Rangers, Compliance and Animals Overview

Rangers and Parking Patrol Officers

Dubbo Regional Council’s Compliance Team are dedicated to investigating your concerns and ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment throughout the Local Government Area. They work hard to enforce laws within their jurisdiction consistently to keep people safe and protect the environment, while ensuring community members can continue to enjoy the local area and lifestyle.

Much of our Rangers' efforts are driven by customer requests, and they’re committed to addressing your needs through thorough investigations.

What our Rangers can help with

Council’s Rangers can assist in investigating and enforcing legislation that Council is authorised to respond to including:

Lost, straying dogs, cats and stock;
Dog attacks, dangerous and menacing dogs;
Noise complaints around dogs, roosters;
Provision of cat trap for stray and feral cats;
Abandoned vehicles;
Obstructions on footpaths regarding over grown trees, rubbish, overgrown verges and signs;
Illegal dumping;
Use of public land;
Overgrown properties; and/or
Parking offences.

What our Rangers can’t do

Council’s Rangers cannot respond to matters that fall under the jurisdiction of other agencies, such as police matters. You can contact:

Your local police for all police matters.
The State Emergency Service for fallen trees in emergencies on private property.
Your supply contractor in relation to electrical or gas emergencies.
Council’s Water and Sewer services for public water and sewer emergencies.

Council’s Rangers cannot assist with:

Speeding vehicles;
Noisy parties at night;
Violence or physical attacks;
Underage drinking;
Fallen trees on private property due to storm damage;
Electrical, gas or water supply emergencies; and/or
Animal cruelty/welfare issues.

Parking and Parking Fines

Dubbo Regional Council provides parking places throughout the Local Government Area through a mix of on-street parking and off-street car parks. Parking hours, especially on-street parking, are time restricted to ensure a regular turnover of vehicles to balance the needs of visitors, shoppers, businesses, and employees.

Council’s dedicated Parking Patrol Officers with the assistance of parking sensors in some locations enforce these restrictions to maintain the balance and flow of vehicles for the benefit of all residents throughout the area.

OFF AND ON STREET PARKING

Free off-street parking (no restrictions)

Dubbo Regional Council provides several convenient and accessible off-street parking locations without time restrictions for residents, shoppers and visitors throughout the region. View a list of the parking areas below.

Holls Avenue car park, between Holls Street and Serisier Street Dubbo
Bligh Street car park, Bligh Street Dubbo
Darling Street car park, corner Darling and Talbragar streets Dubbo
Victoria Park complex, Gipps Street Dubbo
Victoria Park number 1 oval car park, Gipps Street Dubbo
Brisbane Street, corner Brisbane and Talbragar streets Dubbo
Talbragar Street railway corridor, between Darling and Macquarie streets Dubbo
Church Street car park, between Church Street and Myer car park Dubbo
Dubbo Visitor Information Centre car park, between Macquarie and Bligh streets
Dubbo Macquarie Regional Library car park, between Macquarie and Bligh streets
Wellington CBD area

Free on-street parking (restrictions apply)

Dubbo Regional Council provides several convenient and accessible on-street parking locations for residents, shoppers and visitors throughout the region. Please be aware, time restrictions apply to these parking spaces. View a list of the parking areas below.

Bligh Street, between Erskine and Bultje streets
Eastern side of Darling Street, between Wingewarra and Talbragar streets Dubbo
Eastern side of Brisbane Street, between Bultje and Cobra streets Dubbo
Church Street, between Brisbane Street and Carrington Avenue Dubbo
Wellington CBD area

Free off-street parking (restrictions apply)

Dubbo Regional Council provides several convenient and accessible off-street parking locations for residents, shoppers and visitors throughout the region. Please be aware, time restrictions apply to these parking spaces. View a list of the parking areas below.

Myer car park, Brisbane Street - 3 hour parking not including the restricted area for permit holders only
Council Administration Building eastern car park, entrance Darling Street Dubbo - 1 hour parking

Parking map

Download a copy of Council's free parking map to view these locations; Dubbo CBD Free Parking Map (PDF 1MB).

PARKING INFRINGEMENT NOTICES AND FINES

If you have been issued an infringement notice by one of Council’s parking officers for overstaying in a timed parking area or illegally parking, this infringement is issued under relevant state legislation.

