3 April 2013

Riot over lawn parking continues... [UPDATED]

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theparkinquestion

This will require a little work for those not keeping up with today’s drama. First go to this thread. It’s Monday’s bad parking photos, pay special attention to this photo:

post

Rioter pptvb had this to say in the comments:

Oh, this is GOLD!
@ #11. I have a fair idea who placed the sticker on your car.
It is one of many pissed off neighbours.
Your “lawn” is actually the nature strip between the foot path & the road. You and other residents of your units constantly park there and it is dangerous.
Your vehicles block the view of cars turning out of Castley Cr. as the approaching traffic is coming over a slight rise & around a slight bend.
We have spoken to many residents about their parking, and the dangers, Parking inspectors have issued tickets, Yet laziness prevails over common sense.

Rant Over.

( I will send photos of your “lawn” to JB )

There was more said on the subject, but Pptvb was good to his word and sent us pictures. There’s one up top, and here’s another:
differentangle

What’s the verdict Rioters? Is this an ok place to park, and if it’s not is sticking stickers to other people’s cars going too far?

Our original anonymous posted has responded.

For the benefit of Pptvb, the car stickered and posted on the RA was not parked in any locations he (or she) has described and taken photos of. I’m not so sure it was on a “nature strip” either as there is no footpath between the house and kerb where I got stickered and it was not on Castley Cct either. Regardless someone still thought it was parked ‘illegally’ though.

Please Mr angry sticker phantom next time maybe just put a note under the wipers or in the letterbox instead. That was the first I knew of a unoccupied vehicles causing such offense in the area and to me the reaction seemed out-of-line and probably illegal also.

Thanks again RA and apologies for bringing some silly neighbourhood argument to the site.

Never apologise anonymous Rioter, the RiotACT is here to serve… and to argue about parking.

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I don’t think you can tow or boot peoples cars here.

A_Cog said :

I’m going to draw a distinction between what is legal and what is safe. Based on the proximity of the white lines, it is not legal to park on the road. So residents park on the naturestrip, but that ain’t legal either. Oh, what to do?

Guess what, just because you live there doesn’t mean you have a right to park as many cars as you want immediately outside the front door. Try living in Sydney where you could well have to walk half the length of the street from the nearest legal car parking space (not that I’m suggesting we should aspire to make Canberra like that!). Just because your property is not adequate for your needs, whether it’s number of bedrooms or number of parking spaces, doesn’t give you the right to break the law and invade space that you have no right to – there are other alternatives!

Madam Cholet said :

I thought the rule as quoted above your post was with regards to a continuous white line…i.e. one that you are not legally allowed to cross. From the picture I can see a broken white line so assume that parking on the road is legal as long as they don’t park too near the corner or on the rise of a hill, (that might be UK road rules as I learnt them so happy to defer on the last two points)

Australian Road Rules prohibit parking within 10m of an intersection. The restriction on parking on a bend or crest only applies outside of built-up areas (eg. rural roads, highways, etc.).

Madam Cholet said :

A_Cog said :

I’m going to draw a distinction between what is legal and what is safe. Based on the proximity of the white lines, it is not legal to park on the road. So residents park on the naturestrip, but that ain’t legal either. Oh, what to do?

I thought the rule as quoted above your post was with regards to a continuous white line…i.e. one that you are not legally allowed to cross. From the picture I can see a broken white line so assume that parking on the road is legal as long as they don’t park too near the corner or on the rise of a hill, (that might be UK road rules as I learnt them so happy to defer on the last two points)

There is a continuous white line between the two seperate intersections in the area, but they then turn into normal broken lines on the other sides of the intersections .
The area in front of where these cars are parked does have a solid line, so parking on the road would be illegal.

Madam Cholet11:44 am 04 Apr 13

A_Cog said :

I’m going to draw a distinction between what is legal and what is safe. Based on the proximity of the white lines, it is not legal to park on the road. So residents park on the naturestrip, but that ain’t legal either. Oh, what to do?

I thought the rule as quoted above your post was with regards to a continuous white line…i.e. one that you are not legally allowed to cross. From the picture I can see a broken white line so assume that parking on the road is legal as long as they don’t park too near the corner or on the rise of a hill, (that might be UK road rules as I learnt them so happy to defer on the last two points)

I’m going to draw a distinction between what is legal and what is safe. Based on the proximity of the white lines, it is not legal to park on the road. So residents park on the naturestrip, but that ain’t legal either. Oh, what to do?

“Well, I’ll park on the naturestrip anyway, and at least I’m not on the road…”

But this laziness makes it dangerous for people coming out of the side street. So I’m gonna agree with those who think that such laziness and disregard for the safety of other people deserves payback. Go the stickers and vandalism. Pop the tires, jam paddlepops in the keyholes, do whatever. These selfish clowns deserve little sympathy, since they show none. And as for crapping on cars? This sounds like a job for the Ainslie Shitter… is there any possible way he could apply for one of those $10K crime-prevention grants from Simon Corbell? He could be some sort of public-interest vigilante, and drive all over Canberra in his Scat-mobile, crapping on these sorts of vehicles. That would be justice. Nana nana nana nana, nana nana nana nana… SCATMAN!

loosebrown said :

Madman said :

loosebrown said :

It would be perfectly legal for them to park on the side of the road.

