Council still plagued by derelict cars

Frustrated City workers are continuing to battle with backpackers selling and leaving their cars derelict on Sydney’s streets.

A City of Sydney spokesperson said rangers were visiting Victoria Street in Potts Point daily as the number of backpacker vehicles can increase during the summer periods, particularly on the weekends and during daylight hours.

“The City is working with Kings Cross police on joint operations and rangers patrol daily,” she said.

“Council and police also have the power to tow illegally parked vehicles from this area.”

Under current NSW government legislation, Council has no power to prevent backpackers from selling their vehicles on the street or moving and re-parking in another part of the street.

The spokesperson said the City has asked the Roads Minister to amend legislation to allow Councils to manage the sale of vehicles on roads.

“A Local Government Act 1919 Ordinance (No 66 of 1991) made it an offence to ‘offer vehicles for sale on certain public roads,’” she said.

However this was removed with the introduction of the Local Government Act 1993.”

French-Canadian backpacker Ettiene said he had bought and sold a van and then car on Victoria street.

“There are people there all the time and you know you can get a car for cash pretty easily,” he said.

Ettiene told City News he had been living in his car with another backpacker for the last 6 months and planned to leave it at the international airport when he left the country last Sunday.

“I couldn’t get anyone to buy it because it doesn’t have registration,” he said.

“So I will leave it in the car park there. I know some people just leave it in the street but I think the car park is better.”

Sydney Council responded last year to complaints of backpackers illegally living out of their cars and dumping vehicles by creating a number of tow-away zones around Kings Cross.

City of Sydney Director of City Operations Garry Harding made a statement during the operation.

“The City welcomes backpackers and international visitors and recognises their contribution to the character and economy of the City,” he said.

“However, we have a responsibility to ensure that they do not impact adversely on residents, businesses and the amenity of the area.”

A police spokesperson said abandoned vehicles are primarily a council issue but police may be called by a member of the public to attend abandoned vehicles.

If this happens, police will attend and assess the vehicle, seeing if it is registered, its condition etc and pretty much determine if the vehicle is actually abandoned.

If it appears abandoned, they will make try to make enquiries with the owner. If the vehicle is in fact abandoned they will notify the council who will attend to the vehicle.