Residents of a Brisbane parking area are facing frustration due to a grey Holden Cruze that has been obstructing access to their spaces for over a month. One of the residents, Adam Green, expressed his concerns about the situation, highlighting that the car’s owner appears to be unknown, which has left others unable to use their designated parking spots.
The dilemma stems from the car not being reported stolen, coupled with the absence of “tow away” signage in the area, preventing any legal action to remove the vehicle. Green stated, “It’s illegal for us to remove the car off the property with a tow truck because there was no tow away sign at the property.”
According to the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, individuals can engage accredited tow truck operators for removing vehicles parked on private property. However, this can only occur with the proper agreements in place between the property owner and the towing service. The department also suggested that property owners place adequate signage to inform motorists about parking rules.
Moreover, it was recommended that Green seek independent legal advice before proceeding with any towing arrangements. New reforms introduced in 2018 regulate the towing of unlawfully parked vehicles in defined areas of Queensland, stipulating that towing services must comply with certain conditions.
The Queensland Police reiterated that they only have the authority to tow vehicles if they are reported stolen, involved in a traffic incident, or considered a public hazard. In such cases, police would need to exhaust all options to locate the vehicle owner before incurring any towing actions.
Finally, the Brisbane City Council clarified that it does not hold jurisdiction over vehicles parked on private property, adding an additional layer of complexity to the residents’ predicament. The ongoing situation serves as a reminder of the importance of clear parking regulations and signage to prevent such inconveniences.
In conclusion, without proper signage and legal frameworks, residents are left with limited options to address vehicles that hinder access to their allocated spaces, ultimately leading to frustration in the community.