Homeowner faces outrageous $640 fine for common parking mistake
- Replies 26
In a tale that might strike a chord with many Australian homeowners, a man from Blue Haven on the NSW Central Coast has been slapped with a hefty $640 fine for what he considered a harmless and practical parking decision.
Craig, the homeowner in question, was simply trying to be considerate by moving his and his visiting mother-in-law's cars to the nature strip outside his neighbour's house while he mowed his lawn.
He had been parking on the grass for years without issue, but suddenly, this common act became a costly mistake.
Craig had parked the cars on the nature strip for just a couple of hours and had even obtained his neighbour's permission beforehand.
However, a council ranger passing by didn't see the situation with the same neighbourly understanding and issued $320 fines for each vehicle parked on the nature strip.
The frustration Craig felt was palpable as he recounted the incident.
'I understand it is council land, but the way I see it, if the neighbour's mowing the lawn, then it's his land,' he said.
'If he doesn’t have an issue, I don’t know why they've given out a fine. I’m dirty about the whole thing.'
Craig's appeal to revoke the fines was rejected, leaving him feeling that the fines were nothing more than 'dirty revenue raising.'
The absence of signs prohibiting parking on the grass compounded his irritation, as did the fact that the quiet residential street didn't have a footpath, making the nature strip seem like an unused space perfect for temporary parking.
The incident sparked debate among locals online, with opinions divided.
Some sympathised with Craig, pointing out the irony of being expected to maintain the council-owned strip but not being allowed to park on it.
Others, however, highlighted the importance of keeping the strip clear for pedestrian safety, regardless of whether a formal footpath exists.
This issue is separate from Craig's neighbourhood.
Across Australia, there's been a notable uptick in reports of illegal parking, with the reporting app Snap Send Solve noting significant surges in every state and territory.
Parking on driveways and across footpaths is not just a nuisance; it poses real dangers to pedestrians, including those with wheelchairs or prams, and disrupts essential foot traffic pathways.
Illegal parking reports have surged across Australia, with significant increases reported in various states:
New South Wales saw a 37 per cent rise, the Australian Capital Territory experienced a 56 per cent jump, and Queensland reported a 53 per cent increase.
Tasmania followed closely with a 42 per cent rise, while Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia recorded increases of 33 per cent, 34 per cent, and 41 per cent, respectively.
The Northern Territory had the smallest increase at 17 per cent.
When approached for comment, the Central Coast Council stated that its parking officers and rangers exercise discretion when responding to alleged parking offences.
In other news, nearly 90 motorists in Graceville, Brisbane, were fined $154 each for parking perpendicular to the kerb, against council rules.
The local community argues that angled parking allows for more cars in the busy area and has been safely practised for decades. You can read more about it here.
Have you ever been fined for parking on a nature strip or encountered similar issues in your area? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
Craig, the homeowner in question, was simply trying to be considerate by moving his and his visiting mother-in-law's cars to the nature strip outside his neighbour's house while he mowed his lawn.
He had been parking on the grass for years without issue, but suddenly, this common act became a costly mistake.
Craig had parked the cars on the nature strip for just a couple of hours and had even obtained his neighbour's permission beforehand.
However, a council ranger passing by didn't see the situation with the same neighbourly understanding and issued $320 fines for each vehicle parked on the nature strip.
The frustration Craig felt was palpable as he recounted the incident.
A driver and his mother-in-law were fined $320 each for parking on the nature strip in Blue Haven. Credit: Shutterstock
'I understand it is council land, but the way I see it, if the neighbour's mowing the lawn, then it's his land,' he said.
'If he doesn’t have an issue, I don’t know why they've given out a fine. I’m dirty about the whole thing.'
Craig's appeal to revoke the fines was rejected, leaving him feeling that the fines were nothing more than 'dirty revenue raising.'
The absence of signs prohibiting parking on the grass compounded his irritation, as did the fact that the quiet residential street didn't have a footpath, making the nature strip seem like an unused space perfect for temporary parking.
The incident sparked debate among locals online, with opinions divided.
Some sympathised with Craig, pointing out the irony of being expected to maintain the council-owned strip but not being allowed to park on it.
Others, however, highlighted the importance of keeping the strip clear for pedestrian safety, regardless of whether a formal footpath exists.
This issue is separate from Craig's neighbourhood.
Across Australia, there's been a notable uptick in reports of illegal parking, with the reporting app Snap Send Solve noting significant surges in every state and territory.
Parking on driveways and across footpaths is not just a nuisance; it poses real dangers to pedestrians, including those with wheelchairs or prams, and disrupts essential foot traffic pathways.
Illegal parking reports have surged across Australia, with significant increases reported in various states:
New South Wales saw a 37 per cent rise, the Australian Capital Territory experienced a 56 per cent jump, and Queensland reported a 53 per cent increase.
Tasmania followed closely with a 42 per cent rise, while Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia recorded increases of 33 per cent, 34 per cent, and 41 per cent, respectively.
The Northern Territory had the smallest increase at 17 per cent.
When approached for comment, the Central Coast Council stated that its parking officers and rangers exercise discretion when responding to alleged parking offences.
In other news, nearly 90 motorists in Graceville, Brisbane, were fined $154 each for parking perpendicular to the kerb, against council rules.
The local community argues that angled parking allows for more cars in the busy area and has been safely practised for decades. You can read more about it here.
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