You will receive a notification card, it will inform you that you have been issued a penalty notice, if it is safe to do so.

You will receive a penalty notice in the mail from Revenue NSW which will further detail your payment and appeal options.

Once an infringement notice has been issued, all enquiries and appeals should be directed to Revenue NSW details are provided on the Infringement Notice.

Payment options

Online at Revenue NSW (Bankcard, MasterCard and Visa Card accepted).
Phone 1300 138 118 (Bankcard, MasterCard and Visa Card accepted).
Post the payment slip with a cheque made payable to the Infringement Processing Bureau, PO Box 4444, Parramatta NSW 2124. Write the infringement number clearly on the back of the cheque.
Post Billpay.
In person at any Post Office.
In person at any Service NSW or via the Service NSW app.

How to appeal

Please direct all appeals/reviews to Revenue NSW. An appeal on a parking infringement will ne investigated by Revenue NSW which will approach Council for any further information or comment for them to make a decision.

PARKING ILLEGALLY

Parking illegally can cause a number of potential hazards such as blocking access for emergency vehicles and creating access issues for pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues. We respond as soon as possible if the illegally parked vehicle presents a public safety issue. This includes double parking, vehicles parked in restricted areas such as bus stops, intersections, no stopping zones, loading zones, Disabled parking spots or on footpaths, nature strips and across driveways.

Our Parking Officers are working hard to keep our areas accessible and safe and we need everyone to be compliant and play their part. Anyone who believes they had been unfairly fined can request a review of the penalty through Revenue NSW.

PARKING SENSOR ROLLOUT

We are trialling car parking sensor technology in Dubbo’s Central Business District (CBD), designed to enhance parking availability for local businesses and their customers.

As part of this initiative, we’ve installed state-of-the-art sensors in 150 parking spaces along Church, Macquarie, and Brisbane Streets. This three-year trial started, on Monday 22 August 2022, with existing parking limits remaining in place.

So, how do these sensors work? Each device is embedded in the road surface of a parking bay, detecting, and recording when a vehicle arrives and departs the parking bay. If a vehicle overstays the designated time limit, our parking officers will be promptly notified. They can then assess the situation on-site to determine if a parking infringement needs to be issued.

With daily automatic health checks ensuring their accuracy and reliability, these sensors promise to streamline parking in the CBD, making it easier for everyone to enjoy our vibrant local businesses.

Lost, Stray and Noisy Animals

LOST AND STRAY ANIMALS

What to do when your dog or cat is missing

You can use your NSW Pet Registry profile to report missing pets. This locks your pet’s profile so ownership details can’t be changed while they’re missing. Make sure your contact details on the NSW Pet Registry are up to date so you receive notifications if your pet is found. You can also ask around among your neighbours, check local social media group pages as well as in nearby parks to see if anyone has seen your pet.

To notify Council of a missing dog or cat, you can lodge a report on DRC&ME by submitting an 'other request', or contact the Customer Experience Team on (02) 6801 4000. This report be forwarded to Rangers and the Animal Shelter, to assist our team should the animal find its way into our care.

What to do if you find a lost or stray dog

If you find a lost dog wearing a collar or identification tag, please contact its owner first.

If there is no tag or you can't contact the owner, you can take the dog to a vet or approved animal welfare organisation so it can be scanned for a microchip. Vets may accept a stray animal and will then contact us to impound the animal. Please note that vets are not obliged to accept an animal unless it is injured.

If the dog doesn't have a microchip or registration, if the owner can't be contacted or if the animal cannot be restrained, you can lodge a stray animal report on DRC&ME or contact our friendly Customer Experience team on (02) 6801 4000.

What to do if you find a lost or stray cat

Unlike dogs, cats are free to roam and there is no legal requirement for a cat to be secured inside a private property, so it isn't possible to be sure whether they are lost or a stray or whether they are just wandering.

If you find a lost cat wearing a collar or identification tag, please contact its owner first.

If the cat is causing a nuisance or does not have a collar or identification tag, you can request for a cat trap to be delivered to your property temporarily. Council’s Rangers will deliver a cat trap on a first come first served basis and will collect the trap when the animal is caught. Please note, cat traps are delivered subject to availability.

