Aussie driver fined $283 for simple parking act after neighbour's 'petty' revenge

The Sydney resident appears at war with her neighbour and has finally had enough. But has she taken it too far?

Left: Residential street with houses. Right: Large black ute parked in driveway at Manly home.
A resident in Sydney dobbed in her neighbour for parking in his driveway which can attract a fine up $283. Source: Getty/Facebook

Aussies are growing increasingly frustrated with neighbours behaving inappropriately, particularly when it comes to parking in their street. And now, a resident at war with her neighbour has detailed her "petty" move after becoming fed up with the "obnoxious guy" repeatedly parking in a questionable manner outside his home, a common gripe in suburbs across the country.

"Whinging" about her neighbour online, the Sydney woman claimed the man's "over loud, oversized vehicle permanently sticks out from his property, partially blocking footpath". Despite being parked in his driveway, parking this way is illegal and can attract a $283 fine, sometimes more in other council areas across the country.

"This noise-polluting monstrosity should be banned," the Manly resident said of the large ute which is seen with its tray sticking out across the footpath in a photo posted on Facebook this week. "Or at least parked on the street (preferably not ours)," she added.

In an attempt to put an end to the "grubby" behaviour, the resident said she reported her neighbour to the Northern Beaches Council — a move she admitted was petty.

According to the council's website, "residents must not park in or across a driveway (even your own)," to ensure pedestrian safety and access. A minimum penalty of $283 applies the council website states.

"Ensure your car is within the front boundary of the property or parked safely in the street," guidelines state. Similar rules apply across the country.

Northern Beaches Council confirmed to Yahoo News Australia that after the incident was reported via Snap, Snap, Solve, the driver was fined.

It's understood that officers have proactively patrolled the area since and found no repeated instances.

However, the woman in question was shocked to see the driver's "pride and joy still there" in the driveway. "Vengeance is sadly not mine," she joked. "Today I received an email from council saying the matter has been resolved. Do council not care or is this an insufficient crime for any action to be taken?" she asked fellow residents on Facebook.

Some agreed he should be fined for parking illegally. In the past, a Canberra driver was fined $132 for doing the same thing on his driveway. Meanwhile, a Sydney woman copped a $283 fine for parking outside her Summer Hill home.

"I’m surprised he doesn’t get booked as he is blocking the footpath for prams and wheelchairs," one person said. "That’s kind of dangerous. Plus disabled or kids on bikes could slam into it," another shared.

Others however didn't think her "whinge" was warranted and instead encouraged her to "mind your business".

"You sound like one of those neighbours that sticks their noses into other people's business," one said.

"Car park is sh*te but it doesn’t seem like it’s affecting you. Take a deep breath and stop working yourself up over things that really don’t matter," someone else hit out.

Northern Beaches Council were approached for comment.

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