Actually, no it wouldn’t be legal. You can see the unbroken white lines either side of the two intersections.

Sir I have examined the Australian Road Rules and cannot find your advice that it is illegal to parallel park on a road with double lines. Happy to be corrected though as this sounds like a sensible rule.

Division 8 – Rule 208 – Subrule 6
“If the road has a continuous dividing line or a dividing strip, the driver must position the vehicle at least 3 metres from the continuous dividing line or dividing strip, unless otherwise indicated by information on or with a parking control sign.”

gungsuperstar9:41 pm 03 Apr 13

Jim Jones said :

gungsuperstar said :

pptvb said :

gungsuperstar said :

Jim Jones said :

You can’t tell the difference between putting a sticker on an illegally (and dangerously) parked car and punching someone in the mouth?

Grail said :

How does physical assault even remotely compare to leaving a note on the windscreen?

Ah, so now we’re distinguishing between acts of vigilantism?

Nup, doesn’t work that way I’m afraid. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and the people defacing other peoples cars with stickers that neighbours are proudly bragging are hard to get off is no no better law-breaking behaviour than the people parking there in the first place.

Point………. Missed.

Yeah mate, you did miss the point.

You’re trying to justify the vigilantism of ‘your neighbours’ because it’s causing you a minor inconvenience.

While my example was an extreme one, it’s no different – “your neighbours” and my hypothetical are both breaking the law. To ridicule one while attempting to justify the other is hypocritical.

We have law enforcement for a reason. And guess what? It’s not you.

I hope the scumbag vandalising people’s cars gets caught – without checking, I’m tipping that vandalism is a greater charge than parking illegally.

You do realise that your argument made absolutely no sense whatsoever and that you sound like an angry self-obsessed loon.

I’m gonna head down to this joint and whack some big stickers on the cars just to f$%k with you.

And obviously I’m dealing with a Rhodes Scholar when you just say “you’re wrong, I’m right” without saying why. Clearly the whole argument has gone over your head.

You might as well have signed off with “naa na na-na na”

Madam Cholet2:14 pm 03 Apr 13

chewy14 said :

Or do a poo on a windscreen, which is infinitely quicker and more effective.

Do you mean infinitely quicker as in the actual act of leaving your calling card, or as in getting the neighbours to move their cars after finding your calling card?

If you were to consider this course of action, you would want to make sure that you were ‘ready to go’ so to speak. Nothing like being caught crouching on the bonnet of a neighbours car with your daks down….I would imagine anyway.

I think the nail under the tyre is infinitely quicker.

Jim Jones said :

Or do a poo on a windscreen, which is infinitely quicker and more effective.

This actually happened to a friend of mine who parked his car in the city and had too many drinks to drive home so left it there for the night. Returned the next day to find a lovely human turd on his bonnet.
Funniest thing ever, and it seems Jim Jones is now the prime suspect.

loosebrown said :

Sir I have examined the Australian Road Rules and cannot find your advice that it is illegal to parallel park on a road with double lines. Happy to be corrected though as this sounds like a sensible rule.

The real issue here though is the ACT Government not requiring developers to provide adequate parking within their developments. People would not park illegally if there was parking provided for their use….

It is illegal to park where there are double unbroken lines if any part of your vehicle is less than 3m from the unbroken lines. Rule 208, part 6 (http://www.ntc.gov.au/filemedia/Reports/ARRFeb12.pdf)

I’d have to disagree with your comments that people would park legally if there were sufficient legal spaces provided – many of the pics posted to the Monday Parking threads occur where there is no shortage of legal parking spaces.

You’re right in saying It is not unreasonable for people to expect to be able to park where they live… but you need to consider how many cars is it reasonable to park at each residence? actpla has minimum requirements for parking to be provided for different sized dwellings, but these are grossly insufficient if all the apartments end up as group houses where each bedroom is let to a different person, each with their own car. What is a reasonable number of cars to be able to be parked at a residence? What if I want to operate a taxi or chauffeur business from my home?! 😉

p1 said :

Madam Cholet said :

Jim Jones said :

Or do a poo on a windscreen, which is infinitely quicker and more effective.

Ha ha, seconded! Maybe a nail under the tyre?

Spud in the exhaust? Prawns in the hubcaps? Vegemite under the door handles? Or, you know, something with chain.

Why not just park them in? What are they going to do, call the police?

loosebrown said :

Madman said :

loosebrown said :

It would be perfectly legal for them to park on the side of the road.

Actually, no it wouldn’t be legal. You can see the unbroken white lines either side of the two intersections.

Sir I have examined the Australian Road Rules and cannot find your advice that it is illegal to parallel park on a road with double lines. Happy to be corrected though as this sounds like a sensible rule.

