Parking Fine Madness – Cessnock

A Cessnock resident has taken to social media after receiving a $268 fine for parking in his own driveway for obstructing the nature strip in which his driveway is built across, this has caused a bit if stir on social media to who is in the wrong.

Let’s assume the image is exactly how the cars were parked at the time of the fine being issued. The car is indeed obstructing the nature strip but there are exemptions to road rule 197.

Road rule 197

The NSW road rule number 197 prohibits parking on footpaths and nature strips. However parking is allowed on road related areas that are specifically intended or constructed for the purpose of parking of vehicles.

Is a driveway a road related area?

Road related area is defined in rule 13. 2 Adjacent land or a road related area can include a driveway, service station or shopping centre.

But there is also a rule that says you can’t park within 3 meters of a mail box.

Should this Cessnock Resident be fined for parking in his driving I say no but the law kinda says it can.

Remember, I’m not a lawyer and this my interpretation of the law and I would absolutely fight this fine.

On second look at this photo, both cars are within 3 meters of the mail and technically this resident can’t park in his driveway.