Neighborhood Drama Alert: Who's Leaving Angry Notes on Cars and Why They're Fed Up!

In the quiet streets of our suburbs, a storm has been brewing, and it's all about parking. It seems that the convenience of modern travel and the proximity to airports have led to an unexpected side effect: residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with drivers who use their streets as personal long-term parking lots.


The issue came to a head recently in Nundah, a suburb just a stone's throw from Brisbane Airport, where an incensed local took matters into their own hands. In a bold move, this parking vigilante plastered several cars with furious notes, chastising the owners for their inconsiderate parking habits.


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A parked car with a long message piqued the attention of community members. Image Credit: Facebook


The notes, which were as scathing as they were sarcastic, read: 'I’m a selfish f***. I park my car in front of other people’s houses and then catch an Uber to the airport. I don’t give a toss that the people who live here now have to park further from their homes – I saved a few bucks on parking and I don’t care about other people.' The author didn't hold back, branding these motorists as 'self-centred' and poor parkers.


This isn't an isolated incident. Across our nation's cities, similar stories have emerged, with residents in Melbourne and Sydney going to extreme lengths, such as placing illegal orange traffic cones, to reserve parking spots in front of their homes. Others have taken to reporting such behavior to authorities.

Urban planning expert Dr David Mepham has weighed in on the issue, explaining that the lack of parking in many residential streets has made Aussies 'aggressively territorial about 'their' parking spaces.' He notes that as the number and size of cars have increased with the population, the amount of urban space has decreased, leading to a parking crunch.

Dr Mepham, author of Rethinking Parking: Planning and Urban Design Perspective, told Yahoo News that 'People tend to become very emotional about parking.' He added, 'We often do feel entitled to 'cheap, easy' parking, and are conveniently blind to the consequences of our own behavior. People can become selfish, silly, and aggressive about entitlement. It’s bullying, there’s no two ways about it.'


The problem is exacerbated by the exorbitant parking fees at private car parks, particularly in Brisbane CBD, which now boasts the highest casual parking rate among Australian capital cities. With a full day costing nearly $80, it's no wonder drivers are seeking alternatives, even if it means inconveniencing residents.

Dr Mepham suggests that there is no 'magic solution' to the parking issues without regulations. He recommends that residents who are affected should raise the issue with their local council and ask for a parking study to propose regulation of parking in the area. However, he warns that once regulations are in place, they need to be enforced, which costs money and can lead to complaints about the regulations themselves.

The debate over this parking predicament has spilled over onto social media, with opinions divided. Some criticize the note-leaver's 'aggressive behavior,' while others sympathize with the frustration of not being able to park near their homes due to the actions of inconsiderate drivers.


A Brisbane City Council spokesperson stated that they had received one complaint this year about extended parking in the two suburban streets mentioned in the post. While it's not illegal to park in residential streets without restrictions, unless the car is disobeying other road rules, the frustration for residents is palpable.

As we navigate the complexities of urban living, it's clear that the issue of parking is more than just about finding a spot—it's about respect, community, and finding a balance between personal convenience and the rights of others.
Key Takeaways

  • An unknown individual in Nundah, Brisbane, has been leaving aggressive notes on cars parked in residential streets by drivers who allegedly take an Uber to the airport to save on parking fees.
  • Urban planning expert Dr David Mepham suggests that the lack of parking combined with increased population and vehicle sizes has led to territorial behaviour over parking spaces.
  • There is a call for local councils to study parking problems and potentially regulate parking in affected areas, but enforcement would come with costs and likely complaints from residents.
  • While residents express annoyance over the parking behaviours, Brisbane City Council confirms that extended parking on unrestricted residential streets is not illegal unless other road rules are breached.
So, dear readers, have you encountered similar parking woes in your neighborhood? Have you ever felt the urge to leave a strongly-worded note on a windscreen, or have you been on the receiving end of one? Share your stories and thoughts with us in the comments below. Let's discuss the etiquette of urban parking and how we can all contribute to a more harmonious community.
 
