When a vehicle is left unattended and unregistered on any public road or other Council property, Rangers advise the last registered owner by a formal Notice of Intention to Impound. The vehicle must be re-registered within a prescribed period or removed to private property.
The Notice lists all fees, charges and penalties applicable for non-compliance.
If the last registered owner fails to comply with the Notice, the vehicle will be deemed abandoned and impounded or destroyed.
If your car has been impounded
Vehicles determined to be worth $500 or more are taken to a holding yard where they accrue daily charges. For these vehicles to be released to the last registered owner, this person must provide Council with proof of identity, proof of ownership and pay a release fee as determined by Council. They will then be advised of the location of the holding yard and must pay the total fees for the accrued daily storage of the vehicle to the holding yard contractor.
If a vehicle worth $500 or more is not claimed by the last registered owner within 28 days of being impounded, it will be auctioned to recover costs incurred by Council and the holding yard contractor. The net proceeds of the sale will be held by Council and may be claimed by the last registered owner upon providing the relevant proofs.
The abandonment of a vehicle is an offence under the Local Government Act and is subject to penalty under that Act. After Council has made all enquiries required, vehicles determined to be worth less than $500 may be destroyed upon impounding.