Council fails to improve abandoned vehicle response

Central Coast Council has failed to resolve to improve its response to reports of abandoned vehicles, despite dumped cars remaining in place for more than six months.

Council voted against a motion from Cr Rebecca Gale Collins to investigate creating a phone app to report abandoned vehicles.

Woy Woy resident Mr Peter Sarras told Peninsula News: "We had an issue with dumped cars recently that went on for more than six months.

"We wrote letters and made calls to council staff, local police, deputy mayor Cr Chris Holstein and our NSW state MP," Mr Sarras said.

Mr Sarras said highway patrol police finally removed the car in the week before the item was to be discussed at the Council meeting.

Cr Gale Collins told the meeting she believed Council should investigate creating app that would assist residents wishing to report abandoned vehicles, with support from the police local area commands.

"The intent behind this motion is to address a disconnect between citizens, Council and the local area command," Cr Gale Collins said.

"Over the past 12 months I have spoken with many residents who are fed up with abandoned vehicles," she said.

"Councillors have received a briefing and fact sheet on this issue but the community doesn't have that information," she said.

Other councillors argued against the motion, saying that there were already to apps available to report abandoned vehicles.

Council director Ms Julie Vaughan said Council also provided a "report an incident" tool for residents.

Mr Sarras said: "Other councils in the state have been proactive and responsive on this issue."

He said Bayside Council had adopted a new policy in April that aimed to ensure unregistered vehicles abandoned or left unattended were removed from public roads in an efficient, lawful manner.

"The Bayside Council made the decision that management of unregistered abandoned vehicles that have been left unattended on public land was crucial.

"That Council recognized that in addition to becoming unsightly and contributing to a loss of amenity, such vehicles are a nuisance and may present a safety hazard to the public.

"Parking on public land is not meant for long-term storage of stationary private vehicles which are not being used for transport."

SOURCE:

Central Coast Council agenda 6.1, 12 Nov 2018

Media statement, 13 Nov 2018

Peter Sarras, Woy Woy