You can request a cat trap to be delivered on DRC&ME or contact our friendly Customer Experience team on (02) 6801 4000.

What to do if you find lost livestock

If you have found stock or if stock is causing a safety hazard in a public place such as being unattended on a road, please contact Ranger Services immediately on (02) 6801 4000.

If an animal has trespassed onto your property it is recommended that you contact your neighbours to identify the owner. The Local Land Services may also be able to assist if the animal is tagged. If you have not been able to identify the owner, Council may be able to assist you in finding the owner or you may privately impound the animal at your expense. If you have concerns or queries relating to livestock associated with the Dubbo Regional Livestock Market, Rangers cannot assist you. Please visit their website, www.drlm.com.au, or contact (02) 6801 4540.

Where are lost dogs or cats taken

Lost pets picked up by our Rangers are held at Council’s Animal Shelter, located in Dubbo. If your pet ends up at Council, owners will need to pay any maintenance and release fee before they can take their pet home. State legislation states that no companion animal can leave an animal shelter unless it is microchipped and registered, this state government fees must be paid prior to your animal being allowed to leave. Council cannot offer payment plans but will work with you to try to get your pet home.

If you have been notified that your pet has been impounded, please call to arrange a suitable time for collection during our opening hours on (02) 6801 4640. If you do not have an appointment, you may be turned away and will not be able to attend.

NUISANCE AND NOISY ANIMALS

We recognise that some domestic animals can create challenges that affect not just individual households, but the entire community. To effectively address these issues, Council takes a systematic approach to assess and document the extent of any nuisance within its jurisdiction before moving forward with investigations.

When we receive a complaint about a nuisance animal, our first step is to assess the details of the report and if appropriate reach out to the owner.

Council can assist with dogs, cats and some livestock in residential areas but cannot assist with vermin such as rats, mice or birds.

If we can assist, we inform the owner of the concern and encourage them to resolve the issue directly. This initial phase allows for open communication and a chance for amicable resolution.

If the problem persists after this initial outreach, we will provide you with a barking dog diary. We ask that you complete this form over a minimum period of ten days. Your detailed observations will help us accurately document the situation and assess the level of nuisance before taking further action. It is essential that this diary is completed and returned to Council as without it, further action cannot be taken. If the diary shows that the barking is excessive then Rangers will conduct a survey of the area to establish more evidence that the dog is causing a noise problem in the neighbourhood. If sufficient evidence is gathered, then Rangers can act against the dog owner to quieten the dog. At no time can Council Rangers impound or destroy an animal due to noise.

Pet Owner Information

Microchipping and registration of cats and dogs is a legal requirement in NSW. The microchip number is the unique identification number for your pet and registration allows for the relevant information linked to that number to be kept up to date on the database including owners contact details. Microchipping and registration is the best way for Councils (or vets) to contact you if your pet is found. Once registered it is free to update your details at any NSW Council, or online at www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au

MICROCHIPPING

Dogs and cats must be identified by a microchip from the time the animal is 12 weeks of age. A dog or cat must not be sold, transferred or given away unless it has been microchipped. Penalties apply for non compliance with this requirement.

Microchips are about the size of a grain of rice and are implanted beneath the animal's skin between the shoulders. No personal information is stored on the microchip, only the unique identification number. Animals can be microchipped by any authorised identifier including the Dubbo City Animal Shelter and Wellington Pound or your local vet.

When purchasing a dog or cat ask the seller for a copy of the microchip paperwork. It is the seller’s responsibility to lodge a Change of Details form with Council or to release the animal to you online at www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au. Once released you can create your own profile online and claim your pet and update your contact details.

All animals impounded by Council must be microchipped prior to release from the Dubbo City Animal Shelter and Wellington Pound. Every animal purchased from the animal shelter will already be microchipped at the time of adoption. For microchipping fees, visit our webpage Integrated Planning and Reporting.

REGISTRATION

In NSW, registration is for the lifetime of your animal. The Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW) ('Act') requires all dogs and cats to be registered by the time the animal is 12 weeks old. Please note, you must register your animal within 28 days of these due dates, or a late fee will be payable with your registration fee.

An additional fee will apply if your dogs and cats have not met the desexing requirements.