The real issue here though is the ACT Government not requiring developers to provide adequate parking within their developments. People would not park illegally if there was parking provided for their use. It is not unreasonable for people to expect to be able to park where they live.

Of course the Govt has no reason to force developers to provide adequate parking. They recieve revenue by ticketing infringing vehicles. They encourage development by reducing developer costs and in the long run, they force people on to public transport.

It’s not the fact that the road has double lines but whether there is sufficient space (3 metres) between a parked car and the line so that traffic can pass without crossing over the line. I don’t know the road enough to be certain that two cars could fit between the double lines. But if they could, that is where they should park.

Someone does something you dont like and as “the authorities” dont seem to have the same level of interest you think they should that then justifies your messing with their property. Yes I dont see how this plan could possibly have a downside.

devils_advocate said :

Jim Jones said :

You can’t tell the difference between putting a sticker on an illegally (and dangerously) parked car and punching someone in the mouth?

*sigh*

That’s why it’s an analogy. It compares two things that are similar but not identical.

Otherwise it would be “illegally putting stickers on a car is vigilantism, it’s like illegally putting stickers on a car”, a statement which, while true, is not very illuminating.

Technically, it’s a “really crappy” analogy.

won’t someone think of the children…

riotact parking threads are usually good value, but this issue has been done to death. as has been posted on several threads, it is illegal to park on the nature strip and it is facile to argue ‘but it doesn’t hurt anyone, why pick on me?’ agaisnt it. it is illegal. look that up. don’t do it.

can we get back to pictures of parking fails now..?

or ducks?

Madman said :

loosebrown said :

It would be perfectly legal for them to park on the side of the road.

Actually, no it wouldn’t be legal. You can see the unbroken white lines either side of the two intersections.

Sir I have examined the Australian Road Rules and cannot find your advice that it is illegal to parallel park on a road with double lines. Happy to be corrected though as this sounds like a sensible rule.

The real issue here though is the ACT Government not requiring developers to provide adequate parking within their developments. People would not park illegally if there was parking provided for their use. It is not unreasonable for people to expect to be able to park where they live.

Of course the Govt has no reason to force developers to provide adequate parking. They recieve revenue by ticketing infringing vehicles. They encourage development by reducing developer costs and in the long run, they force people on to public transport.

Madam Cholet said :

Jim Jones said :

Or do a poo on a windscreen, which is infinitely quicker and more effective.

Ha ha, seconded! Maybe a nail under the tyre?

Spud in the exhaust? Prawns in the hubcaps? Vegemite under the door handles? Or, you know, something with chain.

devils_advocate12:37 pm 03 Apr 13

gungsuperstar said :

pptvb said :

gungsuperstar said :

Jim Jones said :

You can’t tell the difference between putting a sticker on an illegally (and dangerously) parked car and punching someone in the mouth?

Grail said :

How does physical assault even remotely compare to leaving a note on the windscreen?

Ah, so now we’re distinguishing between acts of vigilantism?

Nup, doesn’t work that way I’m afraid. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and the people defacing other peoples cars with stickers that neighbours are proudly bragging are hard to get off is no no better law-breaking behaviour than the people parking there in the first place.

Point………. Missed.

Yeah mate, you did miss the point.

You’re trying to justify the vigilantism of ‘your neighbours’ because it’s causing you a minor inconvenience.

While my example was an extreme one, it’s no different – “your neighbours” and my hypothetical are both breaking the law. To ridicule one while attempting to justify the other is hypocritical.

We have law enforcement for a reason. And guess what? It’s not you.

I hope the scumbag vandalising people’s cars gets caught – without checking, I’m tipping that vandalism is a greater charge than parking illegally.

Law on vandalism isn’t so cut and dried. It’s a species of trespass to property, but has limits. For example, there was a precedent that specifically protected the right of parking inspectors to chalk tires. I’d be hesitant to call the outcome in a court case.

devils_advocate12:34 pm 03 Apr 13

Holden Caulfield said :

No, it’s not an okay place to park.

No, it’s not okay to deface someone else’s property.

Two wrongs may not make a right, but they sure as hell make for hilarious reading on RA.

devils_advocate12:31 pm 03 Apr 13

Jim Jones said :

You can’t tell the difference between putting a sticker on an illegally (and dangerously) parked car and punching someone in the mouth?

*sigh*

That’s why it’s an analogy. It compares two things that are similar but not identical.

Otherwise it would be “illegally putting stickers on a car is vigilantism, it’s like illegally putting stickers on a car”, a statement which, while true, is not very illuminating.

buzz819 said :

Mysteryman said :

As mentioned by others, it’s illegal. Doesn’t matter if anyone thinks it’s ok or not. The law is pretty clear.

I’d like to know where the stickers came from. Would love to purchase some!

It’s also illegal to deface someone else’s property.

Hint. deface is changing it in a way that is not permanent.

I’m not sure what you’re trying to say.

