VIC Residents Win: Vehicle Permit Fees

Melbourne’s City of Casey council has put a pause on its contentious private land use permit fees following significant community backlash. The temporary suspension comes as the council embarks on a full review of the policy, which has faced widespread criticism from residents.

Why Were These Fees So Controversial?

The City of Casey, Victoria’s most populous municipality with a population of about 400,000, enforces strict regulations on vehicle storage and repair on private property. Under the current policy, residents must apply for a private land use permit if they:

Store more than two unregistered vehicles for up to 90 days
Store long heavy vehicles
Dismantle, repair, or service vehicles on their property

Residents filing for a permit must provide a detailed site plan illustrating where these activities will take place. The rules, though in effect for several years, gained attention in late 2024 when changes implemented in December 2023 granted council officers the authority to seize and impound property without prior warning.

A Flashpoint in Community Tensions

The issue escalated when local resident ‘Rodney JT’ claimed his Holden Commodore ute and BMW 3 Series were impounded because he didn’t obtain the necessary permits. The City of Casey defended its actions, stating that multiple warnings had been issued and the vehicles were not stored legally on his land. However, the incident galvanized opposition, with residents voicing concerns over excessive regulations and a lack of clarity surrounding the enforcement of the rules.

This week, amid mounting pressure, City of Casey councillors voted unanimously to suspend the permit and application fees and conduct a comprehensive review of the system.

Council Promises a Thorough Review

City of Casey Mayor Stefan Koomen acknowledged the public’s frustrations and committed to a transparent review process.

“I want our community to know that as your new Councillors, we are listening to the feedback and we are taking action,” said Cr Koomen.

“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 will also be comparing our local laws to those of other Council areas to ensure they are fair and in line with the sector.”

What Happens Next?

While the review takes place, permit-related fees have been suspended to prevent financial disadvantage for residents. The council will assess the fairness of its local laws and how they compare to similar regulations in other municipalities.

Previously, residents were charged $150 to apply for a permit—an amount the council kept even if the application was unsuccessful. If approved, the permit fee for storing three or more unregistered vehicles was an additional $250.

The City of Casey announced the review earlier this month, but tensions have remained high. In response to heated debates and alleged abuse from residents, the council shifted its monthly meetings to an online format, with plans to return to in-person meetings once tensions cool.

“On behalf of the new Councillors, please be reassured that we are listening to our community, taking action and we will keep you updated as the review progresses,” Cr Koomen added.

“We’re looking forward to returning back to our normal in-person format as soon as we can.”

CarExplore's Thoughts

The City of Casey’s decision to suspend the vehicle permit fees and undertake a full review highlights the power of community advocacy. While the council insists that the regulations aim to maintain neighborhood amenity, residents argue they have been excessive and unfairly enforced. The outcome of this review could set a precedent for other municipalities grappling with similar issues.

For now, residents can breathe a sigh of relief—but the fight for clearer, fairer regulations is far from over.