Abandoned Vehicles

It is an offence in NSW to abandon a vehicle in a public place. If not managed properly, abandoned vehicles can pose a safety risk to both road users and pedestrians.

Owners are required to remove their unattended property from public land under the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 and related regulations. This includes motor vehicles.

Contact us by phone or email to report an abandoned vehicle — or use the free Snap Send Solve service to lodge your report online.

At a minimum, please provide the vehicle's location, the length of time it has been left abandoned, make (e.g. Toyota, Ford, etc.), model (Camry, Falcon, etc.), colour, and number plate (if present).

How Council handles abandoned vehicle complaints

When Council receives a complaint about an abandoned vehicle, we formally notify the owner that their vehicle is causing a safety risk/obstruction, or has been left unattended in one place for too long.

In this context, the term "vehicles" includes boat trailers, other trailers and caravans.

Once notified, the owner must respond and move the vehicle

  • Immediately if causing an obstruction or safety risk

  • Within 3 days if unregistered, or registered but unable to be legally driven (e.g. due to damage), and left unattended in one place for more than 15 days

  • Within 15 days if registered and left unattended in one place for more than 28 days

What happens if an abandoned vehicle is not collected or moved

If the above timeframes are not met, Council may:

  • Move the vehicle to a safer place nearby

  • Take possession of the vehicle and move it to a place of storage and issue a fine

What happens when an abandoned vehicle is impounded

Under the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 and related regulations:

  • Council can destroy or dispose of any abandoned vehicle we determine to be worth less than $1500 immediately upon taking possession of such a vehicle

  • Council can hold abandoned vehicles we determine to be worth more than $1500 in impound

  • The owner of an impounded vehicle must pay the accrued impound charges before the vehicle will be released to them

  • If an impounded vehicle worth $1500 or more is not claimed by the owner within 28 days, Council can sell the vehicle to recover all incurred costs

It is important to note that just because the Act permits Council to take a particular action, it does not necessarily mean that we will take such an action in every circumstance.

For example, we may seek to sell vehicles with a value below $1500 rather than destroy or dispose of them directly upon taking possession.

Purchasing an abandoned vehicle

When Council has abandoned vehicles available for purchase, they will be listed on the webpage below.

Terms and conditions apply. See webpage and sale listing for details.

You may download a copy of the expression of interest (EOI) form for the purchase of an abandoned vehicle below.

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