Council ramps up $660 driveway penalties across suburbs: 'It can be a really frustrating'

You've just popped home to grab something you forgot, and there's no parking on your narrow suburban street. Your driveway beckons—surely you can park across it for two minutes while you dash inside?

Think again. What once might have cost you $320 in some areas could now set you back a hefty $660, with your car potentially towed away while you're inside making a cup of tea.

Sydney's Inner West Council has just fired the opening shot in what's shaping up to be Australia's toughest parking enforcement battle yet.

After receiving an incredible 4,393 complaints concerning the contentious act in just a year, the council has doubled fines for offending drivers from $320 to $660 and introduced rapid-response towing that can see your vehicle removed within hours.

But this isn't just a Sydney story—it's a wake-up call for Australian drivers everywhere, particularly those on fixed incomes who can least afford these eye-watering penalties.

The New Reality of Driveway Enforcement

The Inner West Council's crackdown represents a dramatic shift in how parking violations are handled. Gone are the days of gentle warnings or lengthy processes.

Vehicles blocking driveways will now be towed to nearby parking spots, with police notified to inform owners of their car's new location, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The council spokesman confirmed that from the point of complaint, a truck will arrive within 30 minutes to three hours to remove the vehicle in question. 'Three hours is the maximum amount of time it'll take.

The vehicle could be towed within half an hour, it just depends on the availability of the truck,' they explained to Yahoo News Australia.

This swift action comes after Councillor Chloe Smith heard distressing stories from residents about missed medical appointments and childcare drop-offs due to blocked driveways.

'It can be a really frustrating and galling experience for people,' Smith noted, highlighting the real-world impact on community members.

What This Costs You: The True Price of Driveway Parking

The financial impact extends far beyond the initial fine. If your vehicle is towed in Sydney, you're looking at additional costs that can quickly escalate:

• Towing fees: Up to $301 maximum for accident towing or standard rates starting around $100-175 for basic tows within 10 kilometres
  
• Storage charges: Around $23 per day in Sydney metro areas for every day your car sits in the impound yard
  
• Additional fees: After-hours retrieval often carries a 20 per cent surcharge

For someone on a fixed pension, these combined costs can easily exceed $1,000 if the situation isn't resolved quickly—a devastating blow to the household budget.

State-by-State: Driveway Rules Across Australia

The Inner West's harsh approach might be making headlines, but driveway parking rules exist nationwide, with subtle but important differences:

New South Wales

You can't park on or across a driveway, though you can stop across a driveway for up to two minutes, such as if you're waiting for a passenger to come out. This brief allowance is more generous than most other states.

Victoria

Similar prohibition against parking across driveways, with parking fines ranging from $102 to $204 for the 2025-26 financial year, depending on the specific offence.

Queensland

You cannot park on or across a driveway or other way of access for vehicles travelling to or from adjacent land unless you are dropping off or picking up passengers and you drive on within 2 minutes after stopping. As of 1 July 2025, the value of a penalty unit is equal to $166.90 in Brisbane.

Other States

In the other states, laws are worded differently but the basis is the same: you can't park in a way that impedes a vehicle from entering, exiting, or turning into a driveway.

The Seniors Challenge: Mobility, Access, and Understanding

For older Australians, the driveway parking issue isn't just about convenience—it's often about accessibility and safety. In NSW alone, more than 1.2 million persons are aged 65 and over and 49 per cent have a disability, highlighting how many seniors face mobility challenges that make longer walks to their front door genuinely difficult.

Making parking spaces available just for seniors is more than just a nicety. It's an accommodation that supports ageing safely and with dignity. Some older citizens move slower or tire more easily, even without a formal disability. Having closer access to the places they need to go makes a huge difference.

The challenge becomes more complex when you consider that many seniors may not be aware of recent changes to enforcement. Unlike disability parking, which has clear legal protections, seniors parking isn't governed by national legislation like accessible parking spots are.

