Latest news with #carparking
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
'I was disheartened to hear the rancour of local residents'
I READ your article regarding car parking on Spetchley Road. I am a resident on the Spetchley estate and I was disheartened to hear the rancour of local residents. Whatever happened to living in community with one another and understanding other people's needs? Doubtless the same people who are complaining drive their cars and park in places which inconvenience or annoy others. More: Meet the woman who creates dazzling window displays in city More: Pictures: All the business award winners from two counties More: Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Worcester theatre Councillor Elaine Willmore, in her letter to residents, very helpfully outlined the powers that they have and things that the council could and couldn't do. I am not saying that there is not a problem at school run times and there are safety concerns. However, there are more important things in the world than someone parking across my drive for 10 minutes to pick up their children. Yes, we should encourage walking to school as an option but we are in a car culture. So, complaining neighbours, try walking a mile in other people's shoes. See the stress that they may be under with work and school and all the other things life throws at us. And maybe do yourself some good, especially your blood pressure, by not sweating the small stuff. Rev David Southall Worcester
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Aussies warned about little-known road rule that could cost you a $2000 fine
Aussie drivers are being warned to check their parked cars, as a common habit could lead to hefty fines worth thousands of dollars. Leaving your car unlocked or its windows slightly open can result in serious penalties - depending on the state you're in. And while there are some exceptions, they apply to a very limited group of drivers. In several states, a 'three-metre rule' is in place, allowing drivers to keep their car unlocked only if they remain within three metres of the vehicle. Step any further away, and you could be slapped with a fine. Although the rule might seem excessive to some, Astor Legal principal lawyer Avinash Singh said there is a clear rationale behind it. 'The reasoning behind the law is to prevent cars from being stolen and then used in more serious crimes,' Singh said. 'The use of allegedly stolen vehicles makes it difficult for police to track down the offenders.' The exact penalties vary from state to state, and one state reportedly doesn't have the law at all. But in jurisdictions where it does apply, the consequences can be severe, highlighting the importance of knowing local regulations when it comes to parking your car. New South Wales Under Regulation 213 of the Road Rules 2014, if you're more than 3 metres away from your unattended vehicle, it must be locked, and windows secured. A window is considered secure if it's open by no more than 2 centimetres. The On-the-spot fine is $114, but the maximum court-imposed penalty is 20 penalty units, amounting to a fine of $2,200. Queensland Drivers must ensure their vehicles are locked and windows secured if they are more than three metres away, windows must not be open more than five centimetres. Failing to comply can lead to hefty penalties, with fines reaching up to $3,096. If the car is left unlocked with the keys still inside, the driver can be hit with a $2,669 fine. Victoria Drivers must secure their vehicles when parked and unattended. Windows are deemed secure if opened by less than 2 centimetres. An on-the-spot fine of $117, which can go up to $600 if it goes to court. Western Australia Drivers must switch off the car, remove the key, lock the doors, and secure the windows when leaving the vehicle unattended. The fine is $50, but there are some exemptions. Tasmania In Tasmania, drivers must switch off the engine, remove the key, lock the doors, and secure windows (no more than 2cm open) when leaving a car unattended. I It is also illegal to leave minors under 16 inside. Fines can reach nearly $200. Australian Capital Territory In the ACT, you must lock your car and close the windows when leaving it unattended. Breaking this rule can cost you up to $3,200. Northern Territory In the Northern Territory, it's an offence to leave a car unlocked and unattended when the driver is more than three metres away, and no one is inside. Fines may vary. South Australia South Australia is the only state where drivers are not legally required to lock their cars when unattended. Under Regulation 23, there's no penalty for leaving your vehicle unlocked, possibly because stolen cars are less commonly linked to serious crimes there.
