The City of Casey, encompassing suburbs like Cranbourne and Berwick in Melbourne's south-east, has introduced controversial regulations requiring residents to obtain permits for various vehicle-related activities on their own property. These new rules have significant financial implications for residents and have sparked community outrage.
Permit requirements:
- Storing more than two unregistered vehicles for up to 90 days
- Storing long heavy vehicles
- Dismantling, repairing, or servicing vehicles
Costs involved:
- $150 non-refundable application fee
- $250 permit fee for storing three or more unregistered vehicles or working on vehicles
- Total cost can exceed $400 before purchasing any equipment
Application process:
- Residents must provide a site plan illustrating where the activity will take place.
- Applications must be submitted 14 days before the intended activity
- Approval process can take up to seven business days
The City of Casey's Community Local Law prohibits vehicle-related activities on private land "in circumstances where the activity or use is detrimental to the amenity of the area." However, the city hasn't provided explicit guidelines on what constitutes being "detrimental to the amenity."
This new regulation has faced significant opposition from residents, with online petitions emerging to voice concerns. Critics argue that the permits infringe on private property rights and unfairly penalize homeowners for routine vehicle maintenance.
The City of Casey has not specified the fines for non-compliance with these new regulations. As the community pushes back against what they see as governmental overreach, the debate over private property rights and local regulations continues to intensify in this Melbourne suburb.
