1 November 2011

Parking on the Nature Strip along Majura Avenue

| richardg
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majura avenue

I have lived on Majura Avenue for over 30 years. Many Majura Avenue dwellers are now being hounded by the traffic authorities to stop parking on their own nature strips.

This is a long standing problem which has now been exacerbated by: the increasing and inappropriate use of Majura Avenue as an arterial road; the development of single-bedroom units with inadequate provision for parking for guests, delivery vehicles, etc; and a lack of flexibility in the rules for the use of nature strips.

To set the scene, the nature strips along Majura Avenue are between six and eight metres wide. Although there are signs prohibiting stopping northbound along Majura Avenue between Wakefield Avenue and the first bus stop, there are none prohibiting parking between that bus stop and Cowper Street. Residents are therefore quite entitled to park on the roadway, restricting Majura Avenue to one-lane northbound – I would imagine that the evening peak hour traffic would be backed up along Limestone Avenue to the Australian War Memorial!

In 2004, when I was warned against leaving my car on the nature strip outside my house, I responded in writing, asking what the difference is between my getting approval to construct a semi-permanent garden on my nature strip and my (or others) occasionally parking there? I also asked whether the ACT Road Transport Authority, as it then was, would prefer me to park on the roadway? I also pointed out that eliminating residents’ current right to park on the roadway should also involve a reduction in our rates to reflect the loss of a current amenity.

The result was a vacuous letter from the traffic authorities about creating gardens on nature strips, and the complete cessation of further action to implement any ban on parking on nature strips along Majura Avenue.

There was a subsequent attempt a couple of years ago to warn me about parking outside my home; when I contacted the traffic authorities to ask if the policy had changed, I was assured that my notice was a mistake and that they had been targetting the next door house. (Hardly good policy implementation but good enough for my personal purposes!)

Now, with the building of units along Majura Avenue, it has all started again. Not only residents but their guests, delivery vehicles and tradespeople are presumably required to park on the roadway.

One hopes we can line up one of the Opposition MLAs so that if the traffic authorities attempt to gazette a parking ban and erect No Parking signs, a motion of disallowance of the legislative instrument can be lodged immediately, to allow time for yet another inquiry into the chaos that passes for urban planning in North Canberra.


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I saw a grey PT cruiser that has been parked on the nature strip in front of the new units on Majura Avenue and collecting multiple tickets getting towed this morning.

Of course I don’t know if it was getting towed because it was broken down and that’s why it was there and getting tickets, or because it was getting multiple tickets and haddn’t been moved.

(actually it was a flat bed loader but you know what I mean

Innovation said :

IMO all vehicles etc parked on nature strips should be booked without warning. They cause visual ostructions to driveways and intersections (for vehicles AND pedestrians, stop pedestrians from seeking refuge off the road, wreck the vegetation and are a very quick way to bring down the reputation/value of the street.

Assuming basic maintenance is done, the people who denude their entire front yard and “landscape” it in red gravel or bare dirt or dead grass (with or without one of those round shrubs that were popular in the 50s) do more to ruin the streetscape than someone parking a car on the nature strip in front of some greenery will ever do. Although, if it’s a white Commodore…

anyone here got a car parked up their arse?

richardg said :

that is “zero” – provision for visitor, delivery or tradespeople parking.

how do people living in the city survive? :/ Seriously, this is not the council’s problem, but the building designers who sacrifice practicality for selling more rooms. Also, please google “word wrap”

Innovation said :

IMO all vehicles etc parked on nature strips should be booked without warning. They cause visual ostructions to driveways and intersections (for vehicles AND pedestrians, stop pedestrians from seeking refuge off the road, wreck the vegetation and are a very quick way to bring down the reputation/value of the street..

Well, most of those arise from parking on the road as well.

And, really, saying ‘suck it up because you get increased land value’ is of little benefit if, you know, this is your home and you just want to live there and not move. In that situation all that you get is (a) higher rates and (b) a warm fuzzy feeling that your beneficiaries will be happy after you die.

richardg said :

Alas, no one seems to know what the “P” in ACTPLA really
stands for!

Pedantry.
Or to be pedantic, the ACT Pedantic Legalistic Authority.

Sgt Bungers’ suggestion of making the road a clearway during peak
hours seems like a good one. It might require running a tow truck
along the road at about 4.10 pm daily to remove recalcitrants at first.

