The one thing Aussies complain about most

The number of Aussies dobbing in neighbours and strangers has surged massively this year and there’s one issue that really grinds their gears.

The number of Aussies dobbing in neighbours and strangers for illegal parking surged by 50 per cent in some places this year, according to new data from an online reporting platform.

Snap Send Solve is used by councils and businesses across the country to allow residents to flag issues ranging from pot holes to graffiti and abandoned trolleys, with more than 1.35 million reports made in total.

One of the big growth areas on the app this year – with more than 193,000 complaints – has been Australians outing motorists for parking illegally.

Illegal parking has been a big concern for Australians in 2024. Picture: Supplied

Its 2024 data shows Victorians are the most active in reporting bad parkers and made 79,735 complaints – 32 per cent more than 2023 – with NSW coming second at 66,293 (up 33 per cent).

Queenslanders made 24,486 reports, an increase of 56 per cent, and West Australians upped parking complaints by 47 per cent to 15,027.

Danny Gorog, the chief executive and founder of Snap Send Solve said the app “empowered” locals and led to immediate action by directing concerns directly to authorities.

“Illegal parking continues to be a growing frustration across Australia, with issues like blocked driveways, cars parked in no-standing zones, faulty parking machines and vehicles overstaying time limits creating daily challenges for residents, businesses, and councils alike,” he said.

The number of parking complaints rose in each state. Picture: Supplied

There was a 35 per cent increase across all complaint areas this year. Picture: Supplied

In the remaining states, South Australia had 5,429 reports (up 25 per cent) and Tasmania

1772 – a year-on-year increase of 36 per cent.

The ACT had only 600 parking complaints, but that also represented a 50 per cent rise.

Images captured by the app show vehicles parked over driveways, across footpaths and taking up multiple spots in car parks.

Other issues that have been high on the agenda for Aussies in 2024 include damaged roads and streetlights, graffiti and illegal dumping.

Mr Gorog said his idea for the platform came a decade ago when he took his young son to a local playground only to find the swing was broken.

It is now connected to about 850 “solvers” like councils and shopping centres, and has experienced a 35 per cent increase in use this year.

Snap Send Solve boss Danny Gorog said the app empowered locals. Picture: Supplied

“More people are taking care in their communities and Snap Send Solve is a tool that empowers the community to do something about it,” Mr Gorog said.

Adelaide local Jodi White is actively involved in community groups and an avid user of Snap Send Solve, saying it gives her an avenue to fix issues “rather than whinge” about them.

“We see things that councils would not be at all aware of,” she said.

“We can assist the council by being the boots on the ground and make their job easier, and make our community safer and more aesthetically pleasing to live in.”

Illegal dumping and rubbish piles have been a big complaint area. Picture: Supplied

Ms White said the app had become her “new Pokemon Go” when she is out an about, adding it could be a good way of getting children involved in the community.

“Before you got to catch ‘em all, try and get all of the Pokemon,” she said.

“Whereas now I look at ‘ooh I haven’t had a snap for a water leak yet, let’s see if I can find one of those’.”

The app’s founder said he expected 1.5 million reports to be made on the app by the end of 2024, saying it had enjoyed a “very strong word of mouth” spread thanks to an 89 per cent solve rate across all reports within three weeks.

“People are always talking about councils and issues they’re having with public infrastructure and this is one of those apps where it’s like ‘oh my god I just used it and got it fixed’,” he said.

“Basically nine out of 10 issues get solved, which is unbelievably powerful.”

Originally published as The one thing Aussies complain about most