Allure owners from left, Russell Butler and Andrew Barnett, in the driveway outside their business.
Camera IconAllure owners from left, Russell Butler and Andrew Barnett, in the driveway outside their business. Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

City issues fine for parking in driveway

Anne Gartner, Guardian ExpressEastern Reporter

Allure owners Andrew Barnett and Russell Butler say they have used their warehouse driveway to load and unload goods for the past seven years.

They have also used the bay to park their vehicle.

But a recent complaint received by City of Vincent about a vehicle blocking the footpath prompted a ranger to issue a parking fine.

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Vincent chief executive John Giorgi said the ranger initially thought the vehicle was blocking a loading zone, as indicated by words stencilled illegally onto the road by Mr Barnett, and issued an infringement accordingly.

He said the fine was withdrawn as it cited an incorrect clause that the area was a loading bay, and no loading was being done, when in fact the area was a no stopping site.

Mr Giorgi said the restrictions were in place because that driveway was not big enough to accommodate a parked vehicle without it infringing on the pathway or no stopping zone.

He said rangers would be lenient if loading was occurring.

‘The City needs to be consistent in enforcement of the local law, so where a vehicle is parked partially in a no stopping area, whether or not the vehicle is owned by the adjacent occupier, rangers are expected to deal with it,’ he said.

‘If the City permits him [Mr Barnett] to park illegally in this space, it can not then enforce the restrictions if someone not related to the property does so at a later date.’

Mr Barnett said these restrictions would force him into an unacceptable situation.

‘If we don’t park there, generally someone else will and block our warehouse,’ he said.

Mr Barnett said with 18 months to go on the business’ lease; the issue may force them to leave.

Mr Giorgi said businesses that need access to parking bays could buy commercial parking permits at $1500 per year.