Parking

The control of parking in the vicinity of schools is a high priority of the City of Melville due to the impact irresponsible parking practices has on the safety of children.

Council has consequently imposed various parking restrictions at schools in an effort to enhance the safety of children who either ride their bicycles or walk to and from school. The restrictions also assist in facilitating the free flow of vehicular traffic in the vicinity of schools.

It is the responsibility of Ranger Services to ensure that these restrictions are complied with and the following information is provided to assist parents and others with their understanding of various requirements.

Meanings of important terms as defined in the City’s Local Laws:

‘Parking’ means :

“to permit a vehicle whether attended or not to remain stationary except for the purposes of avoiding conflict with other traffic or complying with the provisions of any law or immediately picking up or setting down persons or goods.”

‘Stopping’ means :

“to stop a vehicle and permit it to remain stationary, except for the purposes of avoiding conflict with other traffic or of complying with the provisions of any law.”

The terms “No Parking” and “No Stopping” mean that these practices are prohibited during the indicated times.

"Pick up and Set Down Only" Areas

Pick up and set down only areas are designed to allow large numbers of vehicles/parents to pick up or set down their children in a short length of time. These bays are “No Parking” areas but vehicles are permitted to stop or ‘stand’ in them to immediately pick up or set down children.

Parents need to be aware that it is an offence to stop a vehicle in these bays in the afternoons and wait for their children to come out to the vehicle. The child must already be waiting on the footpath or by the road before parents pull into these bays. If parents need to wait for their children they need to make use of general parking areas or the “15 minute parking” areas around the school. This ensures that vehicles are only stopped for less than a minute and enables many vehicles to use the same area during the busiest minutes.

"No Stopping" Areas

Some areas in the vicinity of schools are set aside as “No Stopping”. The reason for this is that stationary vehicles in these areas restricts the free movement of other vehicles in the street. It may be that the area is close to a children’s crossing, or that the stationary vehicles in that area limits the visibility of other motorists. It may also be that stationary vehicles on that particular side of the road narrows the road to the extent whereby traffic flow is severely restricted.

Vehicles are not permitted to stop in “No Stopping” areas to drop off or pick up children at all irrespective of how quickly they do this.

"Double Parking"

When picking up or dropping off children it is essential that parents pull into bays and do not stop alongside other vehicles. Although this practice may only take place for a brief period, it creates a potentially dangerous situation. For example it could mean that other vehicles following have to go three vehicles wide to get past which obviously reduces the driver’s visibility.

This practice is extremely dangerous, illegal and should not take place.

All parents are strongly encouraged to make the effort to park legally which will result in roads being safer to drive on. The proper use of quick pick up and set down areas will allow parents to collect and drop off their children quickly and safely. Although this may at times mean that parents will have to walk a short way to the classes if they wish to meet their children, the brief walk of one or two minutes is well worth it to enhance a child’s safety.

Should you have any queries or concerns regarding parking please contact the Rangers on 9364 0628. An officer will be quite happy to listen to your concerns and/or explain any relevant laws.

Your cooperation is appreciated and it is hoped that this information will help clear up any confusion or misunderstanding on these parking matters.

The following outlines several different prohibited or restricted activities that occur mainly in streets. The State Road Traffic Code details many of these activities as offences mainly for safety reasons. They are also included in the City’s Parking Local Law.

Verge Parking

Verge parking in the City has changed substantially with the introduction of this new Local Law. Previously, residents would have to register their verges in order to prohibit vehicles parking there. Now the owner or occupier of the land only has to give consent for a person to drive, park or stand a vehicle on the road verge adjacent to their premises.

Sale of Vehicles

Advertising a vehicle for sale on part of the road reserve is an offence under the Parking Local Law and Road Traffic Code. Many people do not realise this and get caught out when they place their vehicle on their front verge or on the median strip of a road reserve.

Park or Stand Vehicle Facing Against Traffic Flow

When parking a vehicle on a road, the vehicle must be parked facing in the same direction of the traffic flow. To park or stand a vehicle facing against the traffic flow is an offence under the local law and the State Road Traffic Code.

Parking on Median Strips

Parking vehicles on median strips is not permitted under the State Road Traffic Code and the City’s Parking Local Law. Median strips are usually used to divide traffic and enhance safety, on busy and significant roads.

Please direct any queries concerning the above matters to Ranger Services on 9364 0647.