights and to challenge decisions that seem unfair or unreasonable.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Have you ever faced an unexpected fine on your property? How did you handle it? Share your experiences in the comments below.
This situation also sparked a heated debate about the boundaries of private property rights and local council regulations.
Imagine being fined for sleeping on your property.
It's a scenario that Gold Coast local Belinda recently faced while she slept in her driveway.
Belinda's ordeal began when she was woken up by a council worker patrolling the area.
Belinda Lee Rose showed the fine in a video posted online. Image Credit: TikTok/Belinda Lee Rose
'Did you know it was illegal to sleep in your vehicle? Well, it is!' she prefaced.
'I got woken up at 1:30 am. A council worker must have been patrolling the area, and the little weasel must have called the police officer.'
'The two of them were at my door at 1:30 am, and they issued me with this notice,' Belinda shared in a video, showing the fine she received.
The notice for 'unlawful camping in a public place' slapped her with a $806 fine.
According to the Gold Coast City Council, the fine was for illegal camping.
The council defined illegal camping as sleeping or attempting to sleep overnight in a tent or motor vehicle.
The council's spokesperson stated that this includes public spaces like parks, roads, and driveways on public land between a private property boundary and the kerb.
They also mentioned that first-time offenders are usually given a warning and educated on appropriate places to sleep before being asked to move on.
However, the kicker was Belinda was parked on her property, in her own driveway.
'My house is currently in the process of being built, there's only a few things left to do, and yet I'm not allowed to stay in my van,' she explained.
Belinda's story sparked outrage and confusion among Australians.
Several comments expressed their disbelief and frustration over the rule.
'Don't drive tired, but also don't sleep or rest in your car,' one person sarcastically remarked.
'So they tell us to pull up and rest while travelling long distances… How hypocritical,' another agreed.
'So, if I set up a tent in the backyard and camp out with my kids, will I get a fine, too? How is this any different?' a third asked in disbelief.
'What we do on our property is no one's business.'
'Don't pay, take it to court, show you are the owner of the property, make them apologise, and ask them to pay costs for court and your wasted time,' one suggested.
'That's appalling. They shouldn't even have been stepping on your private property,' a commenter agreed.
Watch Belinda Lee Rose's story here:
Source: @belindaleerose/TikTok
Homeowners need to be aware of their local council's rules to avoid fines.
However, it's equally essential for councils to exercise discretion and consider the context before issuing fines.
Belinda's case should be a cautionary tale for all of us.
It's a reminder to stay informed about our rights and to challenge decisions that seem unfair or unreasonable.
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