Australian council halts controversial car permit laws after community outcry
03/20/2025 02:00 PM
The City of Casey has paused controversial land permit laws that would see residents fined for working on their own vehicles on their own property.
A Melbourne council has paused a controversial Private Land Use permit scheme that would have seen car owners fined nearly $500 for parking unregistered vehicles – or working on cars – on their own property.
It follows widespread community backlash over the plans, rolled out by City of Casey in Melbourne’s south-east late last year.
The rules were intended to clear land of "unsightly" cars, and meant owners needed to pay a $150 application fee to then apply for a $250 permit for each unregistered vehicle on their property above a free limit of two.
Long or heavy vehicles were priced at $473 per vehicle, shipping containers on properties were $350, and recreational vehicles such as motorbikes, quad bikes, and go-karts were $150 each.
MORE: Opinion – You want me to get a permit to work on my cars? Come and fine me
However, it also stipulated the permit was required for owners to work on their own cars, which car enthusiasts took umbrage with as multiple cars are often required to complete a build or finish a project.
“A person must not, except with a permit, use private land to: (a) dismantle; (b) repair; or (c) service vehicles or machinery in circumstances where the activity or use is detrimental to the amenity of the area in which the private land is located,” the rules stated.
However, the City of Casey has decided to pause enforcement of the controversial rules, with Mayor Cr Koomen acknowledging the pushback from the public.
"I want our community to know … we are listening to the feedback and we are taking action," Koomen said.
"We believe a comprehensive review of the local law is the best way to ensure that our local laws are truly meeting the needs of our community.
"Genuine community consultation will be a key focus of this review, and we want our community to know that their voices will be heard throughout this process.
"We don't want any residents to be financially disadvantaged while we are conducting the review, so we will be temporarily suspending the fees related to the Private Land Use permit for the time being."
Last month, in a City of Casey council meeting, discussions had to be tabled after the public booed and heckled members.
The meeting was adjourned after 90 minutes, and the council members needed a police escort to exit the premises, according to The Age.
While the main purpose of the meeting was the field questions surrounding a proposed waste transfer station in Hampton Park, queries were also submitted about the confiscation of unregistered vehicles stored on private land.
According to the City of Casey, more details on the permit revision will be announced in the coming months.
"Please be reassured that we are listening to our community, taking action and we will keep you updated as the review progresses," Koomen said.
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