Vehicles parked on nature strips are no more a visual hazard than
vehicles parked (legally) on roadways.

One of the problems for the current crop of unit developments along Majura Avenue is that there is absolutely no – that is “zero” – provision for visitor, delivery or tradespeople parking.

The planning issue could have been solved had ACTPLA, when approving
developments along Majura Avenue, required developers to install
parking bays into the wide nature strips. Those could have been made
two-hour limits, Monday to Friday, and have parking meters to generate
income for the ACT and deter anyone thinking of leaving their vehicles
there all day. Alas, no one seems to know what the “P” in ACTPLA really
stands for!

IMO all vehicles etc parked on nature strips should be booked without warning. They cause visual ostructions to driveways and intersections (for vehicles AND pedestrians, stop pedestrians from seeking refuge off the road, wreck the vegetation and are a very quick way to bring down the reputation/value of the street.

Those of you who have too many vehicles, boats caravans etc that you can’t legally park on your own land or on the street should really consider other options. Make room on your land, rationalise your vehicles or park/store your vehicles elsewhere. (Seriously #19Rusalka was there ever a time when all four cars were absolutely necessary simultaneously?). Visitors either park legally on the block or learn to walk from a nearby legal parking area. Even disabled visitors possibly could usually be catered for by being dropped off or the homeowner moving one or more of their own vehicles temporarily.

I can understand those people that are cranky because immediately adjacent on street parking is, or becomes, restricted but that is the price of living in an increasingly central/dense area. Your land values are steadily increasing at a far greater rate than any loss of amenity from losing any on street parking.

If the ACT Gov’t doesn’t start booking vehicles automatically, where does it stop? Eg, “I have six cars, a boat, two trailers and a caravan and parking for my one bedroom flat can’t accomodate them all?”

I know that temporary approvals can be obtained but I regularly see storage containers, multitudes of cars, trailers, boats and caravans parked on nature strips for months at a time and I doubt that any of them have any approval.

luther_bendross8:57 am 02 Nov 11

Sgt.Bungers said :

My suggestions, in order of cost 🙂

Solution 1: …

Solution 2: …

Solution 3: …

Solution 4: ..

What the hell man!? This site isn’t about logical solutions, it’s about opinions, slagging off bogans and general cynicism!

To the OP’s issue: this issue must be looked at around your area. The Limestone-Majura-Cowper run was never designed to be an arterial but now it is, so ACT Govt. needs to change the way they operate. There is really plenty of place for parking on that verge, it’s not as if those strips are Floriade.

If your car is insured and you can legally park on the road, then do it. Or, if you can illegally park on the nature-strip then do that and don’t complain when you get a ticket.

It’s like those who get “caught by revenue-raising speed cameras”… No there’s no conspiracy or revenue-raising, you were speeding – pay the damned fine and get over yourself. (With the exception of the insane 80kmh speed limits on the GDE – that one needs fixing).

Gungahlin Al said :

“Nature strip” – such a cute Canberra-ism for what the rest of Australia calls a verge.

Although…the way some people maintain (or not) theirs, it does seem to be reverting to nature.

Always called that in Sydney, and I’m pretty sure in Melbourne too.

thy_dungeonman10:44 pm 01 Nov 11

I’m not sure about the actual laws or whether they differ between suburbs but here in waramanga he have no footpaths (although the roads are a quieter and have a sloped gutter) and we put gravel down over our “verge” where the only government property is a streetlight and we use this are to park without hassle. I think the reason they may not want you to park in your area is to maintain the amenity (of course without them spending any money, only making it through fines) of the street-scape by keeping the grass and trees alive.

From the photo it looks like there is plenty of room in front yards to add in extra gravel or concrete parking area if you want, it might preclude having a nice garden but if you own a number of cars then it’s really a choice you make. The only problem I have is when people block the path with their parking either on the nature strip or the driveway.

I also wish the government would fine people who park on the nature reserve (this is actual parkland) near my house, of course most of those people are government contractors landscaping one area as they destroy another with their utes.

easy solution – develop the nature strips and build dwellings for the vertically challenged among us, who don’t take up as much room as the rest of us big’uns. everything else is being developed around that area, so it will just blend in and in another 30 years time they won’t believe you when you tell of this ‘parking’ mallarky that so vexes you now..!

