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Illegal Parking on Footpaths Increases Across Australia, Causes Accessibility Issues

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Overview of Illegal Parking

A significant increase in illegal parking on public footpaths across Australia has been observed, leading to accessibility challenges for pedestrians. The issue, highlighted by incidents such as a vehicle obstructing a footpath in Bullsbrook, Perth, has drawn attention to widespread concerns.

Data and Regional Impact

Data from the council reporting application Snap Send Solve indicates a 12% rise in illegal parking reports nationwide over the past year.

  • Victoria and New South Wales accounted for over 120,000 reports.
  • The most substantial growth in reports occurred in the Northern Territory (849%), followed by South Australia (28%), Queensland (24%), and Tasmania (18%).

Danny Gorog, CEO of Snap Send Solve, stated that illegal parking is a growing frustration across Australia, with issues like blocked driveways and vehicles overstaying time limits creating daily challenges.

Gorog noted that while some can avoid minor obstructions on footpaths, it is difficult for individuals using wheelchairs or prams.

Penalties and Local Responses

Illegal parking typically incurs fines. In Bullsbrook, Perth, the penalty is $180.

  • Previous incidents include a vehicle obstructing a footpath in Newcastle, NSW, which reportedly required a pedestrian to walk onto the road.
  • In Queensland, some residents have described the issue as an "epidemic," advocating for increased penalty points and stricter enforcement by local councils.
  • Residents in Sydney's southwest, particularly in the Liverpool City Council area, have resisted fines for parking on kerbs. The council, after collecting $2 million in fines, later instructed rangers not to penalize drivers parking over rolled kerbs, acknowledging it as a common practice in the area.

Reporting Incidents

Residents are encouraged to report illegal parking to their local council or authority. The Snap Send Solve app, founded by Danny Gorog, facilitates this process by:

  • Utilizing GPS for geotagged accuracy to pinpoint incident locations.
  • Allowing visual evidence through photos to provide context.
  • Automatically routing reports to the correct authority based on location and incident type.