Cumberland Council clamps down on illegally parked trucks
Truck drivers in western Sydney are flouting rules despite being slapped with more than 1700 fines over the past six months.
Parramatta
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Truck drivers are removing their numberplates overnight to avoid fines for parking illegally in the Cumberland council area.
Fed up residents have flooded the council with more than 540 complaints in the past six months.
Black spots include Toongabbie Rd, Rawson Rd at Guildford and Steel St at South Granville but Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou said the problem was across the region.
“I could sit down here for half an hour and pinpoint them all,’’ he said.
“The problem is they’re parking them and going away for the weekend. Truck drivers don’t reside in the area.’’
Cr Christou said many of the complaints were over trucks parked in residential streets for extended periods.
Under the rules, the driver of a heavy vehicle must not stop on a residential road for longer than one hour or they will incur a $114 fine.
In the past six months, the council has issued 1722 fines in response to complaints and
as part of proactive monitoring activities.
“The message is simple — if you operate a large or heavy truck, residents don’t want
you parking in front of their home,” Cr Christou said.
“Many of our streets are already gridlocked with traffic and it’s not acceptable that a
truck that weighs several tonnes or is several metres long, should occupy valuable real estate and take up several car spaces.
“It’s interfering with a resident’s right to peace and quiet and it’s posing a safety risk to pedestrians and other drivers using these streets.”
Residents can report any incidents to the council on 8757 9000.
Parking rules apply to vehicles 4500kg and 7.5m or longer.
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