The allure of Australia's beaches is undeniable. Their golden sands and rolling waves beckon locals and tourists alike to bask in their natural beauty.

But for one woman, a brief pause to admire the surf turned into an unexpected and costly lesson in parking regulations.

Amy Sloane was drawn to the picturesque scene at The Esplanade at New South Wales' Caves Beach.

On 6 July, she stopped her car to check the surf conditions, a seemingly harmless act many beachgoers might do without a second thought.

However, this quick stop resulted in a $136 fine in her mailbox weeks later, leaving her both surprised and frustrated.

Amy Sloane was fined $136 for wrong-way parking at Caves Beach, NSW. Credits: Facebook

'How do I feel? Pissed off,' she expressed.

‘Rangers can't fine people who don't pick up after their dogs on our beaches but can secretly fine you without you knowing for just checking out the surf for five minutes.’

Amy felt that the fine was issued stealthily, without any immediate indication from the parking inspector that she had committed an offence.

She didn't mince words when she labelled the council workers as 'cowards,' highlighting that the area where she stopped is a familiar spot for locals and tourists to enjoy the view.

However, the council had a different perspective. Lake Macquarie City Council defended the fine.

‘The fine at hand was issued for not parallel parking in the direction of travel, which is a safety offence under Australian Road Rules.’ the council spokesperson explained.

‘The driver's vehicle crossed double white lines and was parked near a bend, facing oncoming traffic, which further heightened safety concerns,’

‘Lake Macquarie City Council enforces parking regulations to ensure the safety of all road users.

The reaction on social media to Amy's predicament was mixed.

While some sympathised with her frustration, others argued that the fine was justified.'

‘If you think the fine is wrong, fight it. If you were parked incorrectly, wear the fine,' one commenter advised.

Ultimately, Amy decided to pay the fine, albeit reluctantly.

In related news, parking across your driveway is illegal in New South Wales and can result in substantial fines.

A Sydney resident received a fine for parking across her driveway, unaware that it was against the law. Read more about the incident here.

Key Takeaways

• Amy Sloane was fined $136 for parking her car in the opposite direction of travel at Caves Beach, NSW.
• The Lake Macquarie City Council defended the fine, stating it was a known 'safety offence under Australian Road Rules' and emphasised enforcing parking regulations for road safety.
• Sloane expressed frustration on social media, where opinions were mixed, with some agreeing with the fine and others sympathising with her.
• After considering her options, Sloane decided to pay the fine despite her annoyance with the situation.

Have you ever encountered or been in a similar situation before? Please share your experiences and tips on how to avoid parking fines in the comments below.

 

[Clancieblue]

You Are Here :Home / For residents/ Parking / Parking rules

Parking rules​

Parking rules are in place to ensure parked or stopped vehicles do not affect local access or traffic flow. We have an obligation to enforce the NSW Road Rules to ensure the safety of everyone. Further information on safety and rules on NSW roads can be found at NSW Government's parking rules page and via Transport for NSW.
If you wish to pay or dispute a parking fine, you must contact Revenue NSW.
Parallel parking is the usual way to park unless signs indicate otherwise. You must park in the same direction as the adjacent traffic, parallel and as close as possible to the kerb.
This information will help you understand where vehicles are and aren't allowed to park. More information on illegal parking, including how to report parking infringements can be found on our report an issue - illegal parking page.

Restricting traffic flow and waste collection​

Motorists must leave at least 3m of clear roadway between their vehicle and parked vehicles on the other side of the road, dividing strips, traffic islands or double unbroken dividing lines. This allows large vehicles such as waste trucks to access local street.

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Parking on nature strips or footpaths​

We understand that people sometimes use the nature strip because they feel it is safer than parking on the road, especially in streets that are narrow or where there is not a concrete kerb and gutter. However, the reality is that parking fully or partially on nature strips and footpaths, regardless of the intention, or whether there is a concrete kerb installed, is illegal.

---

Heavy vehicles​

Heavy vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonnes or more or long vehicles, 7.5m or longer, can only park in a built up area or where a 50kmh speed limit applies for one hour.