Registration cannot be done until your animal is microchipped. The microchip and registration are a record of your ownership of the animal. Registration fees are used by Council’s for providing animal management related services to the community. These may include ranger services, shelter facilities, dog refuse bins, leash-free areas, educational and other companion animal-related activities.

All animals impounded by Council must be registered prior to release from the Dubbo City Animal Shelter and Wellington Pound.

Discounted registration is available for dogs that are desexed prior to six (6) months of age and cats that are desexed prior to four (4) months of age.

Cats that are not desexed by four (4) months of age are required to pay an annual permit.

NSW Pet Registry

Pet owners and breeders can create an online profile with the NSW Pet Registry. You can update your details, notify if your dog or cat is missing, register ownership changes and pay registration fees online.

Breeders are issued with a breeder identification number to record owner and animal information to help track litters over time.

Vets are required to update the register when they desex cats and dogs. Vets are also able to update the register if they believe a pet should not be desexed for medical reasons.

Registering in person at Council

Registration can be completed in person at Council's Customer Experience Centre’s in Dubbo or Wellington or Dubbo City Animal Shelter and Wellington Pound.

To register at Council you will need your animal's microchip number. To claim a pensioner or breeder discount you will need to show documented proof in person at Council. For desexed discount your vet should update the desexed status online to allow you to receive the discount online. Alternatively, you can bring a desexing certificate to Council and register in person. Proof or a statutory declaration may be required to receive working dog registration.

Lifetime Registration fees are set by the Office of Local Government (OLG), and are subject to change. Check the current fee schedule at the OLG website.

Further information regarding microchipping, registration and your responsibilities as a pet owner is available from the Office of Local Government.

ANNUAL PERMITS

In July 2020, NSW Government introduced annual permits for non-desexed cats and restricted and dangerous dogs as part of its commitment to promoting responsible pet ownership and improving animal welfare standards.

How you can avoid the annual permit:

desex your cat by four months of age, or request an exemption from your vet*
don’t own a restricted dog
manage your dog’s behaviour to ensure that it’s not declared dangerous
if you are a breeder, join a recognised cat breeding body

*Cats that cannot be desexed, either temporarily or permanently, are exempt from paying an annual permit. A certificate from your vet is required to qualify for this exemption.

Fines do apply for pet owners who fail to obtain an annual permit.

CHANGE OF DETAILS

Change of details

The information linked to your animal's microchip and registration needs to be kept up to date so we can contact you if your animal is found or injured. There is no charge to update details and you can do so as often as you need to. To update your details it is recommended that you do so online at www.petregistry.nsw.gov.au by creating your own profile and claiming your animals. Alternatively you can complete one of the following forms and return it to Council in person, by mail or email. Alternatively you can visit one of Council's Customer Experience Centres if you require a paper form.

Notification of deceased animal

If your companion animal (dog or cat) has passed away, you are required to notify Dubbo Regional Council within:

28 days for a dog or cat
24 hours if your dog is classified as restricted or declared dangerous

Council will liaise on your behalf to remove your pet from the NSW Companion Animal Register. There is not fee associated with removal; however penalties may apply if you fail to notify Council within the relevant time frame, or you knowingly give false or misleading information.

To notify Council of a deceased animal please complete a Notification of Deceased Animal (PDF 140.8KB) form and submit by email to council@dubbo.nsw.gov.au, in person or by mail.

LEASH FREE AREAS

Dubbo Regional Council provides several areas in the Local Government Area where owners can take their dogs for a run off the leash; including three fenced areas with agility equipment.

Whilst dogs are permitted off the leash in these areas, owners are still legally liable for any damage or attacks that their dog may commit. There are rules governing the use of these facilities to ensure these areas remain safe and friendly for all users, please read them below prior to making your way to a local leash-free space.

List of areas in our region

The following leash-free locations are available for community use in our Local Government Area. Please view the brochure for map reference, or click on the location name for directions.

