Reports of illegally parked cars soar across Melbourne

The “selfish” parking habits of Melburnians have been exposed, with pictures showing drivers abandoning their cars across driveways or taking up multiple parking spots.

Reports of badly and illegally parked vehicles have soared across Victoria. Picture: Snap Send Solve

Reports of illegally parked vehicles have soared across Victoria, with residents making more than 60,000 complaints to their councils in the past 12 months.

Frustrated Melburnians are reporting illegally parked cars in disabled spots and vehicles blocking residential driveways and footpaths.

New data from reporting app Snap Send Solve revealed complaints concerning badly parked cars surged by 48 per cent in the past year – from 42,710 in the 12 months to February 2023, to 63,303 in the 12 months to February 2024.

Residents have made more than 60,000 complaints to their councils in the past 12 months. Picture: Snap Send Solve

Multiple vehicles blocking a residential footpath. Picture: Snap Send Solve

A car parked on a residential nature strip. Picture: Snap Send Solve

The Victorian region with the highest number of reports in the most recent 12 month period was the south, with a total of 22,857.

This was followed by suburbs in Melbourne’s west (13,097), north (11,227), east (9309) and then regional Victoria (6813).

Snap Send Solve founder Danny Gorog said illegal parking disrupts traffic flow and creates safety hazards for children and those with disabilities.

“(It also) diminishes the overall quality of streets and roads in our communities, all of which can be frustrating for residents,” he said.

A ute parked across three parking spaces, one of which was a disabled spot. Picture: Supplied

A diesel-powered Nissan Navara blocking an electric vehicle charging station in Mornington.

“Snap Send Solve users have reported a whole range of parking mistakes from obstructing driveways and footpaths, to illegal parking in disabled parking spots.

“Double parking and parking in no-parking zones are also issues we see. There are also a large number of reports of cars abandoned, with expired registrations and broken glass being top concerns.”

Mr Gorog said the surge in illegal parking can be attributed to Melbourne’s rapid population growth which has intensified competition for parking spaces.

“At the same time as urban planners (are) reducing the number of spots available for cars,” he said.

“Overlaid is the rise of ride-sharing services, e-scooters, and growth in online shopping couriers that increase the pressure on available parking.”

A van taking up four parking bays. Picture: Supplied

Mr Gorog said the surge in illegal parking can be attributed to the city’s population growth. Picture: Snap Send Solve

Mr Gorog said total reports recorded to the app grew by 29 per cent over the past year, accounting for part of the growth.

Port Phillip Council mayor Heather Cunsolo said the council received 10,600 reports of illegally parked vehicles in the last 12 months – a 30 per cent increase from the previous year.

“The most common reports submitted in relation to illegally parked vehicles include ‘overstaying time restrictions in residential areas’, ‘overstaying time restrictions in commercial areas’ then ‘parked in a resident permit zone without a visible permit’ and ‘parked across my driveway’,” she said.

The City of Melbourne also received 2835 reports of parking issues in the past three months alone.

Drivers caught parking in a disabled spot without a permit can be slapped with a $192 fine.

Motorists parked outside the perimeter of a parking bay can also be fined $38.