Madam Cholet11:40 am 03 Apr 13

Jim Jones said :

Alderney said :

Regarding the placing of a sticker on the windscrean. The Litter ACT 2004 states in Section 13 –

Placing advertising leaflets on motor vehicles etc
– 13(1) Place unsolicited leaflet in or on a motor vehicle in a public place, infringement penalty $100;
– 13(3) Distribute, commission, authorise or arrange for distribution of unsolicited leaflet for placement in or on motor vehicle in a public place, infringement penalty $100.

Now, I know that this is not an advertising leaflet as such, but one could argue it is ‘advertising’ the fact the car/s is/are illegally parked. One to ponder.

Regarding them just parking on the road and therefore not improving the situation for the people turning out of Castley, I’d be writing to the minister, and all your local members (including opposition one’s), to petition for more regular patrols and also for the street to be approprately sign posted for parking i.e. no parking/no stopping where there is a safety case.

I’d also raise the matter at the TCC as they can be a thorn in the side of MsLA.

You need to keep on at them though. The most tenacious always wins the day.

Always good to have a delegation too, rather than just an individual who can be passed off as the ‘resident nutter’.

Or do a poo on a windscreen, which is infinitely quicker and more effective.

Ha ha, seconded! Maybe a nail under the tyre?

Alderney said :

Regarding the placing of a sticker on the windscrean. The Litter ACT 2004 states in Section 13 –

Placing advertising leaflets on motor vehicles etc
– 13(1) Place unsolicited leaflet in or on a motor vehicle in a public place, infringement penalty $100;
– 13(3) Distribute, commission, authorise or arrange for distribution of unsolicited leaflet for placement in or on motor vehicle in a public place, infringement penalty $100.

Now, I know that this is not an advertising leaflet as such, but one could argue it is ‘advertising’ the fact the car/s is/are illegally parked. One to ponder.

Regarding them just parking on the road and therefore not improving the situation for the people turning out of Castley, I’d be writing to the minister, and all your local members (including opposition one’s), to petition for more regular patrols and also for the street to be approprately sign posted for parking i.e. no parking/no stopping where there is a safety case.

I’d also raise the matter at the TCC as they can be a thorn in the side of MsLA.

You need to keep on at them though. The most tenacious always wins the day.

Always good to have a delegation too, rather than just an individual who can be passed off as the ‘resident nutter’.

Or do a poo on a windscreen, which is infinitely quicker and more effective.

Regarding the placing of a sticker on the windscrean. The Litter ACT 2004 states in Section 13 –

Placing advertising leaflets on motor vehicles etc
– 13(1) Place unsolicited leaflet in or on a motor vehicle in a public place, infringement penalty $100;
– 13(3) Distribute, commission, authorise or arrange for distribution of unsolicited leaflet for placement in or on motor vehicle in a public place, infringement penalty $100.

Now, I know that this is not an advertising leaflet as such, but one could argue it is ‘advertising’ the fact the car/s is/are illegally parked. One to ponder.

Regarding them just parking on the road and therefore not improving the situation for the people turning out of Castley, I’d be writing to the minister, and all your local members (including opposition one’s), to petition for more regular patrols and also for the street to be approprately sign posted for parking i.e. no parking/no stopping where there is a safety case.

I’d also raise the matter at the TCC as they can be a thorn in the side of MsLA.

You need to keep on at them though. The most tenacious always wins the day.

Always good to have a delegation too, rather than just an individual who can be passed off as the ‘resident nutter’.

you shouldn’t park on the nature strip (especially if you’re blocking the driving view of other motorists or the footpath spaces for pedestrians). i do not agree with vigilante action but it is frustrating when the proper avenues won’t help you (had times in the past when i have been tempted with people parking over driveways or making too much noise etc etc).

basketofcat said :

RB78 said :

Good old Vic and Ric! Lovely old couple – have fond memories of walking up there as a kid to buy some lollies with my pocket money before heading onto the park. They were always very friendly to the local kids. From memory they had to sell the shop when Vic started to lose her eyesight.

Remember their opening day? With the tents? The icecream bar never tasted so good. When it was still a Shoprite it was even better, very personal and friendly home delivery.
.

Certainly do! The entire carpark was packed. From memory the icecream bar was called “carnival treats” but it’s popularity didn’t really last. Beat part was the frozen coke machine, back when they first came out.

The irony of this thread, is that just ’round the corner from my house, people occasionally park on the road in a place which is legal, but inhibits the view around a bend, while at the same time forcing you to drive around them at a point where people coming the other way most often also use the middle of the road. If they parked on the nature strip like 99% of residents and visitors it would be safer for all involved – and illegal.

Holden Caulfield10:21 am 03 Apr 13

pptvb said :

It is a dangerous corner because of vehicles parked there.

So, if the cars were to park legally on the side of the road do you think that will improve the safety/visibility of the corner? I reckon this may be a case of careful what you wish for.

I understand that parking on the verge is illegal and I certainly understand the need to maintain sight lines through corners for the safety of all. Unfortunately most of humankind possesses an inherent selfishness that means each individual will take the easiest option for everyday matters, such as parking their car at home.