Leash-Free Areas Brochure (PDF 9.1MB)

Apex Park, Wellington
Bourke Hill Park, Dubbo
Caroline Reserve, Dubbo
Devil’s Hole (lower end of Brisbane Street), Dubbo
Douglas Mawson / Wheelers Lane (fenced), Dubbo
Joan Flint Park, Dubbo
John Oxley Park, Wellington
Joira Road, Dubbo
Kester Leonard – Delroy Parklands (fenced), Dubbo
Mountbatten Drive Easement, Dubbo
South Dubbo Park (fenced), Dubbo
Wise Park, Geurie

Leash-free area rules

The following rules must be abided by in leash-free areas:

Dogs must always be under effective control of a competent person over 16 years of age
Dogs must be on a leash prior to entering or leaving the dog friendly fenced space
No more than three(3) dogs are to be off leash at any one time; in small fenced areas e.g. South Dubbo Parkland no limit for large areas
Owner must provide their own bags and dispose of dog waste in appropriate bin. Fines apply for failing to pick up after your dog
Declared Dangerous dogs or Restricted Breed dogs are not permitted to use the leash free areas
Vaccinations must be current
Your dog must not become a nuisance or show aggressive behaviour
Be considerate of other users by putting your dog on a leash before entering and sharing the facility

Responsibility of owners

To ensure the comfort, safety and health of the community the Companion Animals Act places certain responsibilities on all dog owners including:

All dogs must be microchipped and registered
If your dog is in a public place it must be under the effective control of a competent person by means of an adequate chain, cord or leash
You are not permitted to walk more than four (4) dogs on a leash at any one time in an on-leash area or off-leash area
If your dog defecates in a public place it is an offence not to remove the faeces
Dogs are prohibited in children’s play areas, food preparation/consumption areas, sporting facilities, recreation areas, public bathing areas, school grounds, child care centres, shopping areas and wild life protection areas

Dubbo City Animal Shelter and Wellington Pound

Dubbo City Animal Shelter and Wellington Pound are proudly managed by Dubbo Regional Council. This vital facility serves the residents of our Local Government Area by caring for lost and stray dogs and cats.

Find out more at their dedicated webpage; Dubbo City Animal Shelter and Wellington Pound.

Dubbo Regional Livestock Market

Dubbo Regional Livestock Market is proudly managed by Dubbo Regional Council. The Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets is considered one of the largest selling centres in Australia, in terms of combined sheep and cattle numbers.

Find out more at their dedicated website; Dubbo Regional Livestock Market.

Native Animals and Wildlife

Dubbo Regional Council Local Government Area is home to many native animals and wildlife. Our native animals and birds play an important role in our area’s biodiversity and it is an offence to harm them. Some species help to control pest insects and are involved with spreading native vegetation. Whilst some native animals can have nuisance behaviours, such as swooping magpies and noisy crows, the benefits of living with wildlife outweigh the negative impacts.

Council has limited ability to assist with native animals and wildlife. For example, magpies are a protected species throughout NSW and traditionally swoop for an 8 week period in Spring. Council has no authority to relocate or remove attacking magpies or other birds and can only assist with erecting caution signage on public land. If a magpie is swooping on private land or causing a nuisance, Council cannot assist you with this matter. You can contact the National Parks and Wildlife Office on 02 6841 7109 to make a report.

If you find a sick, injured and/or orphaned wild animal, Council is unable to assist you. Please contact WIRES on 1300 094 737 or visit their website; WIRES Australian Wildlife Rescue Organisation.

Overgrown Properties

An overgrown property can be both a nuisance and a danger to neighbour's and the community. All residents within Dubbo Regional Council have a responsibility to keep their properties neat and tidy to improve the appearance of the community, remove places for vermin to breed and reduce health risks. This also includes the verge which is the piece of land between your property and the road as per Council policy.

Dubbo Regional Council defines ‘overgrown’ as vegetation (grass) in excess height of 30cm that affects the visual amenity of the land and is likely to attract reptiles or vermin or is deemed a fire hazard.

The land can become a breeding ground or a resting place for vermin such as rats, mice and snakes, all of which can live and nest in tall grass, which can cause disease and become a problem for surrounding residents;
Overgrown trees and shrubs may pose a safety hazard to pedestrians and drivers;
The land becomes a fire hazard which may prevent fire fighters from doing their duty and fire can quickly spread to buildings and neighbouring properties; and/or
The overgrown property can also become a dumping ground for rubbish.