They're parking spots—usually close to building entrances—that businesses offer as a courtesy to their older customers.

The Technology Revolution: NSW's New Transparency Measures

Good news for older drivers who value fairness and transparency: starting 1 July 2025, parking officers must leave a physical parking fine or notification of a parking fine on vehicles in NSW. This change, brought in by the NSW Government, ends the practice of 'ticketless' fines that could arrive weeks later in the mail.

The new system requires officers to:

• Leave visible notification on your vehicle (usually under windscreen wipers)
  
• Take photographs of the violation
  
• Make these photos available to vehicle owners
  
• Record reasons if notification couldn't be attached safely

'The NRMA welcomes the end to ticketless parking fines in NSW and commends the NSW Government for listening to motorists and making this commonsense reform,' says NRMA spokesman, Peter Khoury.

'Transparency matters. People deserve to know when and why they're being fined—and to have a fair chance to challenge it if needed.'

Fighting Back: Your Rights and Appeal Options

Don't assume that parking fine is set in stone. According to Revenue NSW data, 23 per cent of challenged parking fines were waived or reduced in 2024—nearly one in four appeals succeeded.

Common grounds for successful appeals include:

• Medical emergencies: Documented evidence of urgent health situations
  
• Signage issues: Unclear, damaged, or incorrectly placed signs
  
• Permit display problems: Valid permits that weren't visible from outside
  
• Technical errors: Incorrect details on the infringement notice

Payment Plans and Financial Assistance

Councils recognise that hefty fines can cause genuine hardship, particularly for seniors on fixed incomes. Most councils offer:

• Payment extensions: Usually 28 days additional time
  
• Payment plans: Breaking large fines into manageable instalments
  
• Concession card holders: Automatic three-month extensions if you have a Commonwealth Government (Centrelink) Pensioner Concession Card, Department of Veterans' Affairs Pensioner Concession Card or Gold Card, or Centrelink Health Care Card

If you're experiencing financial hardship, contact your council immediately. Most councils encourage calling their dedicated numbers to discuss payment options before fines escalate to debt collection agencies.

The Bigger Picture: Why These Laws Exist

While $660 fines might seem harsh, it's worth understanding the reasoning behind driveway parking laws. The law intends to keep public pathways clear and accessible for pedestrians, prams, wheelchairs, and emergency services.

Driveways are considered part of the public road reserve, not private property, which explains why homeowners can be fined for parking across their own driveways.

This seemingly counterintuitive rule ensures emergency services can access properties and maintain consistent enforcement.

For seniors with mobility aids, accessible pathways become even more critical. A car parked partly across a footpath can force someone using a walking frame or wheelchair into potentially dangerous road situations.

Looking Ahead: More Councils May Follow

The Inner West Council's aggressive approach is being watched closely by councils across Australia dealing with similar parking pressures.

With urban density increasing and parking becoming scarcer, expect more councils to adopt stricter enforcement measures.

The Inner West is believed to be the first inner-city council in Australia to introduce such parking measures, but it likely won't be the last.

Councils in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth are already reviewing their parking policies as complaints mount.

For seniors, this means staying informed about local rule changes becomes increasingly important. Council websites, local newspapers, and community newsletters are your best sources for updates about parking policy changes in your area.

What You Can Do Today

Start by checking your local council's current parking rules and fine amounts. Many councils have updated their policies in 2025, with some increasing fines significantly. Create a simple reference sheet for your car's glovebox with key parking rules for areas you visit regularly.

Consider whether you might qualify for a disability parking permit if mobility is becoming challenging. The application process takes time, but the benefits—including longer time limits and access to convenient parking spaces—can make a significant difference to your independence and safety.

Most importantly, remember that parking fines can be challenged if you believe they're unfair. Don't let embarrassment or confusion stop you from appealing—councils would rather resolve issues fairly than engage in lengthy disputes.