Abandoned vehicles

Darwin City Council has regulations in place to remove, or force owners to remove, vehicles abandoned within the Municipality. The Council will begin proceedings to serve notice on the owner of an abandoned vehicle within 24-48 hours of receiving a complaint about the vehicle's presence.

The owner will be served a notice to remove a registered vehicle within seven days or an unregistered vehicle within 24 hours. Any vehicle found abandoned within a restricted parking zone must be removed immediately.

As part of the proceedings Council officers will, if necessary, make inquiries with residents or businesses in the vicinity of where the vehicle is found, to try and identify the current owner. If this is not successful, a notice will be sent by mail to the last recorded owner, notifying that person that if the vehicle is not removed, the Council will remove it at a cost of $136.00 to the owner. The owner will also bear the cost of any newspaper advertising necessary by the Council to advise of the need for an abandoned vehicle to be removed.

The Council will hold abandoned vehicles for a minimum of 28 days after which those in roadworthy condition will be auctioned and those classified as unsalvageable will be sent to a car wreckage outlet.

If you want to report an abandoned vehicle, you must be prepared to supply your name, address and phone number. The Council will not respond to anomymous complaints or reports about abandoned vehicles. You can report an abandoned vehicle by phoning the Council on 8930 0600.

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