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The vigilante who left a message like that is a total moron. This person is only belittling themself.

In the particular council area they live in, are there any signs saying NO LONG TERM PARKING? If not, get off your fat arse and let council know. More revenue for them.
 
I have done something similar to this in the past. If I was flying interstate for the weekend, I would drive to Tempe, park my car on the road side and take the train to the Sydney Domestic terminal. I would make sure I was parked legally. So apart from the airport surcharge on the train I would save parking fees.
 
Why do people keep thinking that a public street should be reserved for them? The selfish, foolish person here is the one who needs to put their car in front of their house instead of investing in a good garage. Or driveway to fix the problem
 
my neighbour is a pain, he parks smack in the middle of my frontage and stops a second car parking. He leaves his frontage free. When he has trades eg mowing, pool, renovation etc they all park in fromt of mine endnote his either. One guy blocked my drive exit, I went spoke so he at in the truck revving whilst he waited for me to leave and then drove back. If I was going shopping instead of to work I would have complained agin and contacted council. HIs lawn guy parks at my front and drops trailer gate down blocking off the fire hydrant pole which is meant to have 1m clearance. The day I can catch him I will tell him. But I've never left a note.
And when I moved in 12 years ago, several neighbours warned me about him and not to challenge- he is spiteful, "shoots first, but doesn't ask after."
 
my neighbour is a pain, he parks smack in the middle of my frontage and stops a second car parking. He leaves his frontage free. When he has trades eg mowing, pool, renovation etc they all park in fromt of mine endnote his either. One guy blocked my drive exit, I went spoke so he at in the truck revving whilst he waited for me to leave and then drove back. If I was going shopping instead of to work I would have complained agin and contacted council. HIs lawn guy parks at my front and drops trailer gate down blocking off the fire hydrant pole which is meant to have 1m clearance. The day I can catch him I will tell him. But I've never left a note.
And when I moved in 12 years ago, several neighbours warned me about him and not to challenge- he is spiteful, "shoots first, but doesn't ask after."
I share your pain. I am in a similar predicament with my next-door neighbour.
 
ILLEGAL parking I would report, but the roadway in front of our homes IS NOT ours to claim for our own parking. It is council and transport authority property and for use of any and all cars. However, people seem to think it is ‘solely’ for their use if it is in front of their homes. NOT SO, sorry. Leaving abusive notes is not the way to go, though, just try respectful and non-abuse which should be one’s first approach.
 
I share your pain. I am in a similar predicament with my next-door neighbour.
doesn't stop there- he waters agains the fence, both sides from 11pm through 2 am during summer, and as its tin nothing stops both sides of him being woken up. Or he bangs around on the garage. If he hears my screen door bang he's out in a flash to see what I'm doing.
 
In the 60s and 70s, the cops used pink slips as parking tickets, which were placed under the wipers. Remember there were no cameras tgen, so tickets were handed out on a regular basis.
A good friend made up printed notes on a similar pink paper, the same size. On it was printed: something to the effect of:

NO,
this is NOT a parking ticket, but I sure wish it WAS!
Next time DO NOT:

O BLOCK ME IN

O PARK SO CLOSE
O HOG 2 PARKING SPOTS
O PARK IN A RESERVED SPOT
O PARK ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
O OTHER:.........................................
 
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As we have a school at the back of our house we have parents parking out front of our house over the driveway, blocking our bins sometimes and stopping the bins from being emptied.
It can become frustrating. I would never dream of being aggressive and leaving fowl mouth notes. Just no need. The world has become such an angry place over the most silly things. When you look at the bigger picture if that is all people have to get frustrated about they are lucky.
Kind regards to all Vicki
 
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Reactions: mOiOz
Sorry but I'm with the letter writer. If you an afford to fly out for a break or work then you can afford long term parking at the airport. Why should the letter writers family have to park kilometres away and either walk or take an Uber because of not being able to park in front of their relatives home. Garbage collection would also be an issue for the residents with cars continuing to park there for days on end.
 
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