Derelict Gold Coast cars target of new law to clean up city’s suburbs

UNREGISTERED and derelict cars will be banned from the front yards of properties on the Gold Coast under a push to rid the suburbs of “eyesores’’. But one local has a furious message for city leaders.

UNREGISTERED and derelict cars will be banned from the front yards of properties on the Gold Coast under a push to rid the suburbs of “eyesores’’ if Robina councillor Hermann Vorster gets his way.

He says community groups and city leaders are fed up with homeowners using front yards and kerbs as their private car lot, clogging streets and “ruining’’ the suburban atmosphere.

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This Cottesloe Drive property at Robina has nine vehicles in its front yard. Picture Glenn Hampson

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But the Gold Coast City Council is currently powerless to order changes.

Cr Vorster says city hall must introduce a new local law to give council staff the power to force non-compliant property owners to clean up their yards and store their cars away from public view.

Cr Vorster said he was open to capping the number of vehicles allowed on properties.

“Residents are at boiling point with a handful of neighbours in my area reporting that some properties have had their front yards more or less become their own wrecking yards,” he said.

Cr Hermann Vorster is most upset.

“We clearly need the power to deal with this significant issue that ratepayers are exposed to as these vehicles invariably are across footpaths, nature strips and kerbs which can become damaged and costly for all of us to repair.”

Cr Vorster hopes to introduce a new local law early next year.

It has been an issue on the Coast for number of years, with residents frequently complaining to city leaders.

Complaints have been made about properties in Robina’s Cottesloe Dr, and Upper Coomera’s Billinghurst Cres, Abraham Rd and Caribou Crt.

Allan Yalven says he can do what he likes in his yard and council can get stuffed. Picture Glenn Hampson

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But the idea has infuriated 73-year-old Robina resident Allan Yalven, who keeps nine cars on the front lawn of his Cottesloe Dr property.

Mr Yalven said he did not care what the council had to say about the vintage cars, which are collected by his grandson.

“It is my property, I own it and I will put what I want on it, even if it’s a thousand cars and it’s nothing to do with them,” he said.

“I pay my rates, they get everything they need and that’s that as far as I am concerned. You can’t tell people what to do on their own property.

“I know there are a lot of cars there but my grandson likes them and that is the way it is. I pay the rates and keep the cars registered and that means I can have them.”

Peter Barrett the President of the Gold Coast Neighbourhood Watch. Picture Mike Batterham

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In a similar case, the council was previously forced to introduce a new local law granting itself power to clean up graffiti on private properties.

Cr Vorster’s bid to act against a build-up of cars on properties and in the street has been backed by Peter Barrett, president of the Gold Coast District Neighbourhood Watch.

“Certainly we would agree with the removal of derelict vehicles, especially when they are unsafe, unsightly and untidy,” he said.

“When people do have a lot of cars on their property it tends to attract vermin and it looks untidy, which detracts from the amenity of the area.

“I would support any method which would remove these health hazards and enforce tidiness.”