Clearly, the solution is beer.

AFC, just a short stagger away. But be sure to sign up, at least.

Doesn’t really get to the point I know but what else for it. Come on, you’re practically in town. Sure it may not be as safe as it used to be, demographics changing and what not, but hey you bought into the VIBRANT city bs, well here it is, mod cons and all.

My understanding was that parking on the nature strip ends up killing the street trees because the soil gets compressed. Maybe a tree-loving neighbour has made a complaint recently?

ThatUniStudent7:21 pm 01 Nov 11

My mate lives in one of those houses along there. He’s always having to put up with the idiots in that photo with their two cars on the lawn. There’s normally 2-3 cars there most of the time, and last time he checked about 4 months ago one of them wasn’t registered. Given that it is illegal to park on the median strip, they’re not even supposed to be there. But you know what? For the sake of neighbourhood peace he ignores it. He figures if that’s the worst problem he has, then he’s doing pretty well. Mind you his dad grumbles like an old fart about it. Probably because he’s an old fart.

Gungahlin Al said :

“Nature strip” – such a cute Canberra-ism for what the rest of Australia calls a verge.

Although…the way some people maintain (or not) theirs, it does seem to be reverting to nature.

In Melbourne we always called them nature strips too.

Chop71 said :

suck it up princess.

You choose to live there, you choose to own a car, you can also choose where you park it.
Now I see YOU have 2 choices. Move your car or get a ticket.

Of course, 30 years ago this wasn’t actually an issue. Basically your argument is that if you choose to live in a house, and then conditions change due to government action, you should still suck it up. Rather than, you know, deal with it in a manner that really doesn’t cause too many problems.

A lot of inner North houses have garages in the back yard with a single lane entrance. Anyone with two cars either does the car shuffle or parks on the street. Of course, everyone parks on the street and, as a result, trucks or even some large cars cant get through. Naturally this is a far more preferable way of doing things than just allowing people to park on the nature strip.

Holden Caulfield4:13 pm 01 Nov 11

The nature strips on Majura Ave are pretty big, too, which certainly helps negate any sight line issues for cars reversing out and the like.

It’s bureaucracy for bureaucracy’s sake, really.

Parking in the left lane would be an accident waiting to happen. You’d do well to last 24 hours without finding a car in your boot I reckon.

Thoroughly Smashed4:05 pm 01 Nov 11

They’d make a killing if they came down to Kambah.

woppadingo said :

You guys should shuddup!!!! Its an age old practice to park on ‘your’ own nature strip.

You should ‘shuddup’ and do some learning. Firstly, an Astrological age is regarded to be approximately 2150 years long. We haven’t had cars for 2150 years so how can it possible be an ‘age old practice’?

Secondly, ‘shuddup’ is not a word. The correct terminology is ‘Shut up’ nor, in polite company ‘Please be quiet’. Also one exclamtion mark has the same meaning as three. there is no reason to add extras.

woppadingo said :

my dad did a get a ticket for parking there a few years ago, but fought it and did not have to pay the fine.

Was it “because of the vibe”?

We had the same problem when living on Morphett St in Dickson across from Dara. We had 5 members in the house and had 4 cars and a boat (don’t ask…) to fit in the driveway/front lawn. We could get that damn boat and 3 cars in there but always had to park one on the nature strip if we were all home or if someone had taken the bus or walked to uni.

After nearly getting a ticket, and asking the inspector what we could do short of stacking the cars on top of each other, I called the ACT Government and the answer was “nothing”. We just made sure someone had a eye out on the street for inspectors if we were all home. i understand it’s a pain, and I personally think that you should be able to prove you live in that house and be exempt from fines for parking on your nature strip. But until you or I make the laws I don’t see any way around it.

One other factor is that having cars or other stuff blocking nature strips is a disincentive for pedestrians , especially when there is no footpath there. If there is no footpath, it’s good to have a clear nature strip.

woppadingo said :

Its an age old practice to park on ‘your’ own nature strip.

so was drink driving, not wearing your seatbelt, or (until recently) smoking in your car with the kids in the back seat. Just because its an “age old practice” doesn’t make it right.

Gungahlin Al2:37 pm 01 Nov 11

“Nature strip” – such a cute Canberra-ism for what the rest of Australia calls a verge.