To draw a foolish comparison with other road users, that’s why some cyclists and motorists run red lights, for example, because it’s just easier for them at that point in time, and the risks are (in many cases) negligible.

Similarly, the risk of getting a parking ticket in this instance is low and the convenience of parking on the nature strip, out of the way of road users, is high.

I’d also suggest the vigilantes are acting out of selfishness too. Would they be so enthusiastic to carry on with their cause if they lived on the other side of Canberra otherwise oblivious to the concerns being discussed? That they have the law on their side just makes them sanctimonious, but just as much as a pain in the arse as the nature strip parkers.

Well, IMO anyway. Carry on.

gungsuperstar said :

pptvb said :

gungsuperstar said :

Jim Jones said :

You can’t tell the difference between putting a sticker on an illegally (and dangerously) parked car and punching someone in the mouth?

Grail said :

How does physical assault even remotely compare to leaving a note on the windscreen?

Ah, so now we’re distinguishing between acts of vigilantism?

Nup, doesn’t work that way I’m afraid. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and the people defacing other peoples cars with stickers that neighbours are proudly bragging are hard to get off is no no better law-breaking behaviour than the people parking there in the first place.

Point………. Missed.

Yeah mate, you did miss the point.

You’re trying to justify the vigilantism of ‘your neighbours’ because it’s causing you a minor inconvenience.

While my example was an extreme one, it’s no different – “your neighbours” and my hypothetical are both breaking the law. To ridicule one while attempting to justify the other is hypocritical.

We have law enforcement for a reason. And guess what? It’s not you.

I hope the scumbag vandalising people’s cars gets caught – without checking, I’m tipping that vandalism is a greater charge than parking illegally.

You do realise that your argument made absolutely no sense whatsoever and that you sound like an angry self-obsessed loon.

I’m gonna head down to this joint and whack some big stickers on the cars just to f$%k with you.

loosebrown said :

It would be perfectly legal for them to park on the side of the road.

Is that what you’d prefer pptvb?

Yes, it would be legal, to a point (distances from corners etc) But it wouldn’t solve the issue.
My neighbour hasn’t sourced & used stickers for the sheer joy.(maybe a little)
It is a dangerous corner because of vehicles parked there.
I have lived in the area for over 7 years now & there was no issue before the units were built. The previous occupants, of the 2 houses, didn’t park on the nature strip.
No vehicles = much safer.
I, and others, have had a few near misses at this corner due to impaired visibility. We are just trying to prevent something nasty happening.
(Mind you, if people did the posted 60km/h on Boddington Cr, it would help too.)

Sure, the stickers aren’t the ideal method, but better than stabbing tyres or keying panels.
We tried talking, notes (not flyers), police, parking inspectors….what else? Wait for a death?
Imagine if it is a cyclist!!!!!!!

For the benefit of Pptvb, the car stickered and posted on the RA was not parked in any locations he (or she) has described and taken photos of. I’m not so sure it was on a “nature strip” either as there is no footpath between the house and kerb where I got stickered and it was not on Castley Cct either. Regardless someone still thought it was parked ‘illegally’ though.

TAMS defines a nature strip as follows:
“A road verge, often referred to as a nature strip, is the strip of land between a residential property boundary and the adjacent roadway.”

The absence (or presence) of a footpath is irrelevant. If you are parked between the property boundary and the street, you are parked on the nature strip (though where there is a footpath, the situation is a little clearer as the property boundary is usually near the off-street side of the footpath). We have no footpath at the front of our place, but there is a lamp post which is a couple of metres from the street – I’m quite certain this is not inside the property boundary, therefore, the nature strip must extend at least that far.

Perhaps “anonymous Rioter” needs to post a picture of his/her stickered car in context to clarify, but in image #11 in “the other thread*”, it certainly appears to be parked very close to the road.

*http://the-riotact.com/april-fool-monday-parking/99367

loosebrown said :

It would be perfectly legal for them to park on the side of the road.

Actually, no it wouldn’t be legal. You can see the unbroken white lines either side of the two intersections.

The owners of these cars need to be very careful as there are now cases where accidents have occurred on intersections due to cars parked like this and the cars obstructing the view of the intersections have been made to award costs to repairing both cars. Even if they were not in the car or not driving.

It is also the nature strip and not the lawn – which makes it illegal to park on.
As for the sticker – it’s not defacing the car or damaging your property. Get a razor out and it will come straight off. You don’t deface your own car when you stick your rego sticker onto the same windscreen. I would agree it would be annoying, but does not outweigh the issues you’re illegally parked car is causing to more than just one person.

I’ve had a look on Google maps satellite and I can’t believe how many other cars are there getting away with the same thing. There are even some parked partly on the road over the intersection.
I hope someone has a crash and you all end up paying for their damage. That will teach you a lesson.

It would be perfectly legal for them to park on the side of the road.

Is that what you’d prefer pptvb?

JC said :

basketofcat said :

What was ACTPLA thinking when they approved this DA? Surely they would know that increasing the density of these houses and being priced at the point where the residents would have multiple cars would lead to a situation like this.

