Vehicle crackdown

from Tweed Valley Weekly, February 23, 2023

Acres of loveliness at Stokers Siding

By Jonathon Howard

THE CRACKDOWN on unlawfully parked vehicles, including boats and trailers, is rolling out across the Tweed Shire following a change in legislation late last year.

abandoned and unattended items, including vehicles, personal items and animals.

off season with the north shore lads and I’m sure they made a lot of fans stand up and take notice.

Plenty of guns are still to return that we haven’t seen but the trials are a necessary evil for all clubs who hope to get through with minimal injuries and get some miles in legs and contact in shoulders.

The other thing it does is allow fans to see some young guns and stars of the future.

Players such as Keano Kini, Kaeo Weekes, Paul Alamoti, Isaiya Katoa, Lofi Khan Pereira along with local stars Tom Weaver and Ryan Foran on show give young players a glimpse into what can be and also the older generation an insight into what is coming.

Some key points from me on our local side.

I think Foran and Verrils are two brilliant signings for the club.

Tough, experienced and classy provide an edge the Titans haven’t had for a long time.

They need a winning season and these two are welcome additions to help with that.

A weekend off for the big guns before we get proper into it.

Let’s hope the CBA and negotiations can be sorted so we know where we stand with the NRLW ASAP

For those hunting some extra footy, follow the Two Flogs footy podcast on Spotify and other platforms released every Thursday to talk all things footy.

I’ll join Kirbs and Gibbo most weeks to discuss the big talking points.

See you at the footy, Quinny.

The first street on the chopping block is Railway Street in South Murwillumbah, where Tweed Shire Council rangers placed several notices on vehicles.

Under the newly revised Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021, which came into effect on November 1, 2022, councils, public land managers and police now have stronger powers and penalties to remove abandoned and unattended property from footpaths, streets, parks, bushland and waterways.

Under the new laws, owners and others responsible for private property left in public, such as shopping trolleys, unregistered and abandoned cars, unattended trailers and stray stock, face stronger regulatory action if they do not remove their property within risk-based time frames.

The new laws make it easier for councils to store and dispose of unattended or abandoned items and animals that they take into possession, significantly reducing red tape and cost for local communities.

Council’s Rangers Acting Team Leader Anthony Morton told The Weekly that two Council Rangers attended Railway Street, South Murwillumbah, on Wednesday, February 1, following reports of unattended property in the state heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station precinct and railway corridor land.

“After the busy summer holiday period, Council Rangers are now responding to all reports of unattended items and vehicles on public land across the Tweed,” Mr Morton said. The new laws are aimed at helping to protect valuable public spaces across the state from

“Ahead of the opening of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail on March 1, Council is looking at ways to retain off-street parking for residents in Railway Street and will be discouraging Trail users from parking in this street.”

There is a grace period from applying fines in place until May 1, 2023, to allow members of the public to become familiar with the new laws. After this time, penalty infringement notices may be issued to the owner which are $660 for a vehicle and $330 for a personal item. Additional relocation, storage and release fees may also be charged.

The time frame for Council action begins when a ranger inspects the property and places a notice on the property.

Once the time frame has lapsed, rangers will attempt to make contact with the owner to have them move their property.

If the owner has not responded, or the property remains in place for a further number of days as per the legislation, the property may be taken into possession and stored safely for a period of time until it is returned, sold, given away or destroyed (as per the Act).

Council said residents are welcome to contact Council on (02) 6670 2400 if they have any queries or to discuss any notice they may have received.