Parking on the nature strip causes feud between council and neighbours

Residents of this narrow, multi-way street say a “useless” law has forced them into a nonsensical arrangement or risk a $275 fine.

For an inconsequential piece of lawn, nature strips can cause an disproportionate amount of tension.

Residents on Inverall Ave in the southwest Sydney of suburb Hinchinbrook have been forced to park on the street’s nature strip, in order to allow traffic to freely pass through the narrow four lane road.

Now they claim they’re being unfairly targeted by their local council with threats of $275 fines, with Liverpool City Council giving residents a seven-day grace period before they start issuing fines.

Speaking to A Current Affair, one resident Mario (who’s been parking on the street’s nature strip for six years) said the $275 fine was “useless” and didn’t help fix the problem.

“The only thing I can think of is revenue, to tell you the truth. How can you afford $275 every time you come home from work?,” he said.

“Can you imagine if someone needs a fire engine down the street? What do you do, let the house burn?”

Inverall Ave residents are not happy with the council’s response. Picture: Channel 9/ A Current Affair

Measuring the street on the episode, having two cars parked on either side of the road means only 2.4 metres is left for the multi-way traffic that occupies the street.

Another neighbour said she often has issues driving her car down the street, which means she’s forced to ask her neighbours for help.

“When you can’t get through, you have to knock on neighbour’s doors and ask, ‘Can you move you car?’ and it’s a real pain,” she said.

Cars are sometimes close to touching when they attempt to squeeze in between two parked cars. Picture: Channel 9/ A Current Affair

While news.com.au has reached out to Liverpool City Council for comment, a spokesman told A Current Affair the instances of illegal parked vehicles was creating safety issues for residents, however, to date they’ve only issued warning letter in lieu of on the spot fines.

“Council did not issue on the spot fines at this point in time, choosing to issue warning letters to residents providing ample notice to a cease parking illegally,” they said.

“Council acknowledges this is a narrow street, however, parking on the nature strip is illegal under NSW legislation.

According to NSW road rule number 197, it is strictly illegal to park a vehicle on the nature strip between the road and pedestrian footpath, unless it’s on an area that’s specifically intended for vehicle parking.

While the nature strip is actually owned by the local council, most councils allow homeowners to design and plant additional flowers and foliage on their allotted strip of land. It’s also the responsibility of the owners or tenants to maintain the upkeep of the area.

The rule goes both ways though.

The Queensland man wanted to know if he was in the wrong for this parking arrangement. Picture: Facebook.

In January this year, an online debate erupted between two Queenslanders after a man asked if he was wrong by parking his car on the lawn-covered nature strip beyond the front of his property. He was prompted to ask after he had “received two letters on my car regarding the positioning of my parking,” he wrote in the community Facebook page.

His post sparked a range of reactions online, with dozens of locals claiming the man was parking illegally and obstructing pedestrians.

“Your car is on the nature strip, which you cannot park on. Also looks like you’re encroaching on your neighbour’s property line which would annoy me too,” wrote one woman.

“You’re parked illegally. Anything past the mailbox is council land and you’re not allowed to park on the nature strip,” added another.