That is a very good point. It seems the Greens don’t like cars and think everyone should use public transport, so that makes an easy out for developers to maximise land use on more units with less parking.

The new development at Jammo being a good case in point, apparently the overflow parking there will be the existing shop carparks. Pity most days the side near the development in particular is packed, though during the day the back end not so much. But from there it is a hike to get into the shops ever since the entrance that used to be besides Coles was removed when they did their extensions a few years back.

In this case though here is a perfect example of why it is illegal to park on nature strips and of course it should be enforced.

I posit that owning car/s and using car/s are two different arguments. Maybe the Greens haven’t picked up on this concept yet.

I once read that the human brain developed at a remarkable rate once we started eating meat, which happend once we learnt to harness fire. To extrapolate, being a vegetarian has its drawbacks in the thought process department.

Mr Evil said :

I don’t think attaching a sticker on a windscreen is defacing a car at all – after all, it could have been much worse.

If the neighbours weren’t so tolerant – after asking these knobs to stop parking in such a dangerous spot nicely and being told to f#ck off for their troubles – well, these car owners could be looking at a paint job damaged by acid or brake fluid instead.

I have it on good authority (from an ex NSW policeman) that paddle pops work just as well…over to you.

G.R.R said :

The author said the units have parking underneath. Not knowing the area, do the units have 2 or more parking spots each?

I know in my apartment, I have 1 garage and a visitor park…in a 3 bedroom apartment with 3 people and 3 cars, that leaves me with 1 car spot needed. Maybe it’s the case here. If so, where are they meant to park?

Well the arsehole in me would say don’t live there, find somewhere else. A three bedroom dwelling should have two reserved spots. But in truth, you’re right. Three bedrooms in a share house means three cars and one semi-permanent one for a bf/gf “visiting”. But I don’t think it’s appropriate to provide four spaces per dwelling. The balance would be two spots and a visitor spot.

It still doesn’t make parking on the strip all OK, park down the street and walk, like they do in Europe!

screaming banshee7:10 am 03 Apr 13

G.R.R said :

The author said the units have parking underneath. Not knowing the area, do the units have 2 or more parking spots each?

I know in my apartment, I have 1 garage and a visitor park…in a 3 bedroom apartment with 3 people and 3 cars, that leaves me with 1 car spot needed. Maybe it’s the case here. If so, where are they meant to park?

Why is that anyone else’s problem, you make a choice about how many people you live with, where you live, and how many cars you own. If you cannot park them legally perhaps you shouldn’t have them or shouldn’t live there.

If canberrans weren’t so allergic to parking on the street I would suggest that you find a legal spot to park, which is often, though not in this case, a few metres from where the cars are illegally parked.

Why not park on the street? It looks wide enough (although not 100% sure) noting Australian Road Rules 208 that a parked car needs to be 3 metres where a single or double unbroken centre line. Why is it that Canberrans have this fear for parking on the street? I never get this. Unless there are signs telling you otherwise and/or the 3 metre rule is unable to be met, park on the street.

And for the OP, it is illegal so no to parking on the nature strip. As for the stickers, hard to say if that should be allowed given the nature strip is public land (however if the car was on private property no issues there in my opinion). I think the car owners deserve it though. But the cars being on public land there could be a case for defacing someone else’s property. But another factor is that should the sticker not be fastened properly there is a risk it could blow off or come apart and then you would be up for littering–putting paper under a windscreen wiper is illegal in the ACT for that reason (Section 13, Littering Act 2004) and see http://the-riotact.com/flyers-under-windscreen-wipers-in-canberra

basketofcat said :

What was ACTPLA thinking when they approved this DA? Surely they would know that increasing the density of these houses and being priced at the point where the residents would have multiple cars would lead to a situation like this.

That is a very good point. It seems the Greens don’t like cars and think everyone should use public transport, so that makes an easy out for developers to maximise land use on more units with less parking.

The new development at Jammo being a good case in point, apparently the overflow parking there will be the existing shop carparks. Pity most days the side near the development in particular is packed, though during the day the back end not so much. But from there it is a hike to get into the shops ever since the entrance that used to be besides Coles was removed when they did their extensions a few years back.

In this case though here is a perfect example of why it is illegal to park on nature strips and of course it should be enforced.

gungsuperstar8:34 pm 02 Apr 13

pptvb said :

gungsuperstar said :

Jim Jones said :

You can’t tell the difference between putting a sticker on an illegally (and dangerously) parked car and punching someone in the mouth?

Grail said :

How does physical assault even remotely compare to leaving a note on the windscreen?

Ah, so now we’re distinguishing between acts of vigilantism?

Nup, doesn’t work that way I’m afraid. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and the people defacing other peoples cars with stickers that neighbours are proudly bragging are hard to get off is no no better law-breaking behaviour than the people parking there in the first place.

Point………. Missed.

Yeah mate, you did miss the point.

You’re trying to justify the vigilantism of ‘your neighbours’ because it’s causing you a minor inconvenience.