---

Continuous yellow line​

Continuous or unbroken yellow lines on the side of roads indicates no stopping. A driver must not stop at the side of a road marked with a continuous yellow line and keep clear so that drivers and pedestrians have a clear view of each other and road safety is maintained.

---

Blocked driveways​

Motorists must not park on or across a driveway or prevent access to a property. This restricts pedestrian access and can reduce visibility for other road users. This includes parking in your own driveway outside of the property boundary.

---

Intersections​

Motorists must not stop or park within 20m of an intersection with traffic lights or 10m from an intersection without traffic lights, unless otherwise signed. At a T-intersection, you can park along the continuous road, unless otherwise signed or indicated.

---

Caravans and trailers​

Registered vehicles can be parked on a residential street provided it does not exceed the weight and length limit. Registered vehicles less than 4.5 tonnes in weight (GVM – Gross Vehicle Mass) or less than 7.5 metres in length can park on residential streets for an unlimited time. Vehicles larger than this can only park on a residential street for a maximum of 1 hour unless otherwise specified by a parking sign.

---

Kiss and ride zones around schools​

These zones are designed for quick entry and exit and minimise congestion and risk when used properly by all parents and carers. These zones operate under the same conditions as no parking zones, which means you may stop to drop off or pick up children for a maximum of 2 minutes. You’re required to remain in, or within 3 metres of your vehicle.

---

No parking​

You must not park on a road or in an area where there’s a ‘No parking’ sign. This may be all the time or at certain times, as shown on the sign. You can stop for less than two minutes if you stay within 3m of your vehicle, if you’re dropping off or picking up passengers or loading or unloading items. If you have a Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit, you can stop for up to five minutes.

---

No stopping​

The ‘No stopping’ sign means you must not stop at any point on the road or kerb in the direction of the arrow, unless in an emergency. ‘No stopping’ areas are sometimes marked by an unbroken yellow edge line. Restrictions may apply at certain times only, as shown on the sign.

---

Was this page helpful? Seems pretty clear to me.

 

[Rob44]

If my local Council/cops were to enforce those rules where I live, and especially around the local primary school, they'd be rolling in money.Two rows of mums' SUVs on either side of the street, around a bend with only just enough room left for the local bus to edge its way through the remaining space. And one local resident's car parked permanently on the bend.

 

[Clancieblue]

If my local Council/cops were to enforce those rules where I live, and especially around the local primary school, they'd be rolling in money.Two rows of mums' SUVs on either side of the street, around a bend with only just enough room left for the local bus to edge its way through the remaining space. And one local resident's car parked permanently on the bend.

Would serve them right.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Kiss and ride zones around schools​

A strange description for a drop off zone....

 

[Veggiepatch]

Something that gets right up my nose!!



Self entitled EV owners have their own parking while charging? On a public street, funded and maintained by non EV drivers as well?

Reeks of discrimination!

 

[Abby2]

You Are Here :Home / For residents/ Parking / Parking rules

Parking rules​

Parking rules are in place to ensure parked or stopped vehicles do not affect local access or traffic flow. We have an obligation to enforce the NSW Road Rules to ensure the safety of everyone. Further information on safety and rules on NSW roads can be found at NSW Government's parking rules page and via Transport for NSW.
If you wish to pay or dispute a parking fine, you must contact Revenue NSW.
Parallel parking is the usual way to park unless signs indicate otherwise. You must park in the same direction as the adjacent traffic, parallel and as close as possible to the kerb.
This information will help you understand where vehicles are and aren't allowed to park. More information on illegal parking, including how to report parking infringements can be found on our report an issue - illegal parking page.

Restricting traffic flow and waste collection​

Motorists must leave at least 3m of clear roadway between their vehicle and parked vehicles on the other side of the road, dividing strips, traffic islands or double unbroken dividing lines. This allows large vehicles such as waste trucks to access local street.

---

Parking on nature strips or footpaths​

We understand that people sometimes use the nature strip because they feel it is safer than parking on the road, especially in streets that are narrow or where there is not a concrete kerb and gutter. However, the reality is that parking fully or partially on nature strips and footpaths, regardless of the intention, or whether there is a concrete kerb installed, is illegal.