RNZ News
01-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Patient accommodation building in Dunedin 'beyond economical repair'
By Tim Scott , Otago Daily Times Oamaru House, Dunedin. Photo: Google Maps A Dunedin hospital patient accommodation building earmarked for demolition is in such a poor condition it is "beyond economical repair", Foodstuffs says. The supermarket giant said its planned demolition of Oamaru House, at 95 Hanover St, to add "much-needed" car parking at New World Centre City was a decision that had not been taken lightly. It announced last month it had lodged applications with the Dunedin City Council for building permits to demolish the building, as well as another structure at 121 Great King St. Operated by the Oamaru House Trust, the volunteer-run facility provides affordable accommodation for patients and their families, particularly those based rurally. Its lease is due to be terminated on 31 October. A Foodstuffs South Island spokesperson said it understood Oamaru House held a special place in the community and some people would be disappointed to see it go. As the landlord, it had a responsibility to ensure the spaces it managed were of a reasonable standard for people to live in, the spokesperson said. "A recent building survey unfortunately confirmed that Oamaru House was in particularly poor condition and was beyond economical repair. "That assessment, along with the fact that two floors have remained vacant for over a year, reinforced our decision not to renew leases and to proceed with plans for its removal. "We truly appreciate the community's connection to this site and hope people will understand why we had to make this difficult decision." The spokesperson did not confirm how many carparks the demolition of Oamaru House was expected to generate. Murray Radka, 77, of Alexandra, said he was "appalled" Foodstuffs planned to demolish the site for additional carparks. "What a huge difference it's going to make for thousands of sick people from out of Dunedin who are going to have to make other arrangements." Radka said he had travelled to Dunedin hospital for treatments, including for permanent lung issues, an aneurysm in a carotid artery, prostate cancer, and a rheumatoid arthritic condition - and more recently a hernia surgery. He was often not strong enough to walk long distances unassisted, so relied on his wife, who had mobility problems of her own. If Oamaru House did end up relocating, he could not think of any other site in the vicinity of Dunedin hospital that was as convenient as the current premises. Before he started staying there, Radka said he would book Airbnbs or other private accommodation. But these could be quite a way out of Dunedin and lacked the support services Oamaru House offered, he said. "You can't put a value on a facility like this, and to think that it will be replaced by a few carparks which I think are going to make very little difference to the operation of Foodstuffs." Oamaru House Trust chairman Tony Caldwell said while the decision was disappointing, Foodstuffs had treated the trust well and he did not begrudge them for it. The trust was given notice on 13 May. Unless a "very big benefactor" came along, the trust was not in a position to lease or buy another building, Caldwell said. "In all probability, if we'd found another building, it would have required a reasonably significant refit or fit out or improvements made to bring it up to standards, of which we didn't have the finances to be able to do that." - This story was first published by the Otago Daily Times
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Towns can keep free car parking but enforcement without revenue a 'challenge'
FREE car parking could be maintained in a string of towns following a review carried out on behalf of a county council. But the councillor responsible has highlighted the 'challenge' of enforcing parking restrictions without revenue from drivers paying for a space. Monmouthshrie County Council appointed a consultant to review its car parking policies with the authority currently providing free to use car parks in some towns and operating pay and display facilities in others. Paul Griffiths, the cabinet member responsible, was asked for an update on the review and any of its findings, especially in relation to Usk, by independent councillor for Usk and Llanbadoc Meirion Howells at the council's May meeting. Labour's Cllr Griffiths confirmed he has received the draft report and said he 'looks forward' to publishing it and said: 'What I can tell council is it makes no recommendation for change in any of those towns that currently have no charges, namely Usk, Caldicot, Magor and Raglan. 'Instead it recommends undetaking, on a town by town basis, engagement with businesses, residents and town councils to test the case for any further changes and I look forward to working with Usk and Llanbadoc to consider how these engagements may be conducted.' Cllr Howells welcomed the answer as 'very good news' and said he had conducted a survey, on behalf of the town council, to which 1,600 people responded and found 93 per cent in favour of retaining free parking. 'For a town of just over 2,600 people this level of response only goes to show the amount of concern,' said Cllr Howells who also asked how the council plans to improve enforcement of parking regulations and restrictions. Cllr Griffiths said parking enforcement and recruiting and retaining traffic wardens, known as enforcement officers, has been a challenge for the council but said action is being taken to address that. He said: 'All of us will be monitoring performance following from that action and Usk residents will note the challenge of funding enforcement when there is no revenue stream from parking charges.' Cllr Griffiths also reminded councillors there had been 'no increase in funding' when responsibility for parking enforcement transferred from police to local authorities 'in the recent past'.
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Six car bays in Sydney's CBD have sold for millions of dollars
If you thought the cost of real estate in Australia could not get anymore unaffordable, a handful of car bays in Sydney's CBD have just sold for millions of dollars. Located within one of Sydney's most enviable addresses, six car bays at 2 Phillip St went under the hammer for an eye-watering $3.65m. The 85sq m concrete slab is located on the ground floor of The Quay, a 29-storey residential building just 150m from Circular Quay and within walking distance to the Opera House and new Quay Quarter. The prime parking bays costing a soul destroying $600,000 each for 14sq m of space were sold by Collier executives James Cowan and Cameron Colquhoun. The sale price was almost double a previous record for a car spot which sold for $304,700 in Bondi last year. In 2013, the City of Sydney restricted carparking in the city to encourage people to use public transport and reduce congestion. The restrictions led to limited parking and high costs in the city with off street parking costing drivers about $40 an hour.