While my example was an extreme one, it’s no different – “your neighbours” and my hypothetical are both breaking the law. To ridicule one while attempting to justify the other is hypocritical.

We have law enforcement for a reason. And guess what? It’s not you.

I hope the scumbag vandalising people’s cars gets caught – without checking, I’m tipping that vandalism is a greater charge than parking illegally.

I don’t think attaching a sticker on a windscreen is defacing a car at all – after all, it could have been much worse.

If the neighbours weren’t so tolerant – after asking these knobs to stop parking in such a dangerous spot nicely and being told to f#ck off for their troubles – well, these car owners could be looking at a paint job damaged by acid or brake fluid instead.

RB78 said :

Good old Vic and Ric! Lovely old couple – have fond memories of walking up there as a kid to buy some lollies with my pocket money before heading onto the park. They were always very friendly to the local kids. From memory they had to sell the shop when Vic started to lose her eyesight.

Remember their opening day? With the tents? The icecream bar never tasted so good. When it was still a Shoprite it was even better, very personal and friendly home delivery.

ACTION should be called to account for contributing to this particular example, too. There’s a pair of bus stops (-> Tuggers and <- Tuggers) not fifty metres away from this intersection yet the residents feel compelled to possess multiple cars per household. If the service was better the medium density infill could properly be called that.

The author said the units have parking underneath. Not knowing the area, do the units have 2 or more parking spots each?

I know in my apartment, I have 1 garage and a visitor park…in a 3 bedroom apartment with 3 people and 3 cars, that leaves me with 1 car spot needed. Maybe it’s the case here. If so, where are they meant to park?

Where’s a white Commodore when you need one???

gungsuperstar said :

Jim Jones said :

You can’t tell the difference between putting a sticker on an illegally (and dangerously) parked car and punching someone in the mouth?

Grail said :

How does physical assault even remotely compare to leaving a note on the windscreen?

Ah, so now we’re distinguishing between acts of vigilantism?

Nup, doesn’t work that way I’m afraid. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and the people defacing other peoples cars with stickers that neighbours are proudly bragging are hard to get off is no no better law-breaking behaviour than the people parking there in the first place.

Point………. Missed.

basketofcat said :

Or the cars’ owners could park their cars down at Vic and Ric’s?

What was ACTPLA thinking when they approved this DA? Surely they would know that increasing the density of these houses and being priced at the point where the residents would have multiple cars would lead to a situation like this.

I haven’t been there for ages, is there a similar situation at Bateman and Boddington? iirc that house got knocked down too and some 2 storey townhouses went up.

Good old Vic and Ric! Lovely old couple – have fond memories of walking up there as a kid to buy some lollies with my pocket money before heading onto the park. They were always very friendly to the local kids. From memory they had to sell the shop when Vic started to lose her eyesight.

To answer your question, I believe they did put up units on the corner of Bateman and Boddington, yes. I don’t drive through Kambah that often anymore so can’t comment on if there’s any nature strip parking there but from google maps their strips aren’t as wide.

gungsuperstar6:18 pm 02 Apr 13

Jim Jones said :

You can’t tell the difference between putting a sticker on an illegally (and dangerously) parked car and punching someone in the mouth?

Grail said :

How does physical assault even remotely compare to leaving a note on the windscreen?

Ah, so now we’re distinguishing between acts of vigilantism?

Nup, doesn’t work that way I’m afraid. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and the people defacing other peoples cars with stickers that neighbours are proudly bragging are hard to get off is no no better law-breaking behaviour than the people parking there in the first place.

buzz819 said :

It’s also illegal to deface someone else’s property.

Hint. deface is changing it in a way that is not permanent.

Deface (verb) 1. to mar the surface or appearance of; disfigure: eg, to deface a wall by writing on it.
2.to efface, obliterate, or injure the surface of, as to make illegible or invalid: eg. to deface a bond.

Not sure where “not permanent” comes into it.

I’m all for it. The locals have obviously tried everything they could to get the residents to act in a way that is both legal and considerate. I’m waiting for the next installment when they put the stickers directly in front of the drivers seat, held on with same stuff they used to use on rego stickers.

It’s not just unit parking that’s the issue. Out in the northern suburbs – it’s largely ‘lifestyle’ choices that lead to cars parking on nature strips and reserves. Almost all cars parked on nature strips are due to having boats in driveways or garages stacked full of crap and storage.

In my townhouse complex – almost no cars park in their double lock up garages – they all park on the street and allow their garages to be stoage zones or home businesses.

While I do dream about complaining – I fear it would make the issue worse. People might just put their crap out on the nature strip and put their car into the garage…

Holden Caulfield5:10 pm 02 Apr 13

No, it’s not an okay place to park.

No, it’s not okay to deface someone else’s property.

Mysteryman said :

As mentioned by others, it’s illegal. Doesn’t matter if anyone thinks it’s ok or not. The law is pretty clear.

I’d like to know where the stickers came from. Would love to purchase some!

It’s also illegal to deface someone else’s property.

Hint. deface is changing it in a way that is not permanent.