Although…the way some people maintain (or not) theirs, it does seem to be reverting to nature.

You guys should shuddup!!!!
Its an age old practice to park on ‘your’ own nature strip. Technically it might be government land, but so is the land your house is on – its a 99 year lease. Also I dont see the government mowing my front nature strip. I have to do it myself. I dont live on Majura avenue. I live in another part of Canberra where we often have a car or two parked on the nature strip. We even have some pavers down in that area. my dad did a get a ticket for parking there a few years ago, but fought it and did not have to pay the fine.

Henry82 said :

The nature strip doesn’t belong to you, it’s owned by the council

0_0

Majura Ave’s been expropriated by NSW?

Henry82 said :

The council is probably clamping down because having cars parked everywhere looks tacky, and hypothetically it poses a risk as people can’t see what’s behind your car (relevant near intersections).

I wish the “council” would do that around Gungahlin.

Firstly it looks like sh*t having people park on nature strips. Secondly and more importantly it’s dangerous for people reversing out of their driveways if parked cars are blocking their view of traffic…

johnboy said :

Yes, because society is so much better served by people parking on a busy road and blocking a lane, rather than harmlessly putting them on the nature strip.

Exactly my point. if the road it blocked up with cars, maybe they will start letting people park on the nature strip. Especially since they do anyway on 97.5% of suburban roads in Canberra.

Thoroughly Smashed2:04 pm 01 Nov 11

Perhaps you could erect a sign on your property, facing the road and informing passing motorists of how they can use your street more appropriately.

This law irritates me, not due to its existence, but because of its massively varied application.

That said, if it legal to park on the road, then I would do that.

Yes, because society is so much better served by people parking on a busy road and blocking a lane, rather than harmlessly putting them on the nature strip.

suck it up princess.

You choose to live there, you choose to own a car, you can also choose where you park it.
Now I see YOU have 2 choices. Move your car or get a ticket.

Holden Caulfield1:19 pm 01 Nov 11

“inappropriate use of Majura Avenue as an arterial road”

Well, it does have four lanes; it’s not exactly a one way road is it.

Aside from that, I agree, you should be able to park on your nature strip.

The nature strip doesn’t belong to you, it’s owned by the council, however its your responsibility to maintain it. The council is probably clamping down because having cars parked everywhere looks tacky, and hypothetically it poses a risk as people can’t see what’s behind your car (relevant near intersections). As for your garden example (which is less likely to lower the decorum of the area), if it grows too high, they’ll ask you to cut it down to an appropriate level.

Looking at the cars parked on the nature strips on street view, it seems to be used for laziness & convenience (a quick getaway) rather than for genuine lack of driveway space. If I was you, I’d organise the troops in the street, and then start parking cars on the street 24/7 as per the current parking rules until the council gives in, or they erect no parking signs.

I have often wondered what the point of four lanes was on this section of Majura between Wakefield Ave and Cowper Street. As you say, with all the extra development there, and with many of those townhouses likely to become share-houses with 2 or 3 cars to park, it’s inevitable that some residents will need to park outside of their garage and on the street.

The orientation of that bit of Majura Ave needs to change, but of course moving gutters and relaying asphalt isn’t a cheap operation.

My suggestions, in order of cost 🙂

Solution 1: Leave lanes as is but allow parking. Implement Canberra’s first tow away clearway from 4-6pm Monday to Friday Northbound, 7:30 to 9:30am M-F Citybound.

Solution 2: Re-orientation of lanes… given almost all motor vehicles turn left at cowper street to go to Dickson, with only a small amount heading straight ahead towards Hackett, are two northbound lanes needed for that entire section of Majura? Why not close the northbound left lane between wakefield and 200m short of Cowper St, convert it to on street parking?

Solution 3: If four lanes at that point of Majura is deemed critical, widen Majura Ave to allow on street parking and cycle lanes.

Solution 4: Free up Northbourne by providing more viable public transport between City and Gungahlin. Bus and/or cycle lanes down the middle of Northbourne may help?

old canberran1:10 pm 01 Nov 11

Nature strips are part of the road reservation and as such belong to the owner of the road ie the Government.

TheDancingDjinn1:03 pm 01 Nov 11

“parking on our own nature strips” are they not government owned? I always thought you had the responisbilty to keep it tidy, but had no ownership of it as a piece of private property. am i wrong?

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