Unattended Vehicles

Unattended/abandoned vehicles in public spaces

The NSW Government has introduced the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 and regulations that put accountability firmly on those responsible to do the right thing and remove their property quickly from public land.

Owners of vehicles are responsible for making sure they are not left unattended or abandoned on public land for more than 28 days, even if they are registered and parked safely.

Council may notify an owner if their vehicle is causing a safety risk or an obstruction, or if it has been left unattended in one place for too long. This includes boat trailers, other trailers and caravans.

Council’s enforcement officers generally focus on vehicles that are:

  • Unsafe
  • Unregistered
  • Interfering with people using public spaces
  • Being stored on public land, or
  • Not driveable because of their physical condition.

Once notified, the owner must respond and move the vehicle within the following timeframes:

  • If causing an obstruction or safety risk - immediately (or may be taken into possession with no notice on a case by case basis)
  • If left unattended for more than 15 days - if unregistered – 3 days
  • If left unattended for more than 15 days - if registered, but unable to be legally driven (e.g. due to damage) – 3 days
  • If left unattended in one place for more than 28 days - 15 days if registered.

If these timeframes are not met, Council may:

  • Move the vehicle causing a safety risk or an obstruction to a safer place in the same general area, or
  • Take possession of the vehicle and move the vehicle to a place of storage, and
  • Issue a fine.

Fines apply for leaving a vehicle unattended.

Have an issue with an unattended or unregistered vehicle?

Contact Council Rangers on 02 6686 1210 or report it online through Council's Community Portal. 

Seized Vehicles

If an owner does not move an unattended vehicle within the timeframes listed above, Council can take possession of the vehicle and move the vehicle to a place of storage. A fine is also appliable.

Owners are then given 28 days to collect their vehicle. If the vehicle is not collected within 28 days, a further fine applies and Council can then arrange for the vehicle to be appropriately destroyed or disposed of.

Please refer to Council’s Fees and Charges for the fees that are payable before the vehicle will be released.

 

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