As mentioned by others, it’s illegal. Doesn’t matter if anyone thinks it’s ok or not. The law is pretty clear.

I’d like to know where the stickers came from. Would love to purchase some!

Or the cars’ owners could park their cars down at Vic and Ric’s?

What was ACTPLA thinking when they approved this DA? Surely they would know that increasing the density of these houses and being priced at the point where the residents would have multiple cars would lead to a situation like this.

I haven’t been there for ages, is there a similar situation at Bateman and Boddington? iirc that house got knocked down too and some 2 storey townhouses went up.

It is illegal to park on a nature strip.

As smeeagain posted in “the other thread”:
Australian Road Rules 197 (1) a driver must not stop on a bicycle path, footpath, shared path or dividing strip or a NATURE STRIP adjacent to a length of road in a built-up area unless a parking control sign applies.

The ACT Government also lists parking a vehicle as a prohibited “use” of the nature strip:
http://www.tams.act.gov.au/city-services/public_land_use/nature_strips

My problem would be with the Toyota. I reckon he would be too close to the road and thus impeding the view over the crest and also looking right from the IGA intersection. I think the other cars would be far enough from the road not to cause any issues (except if they were then on the footpath).

I think that the stickers being used just plain rude if – as the guy who had one stuck to his car stated – they don’t come off easily. You never have the right to do that to someones property no matter how they are parked. If you don’t like it, talk to the owner or report it to the authorities.
What would happen if the couldn’t get it off from their windscreen and they had an accident as a result? I’d like to have the sticker bandit held responsible in that case.

pptvb said :

Wouldnt it be easier just to have a chat first? Possibly risking your self injury by sticking things to others cars.

Tried that too.
Replies included: “We’re not parking, just stopping for a while”, “What’s it got to do with you?”, “Fuck Off”.

Sounds like this street has a chronic case of the “DEALERS!!!!!”

gungsuperstar said :

Call Canberra Connect and get them to send a ranger if it bothers you that much.

Perhaps I could just let myself into my neighbours place and punch them in the mouth so they’ll stop yelling at each other?

How does physical assault even remotely compare to leaving a note on the windscreen?

Someone’s going to learn the hard way that whining to The RiotACT in order to gain support for your side in a private argument is going to end in tears. I would not be surprised to find this kerb is patrolled by parking rangers twice a week for the next few months.

gungsuperstar said :

No, vigilante action in the form of defacing someone else’s car is not alright.

Call Canberra Connect and get them to send a ranger if it bothers you that much.

Perhaps I could just let myself into my neighbours place and punch them in the mouth so they’ll stop yelling at each other?

We called the rangers….”not their problem, call the Police ”
Called the Police ” Call the parking inspectors”
Called Parking Operations, Tickets were issued.
A week later the cars were back.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Wouldnt it be easier just to have a chat first? Possibly risking your self injury by sticking things to others cars.

Tried that too.
Replies included: “We’re not parking, just stopping for a while”, “What’s it got to do with you?”, “Fuck Off”.

FWIW, it’s illegal to do anything other than maintenance with a nature strip: no gardens, no landscaping, no rocks, no parking. For landscaping requirements you can get a permit if you apply to the appropriate authority.

In the meantime, here’s an interesting read from the Crimes.

gungsuperstar said :

No, vigilante action in the form of defacing someone else’s car is not alright.

Call Canberra Connect and get them to send a ranger if it bothers you that much.

Perhaps I could just let myself into my neighbours place and punch them in the mouth so they’ll stop yelling at each other?

You can’t tell the difference between putting a sticker on an illegally (and dangerously) parked car and punching someone in the mouth?

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd said :

Wouldnt it be easier just to have a chat first? Possibly risking your self injury by sticking things to others cars.

Wouldn’t it be easier to read the article before commenting? Possibly risking answering your question before committing a vacuous display of your incompetence in written communication?

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd3:43 pm 02 Apr 13

Wouldnt it be easier just to have a chat first? Possibly risking your self injury by sticking things to others cars.

Coulda named and shamed them on Monday’s parking fiasco thread first. Or even a nice note on the windscreen.. those pesky owners corp love to throw their weight around..

gungsuperstar3:41 pm 02 Apr 13

No, vigilante action in the form of defacing someone else’s car is not alright.

Call Canberra Connect and get them to send a ranger if it bothers you that much.

Perhaps I could just let myself into my neighbours place and punch them in the mouth so they’ll stop yelling at each other?

I used to live nearby. That’s a busy intersection as the IGA is directly opposite.

The cars are parked in a bad spot as people tend to speed along that small crest on Boddington Cr and you don’t have much visibility to the right when turning from Castley. I saw a number of near misses at that intersection and recall there was a head on smash further up the crest (between the two ends of Crozier) once too.

I understand parking might be at a premium in a complex but parking where they are is reducing what is already limited visibility.

Right or wrong, the stickers seemed to have worked.
Previously there have been up to 7 cars parked all over this nature strip, though lately it is only the occasional one.
These units have secure parking underneath, but the extra 10m must be too much effort.

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