Parking controls and zones

Enforcement is necessary because motorists don’t always follow the rules.

Community Safety Officers are on duty to enforce parking controls and minimise problems during normal working hours and other times and locations outside of working hours.

Find out more about parking and the South Australian Road Rules.

Information disclosures

The City of West Torrens may disclose personal information to the following government organisations for the purposes of traffic enforcement:

• SAPOL
• SA EzyReg
• Other state government authorities including, but not limited to, VicRoads (Vic), Road Users Services (ACT), Roads and Maritime Services (NSW), Department of Transport (NT), CITEC (Qld), Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (Tas).

It should be noted that these government organisations may disclose personal information to the City of West Torrens for the same purpose.

Expiation notices (parking tickets) are issued when vehicles are parked contrary to the Australian Road Rules

Further expiation notices may be issued when a vehicle remains parked in the same location after the first notice has been issued.

Find out more about expiations.

Pay a parking ticket online.

Vehicles cannot be parked:

• on any footpath or verge
• on parks or reserves
• across driveways
• within 10/20 metres of any intersection
• in 'no stopping' or no 'parking zones'
• in disabled parking zones without a permit
• in bike lanes
• in clearways or bus lanes during sign-posted times
• near fire plugs or hydrants
• within 3m of a postbox.

Parking in a loading zone is permitted for:

• vehicles meeting the eligibility criteria
• no longer than the time specified on the sign.

Vehicles can be parked for limited periods as displayed on signs located on the roadside or footpath. The signs clearly show:

• the length time you can park e.g. 1 hour
• times when restrictions apply e.g. 7am to 6pm
• days the restrictions apply e.g. Monday to Friday.

Vehicles owned or used by nearby residents, whether actively used or not, are not considered abandoned. We will not arrange the removal of such vehicles solely because they are inconvenient. Before contacting us, please ensure the vehicle meets the criteria for abandonment.

NOTE: Under the Motor Vehicles Act, council staff are not authorised to act on unregistered vehicles. All unregistered and stolen vehicle concerns should be raised with SA Police.

 When is a vehicle not considered abandoned?

The following are examples of vehicles that are not deemed abandoned:

• A vehicle that is regularly used and remains operable is not abandoned.
• Vehicles parked legally in a designated area and compliant with local traffic and parking laws (i.e. not causing a traffic hazard) are not classified as abandoned.
• Vehicles actively involved in construction projects, ongoing activities, or intentionally placed as per the owner's plans are not abandoned.
• Vehicles with clear ownership, supported by valid registration indicating rightful control, are not abandoned.

What to look for when assessing if a vehicle is potentially abandoned

The following conditions are often (but not always) observed in an abandoned vehicle:

• the vehicle has remained in the exactly the same place for an extended period of time (at least 14 days)
• the owner of the vehicle is unknown
• the vehicle may be unregistered (visit: EzyReg to confirm a vehicle's registration before contacting us)
• the vehicle may be partially stripped, missing parts, damaged or causing a hazard
• the vehicle may be missing number plates.

Have you considered…

There are many reasons why a vehicle may not have moved for an extended time, such as:

• The owner/driver now works/studies from home
• The owner/driver now has access to a company car or takes public transport to work
• The owner/driver is a Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) worker
• The owner/driver is a shift worker, only using the vehicle at night-time
• The owner/driver is away on business/holidays
• The owner/driver has sustained an injury/medical condition/illness that prevents them from driving for a period of time
• The owner has been arrested or involved in an accident and the vehicle has been left in this location temporarily.

How long will it take council to remove an abandoned vehicle?

According to sa.gov.au, a vehicle may be considered abandoned if:

• it has been discarded, and
• has been left in the street for longer than 24 hours.

Note: this is an oversimplification and is not 'the law' as such. The pieces of legislation that relate to identifying if a vehicle is abandoned, then towing and impounding it is covered under:

• Local Government Act 1999
• Road Traffic Act, 1961  
• Unclaimed Goods Act, 1987.

Council is required to first prove a vehicle has been 'abandoned' before towing and impounding it. The process for achieving this has many steps. Each of these steps have a minimum legal timeframe attached to it and, as such, we must follow these laws. 

From the initial date that we receive a report of an abandoned vehicle to the date it is towed can often takes months. If the vehicle poses an immediate hazard, we may have the legal authority to remove it sooner.

 Report abandoned vehicles

If you believe a vehicle may be abandoned, you can contact us on  8416 6333. Before contacting us, please have the following information ready:

• vehicle registration number (or VIN)
• vehicle make (brand) and model (if known)
• vehicle type (e.g. sedan, utility, wagon, trailer etc)                                                                          
• colour of vehicle
• location of vehicle (e.g. the street and suburb and what property is it nearest to)
• approximate length of time the vehicle has been abandoned
• is the vehicle parked legally
• are there clear indicators that identify the vehicle has not moved for an extended time (e.g. flat tyres, cobwebs, built up leaves or other visible factors)
• who do you think owns (or uses) the vehicle? (name or address).

Think your vehicle has been towed?

If you are the owner of a vehicle that you suspect has been towed, contact us on 8416 6333 immediately. Please note, vehicles towed on behalf of council will be disposed of after one month. Owners are liable for costs related to towing, storage, and administrative fees.

Unregistered vehicles that are parked on the street are not necessarily abandoned as they may belong to someone nearby.

Unregistered vehicles are the responsibility of SA Police, not the City of West Torrens.

Vehicles which are owned by nearby residents can be parked in the street for any length of time, provided they are parked legally. A vehicle which is on the street and is parked illegally is more likely to be abandoned, rather than unregistered.

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, Council staff are not authorised to act upon unregistered vehicles. You must contact SA Police, 131 444.

Illegally parked vehicles are best reported to our Customer Service team at the time the offence is happening. You can report via our online Chat service or by contacting us on 8416 6333.

Camping or sleeping overnight on the road, public car parks, or Council reserves is not permitted in the City of West Torrens. This includes sleeping in your vehicle.

Illegal camping can impact the community, including public safety, littering, and damage to reserves. If you camp overnight on a road, car park, or reserve, you may be fined.

For information on where you can camp legally in South Australia:

• Visit National Parks SA
• Talk to your camper van hire company
• Contact local holiday parks like West Beach Parks 

Parking controls serve the whole community’s best interests. Controls are put in place to:

• ensure that vehicles are lawfully parked
• ensure that vehicles do not over stay in time limited zones
• remind motorists to avoid penalties and to maintain road safety.

Parking restrictions are imposed by council at and near schools to ensure a safer environment for all children and to optimise traffic safety and movement.

You cannot set down or pick up a school student:

• in any area marked with a 'No Stopping' sign
• within 20 metres before a school crossing
• within 10 metres after a school crossing.
• in any area marked with a continuous yellow line
• in any 'Bus Zones'
• in any 'Disabled Zones' (unless a current disability permit is displayed)
• in any operational bicycle lanes
• in any clearways
• in any lane of traffic. 

More information

A vehicle is not permitted to stay parked in a built up area for longer than one hour if it is:

• over 7.5 metres in length
• and/or 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass or over. 

Vehicles three tonnes or over cannot be parked on a residential premises without approval.

Parking a vehicle over three tonnes on a residential premises is considered to be a change of use from residential use to industrial use.

To obtain approval to park a vehicle three tonnes or over on a residential premises, a Development Application must be submitted and granted. Applications are assessed against the Planning and Design Code which includes consideration of the impact on the local neighbourhood amenity. Find out more about making an application, fees and the decision-making process.

Find out more about parking long and heavy vehicles.