---

Heavy vehicles​

Heavy vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonnes or more or long vehicles, 7.5m or longer, can only park in a built up area or where a 50kmh speed limit applies for one hour.

---

Continuous yellow line​

Continuous or unbroken yellow lines on the side of roads indicates no stopping. A driver must not stop at the side of a road marked with a continuous yellow line and keep clear so that drivers and pedestrians have a clear view of each other and road safety is maintained.

---

Blocked driveways​

Motorists must not park on or across a driveway or prevent access to a property. This restricts pedestrian access and can reduce visibility for other road users. This includes parking in your own driveway outside of the property boundary.

---

Intersections​

Motorists must not stop or park within 20m of an intersection with traffic lights or 10m from an intersection without traffic lights, unless otherwise signed. At a T-intersection, you can park along the continuous road, unless otherwise signed or indicated.

---

Caravans and trailers​

Registered vehicles can be parked on a residential street provided it does not exceed the weight and length limit. Registered vehicles less than 4.5 tonnes in weight (GVM – Gross Vehicle Mass) or less than 7.5 metres in length can park on residential streets for an unlimited time. Vehicles larger than this can only park on a residential street for a maximum of 1 hour unless otherwise specified by a parking sign.

---

Kiss and ride zones around schools​

These zones are designed for quick entry and exit and minimise congestion and risk when used properly by all parents and carers. These zones operate under the same conditions as no parking zones, which means you may stop to drop off or pick up children for a maximum of 2 minutes. You’re required to remain in, or within 3 metres of your vehicle.

---

No parking​

You must not park on a road or in an area where there’s a ‘No parking’ sign. This may be all the time or at certain times, as shown on the sign. You can stop for less than two minutes if you stay within 3m of your vehicle, if you’re dropping off or picking up passengers or loading or unloading items. If you have a Mobility Parking Scheme (MPS) permit, you can stop for up to five minutes.

---

No stopping​

The ‘No stopping’ sign means you must not stop at any point on the road or kerb in the direction of the arrow, unless in an emergency. ‘No stopping’ areas are sometimes marked by an unbroken yellow edge line. Restrictions may apply at certain times only, as shown on the sign.

---

Was this page helpful? Seems pretty clear to me.

 

[Abby2]

Wow Look at all the kerb and guttering - we have none of those do you just guess where the 30 m is ??

 

[ToniaKisliakov]

She should learn to read English

 

[BeautifulMousey]

She should learn to read English

You mean those signs were in English

 

[josephincorvil]

Hi Amy, do you think that you would do it again?

 

[Ezzy]

Why didn't this woman either:-
a) find a side street, turn into it, turn around & return to where she eventually parked, facing the correct way?
b) Stay parked in the street & walk across the road to look at the surf?
c) find an area on the side of the road in the direction she was going, do a 'u-turn' & park in that space?
In either a) or c) she would have to go forward & turn again to be able to travel again in the direction she was travelling.

 

[deni67]

By signing for getting your licence it is a legal contract to obey the rules of the road. Maybe you should go and read the road rules and how getting a licence makes you agree to the these rules. Your rant is totally ridiculous and unwarranted as rules are there for the safety of everyone

That person is a member of the Soverign Citizen brigade, they think road rules etc don't apply to them lol

 

[Veggiepatch]

That person is a member of the Soverign Citizen brigade, they think road rules etc don't apply to them lol

Who are they? Someone like The Illuminati?

 

[Rob44]

Who are they? Someone like The Illuminati?

Same mob as the ELITES contaminating our sea-salt with microchips. And our vaccines by all accounts. It's a global conspiracy; probably putting microchips in our petrol as well! Would you reckon that that parking error was a test by the ELITES to see how effective those microchips were at controlling us?

 

[Veggiepatch]

Same mob as the ELITES contaminating our sea-salt with microchips. And our vaccines by all accounts. It's a global conspiracy; probably putting microchips in our petrol as well! Would you reckon that that parking error was a test by the ELITES to see how effective those microchips were at controlling us?

And don't forget the fluoride put in water to cause mass compliance of the population by the government....