How to prevent your property from being overgrown

Keeping your yards free from overgrown vegetation makes our residential areas more visually appealing and protects the community from vermin and reptiles.

Here are a few tips on how to prevent your property from becoming overgrown:

Store goods out of sight in your garage or shed;
Put your bins out regularly as per your collection schedule;
Take advantage of Council's bookable bulky waste or tipping voucher services for waste disposal at our waste facilities;
Store objects or materials out of view and neatly stacked but ensure they do not harbour vermin;
Dispose of old vehicles and machinery - some metal recyclers may collect and remove them free of charge; and/or
Cut or slash your overgrown vegetation regularly (whether dead or alive) and dispose of it responsibly, such as in your FOGO green-lid bin if available at your residence.

Report an overgrown property

In most cases the best way to resolve an overgrown or unsightly property issue is through polite and productive communication between yourself and the property owner. If you haven't already spoken with the resident about the overgrown property, we strongly recommend you try this approach first.

If you have concerns about approaching or entering communication with your neighbour, or these measures have proven ineffective, you can report the problem to Council online by visiting DRC&ME or by phoning (02) 6801 4000 with the details of the property and Councils compliance team will commence an investigation.

How does Council deal with overgrown blocks of land?

Council regulates a range of risks and threats relating to overgrown and unsightly conditions on private property under the Local Government Act 1993. When Council receives a complaint about overgrown vacant land or neglected dwellings, a member of the Compliance team will inspect the property and if necessary, issue a notice to the landowner to remedy the breach.

Council must give due notice (21 days) to the land's owner to remedy the breach and respond to the initial notice. If no action has been taken when the relevant time periods lapse, Council will issue an Order under Section 124 of the Local Government Act 1993 for the landowner to treat the overgrown or unsightly property. The land owner then has 14 days to comply with the order. Failure to comply with the order will result in fines being issued under Section 628 (Failure to comply with orders) of the Local Government Act 1993. The cost of rectifying an overgrown block are the sole responsibility of the landowners.

It is important to note for community members reporting overgrown blocks that achieving compliance under this process may take in excess of six weeks.

Illegal Dumping of Rubbish and Pollution

Pollution and the illegal dumping of household rubbish, garden, building or commercial waste, or other waste material pollutes and damages the environment and impacts on our efforts to be a clean and sustainable city. Every year, Council is required to spend a significant amount of money on cleaning up illegally dumped waste.

Pollution and illegal dumping can:

Lower property values;
Attract other illegal activities;
Cause chemical and physical pollution in our neighbourhoods and waterways;
Spread pests and weeds;
Encourage others to unlawfully dump further waste material;
Pose a fire hazard or accident risk;
Block stormwater drains;
Act as a breeding ground for vermin such a rats, mice, flies and mosquitoes;
Pose a health and safety risk if dumped waste includes sharp objects, asbestos, toxic substances, nappies and medical waste; and/or
Pose a suffocation risk to children (e.g. doors attached to white goods).

REPORTING POLLUTION AND ILLEGAL DUMPING

If you witness a pollution or illegal dumping incident or find illegally dumped material, refer to the contacts below to make a report. Your personal safety is important. Do not approach a person depositing illegal waste or disturb the site.

Report to Council

Lodge an online report by visiting DRC&ME and clicking on the tile for 'Report Dumping of Rubbish to Council'. You must be a logged in user for this function, so if you haven’t already, please create an account. By lodging online, you can enter the details and upload photos of the illegally dumped rubbish.

You can contact Council on (02) 6801 4000 to report illegally dumped rubbish. This method will not enable you to provide photographic evidence of the illegally dumped rubbish.

Report to Environmental Protection Authority

To submit a report, you can call 131 555, email info@environment.nsw.gov.au or submit an online report.

Report to RID (Report Illegal Dumping)

You can submit a report online to RIDOnline.

Report to NSW Fire Brigade

Report emergencies to 000 only where resources are not available to contain material released in a pollution incident, which could potentially threaten public health, property or the environment.

Abandoned and Impounded Vehicles

Parking an unregistered vehicle, whether it is a car, boat, caravan, or trailer on Public Land including on a road, is an offence under the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Act.

Before reporting a vehicle you think has been abandoned on Council land, check the NSW number plate on Service NSW to see if it is registered. Unregistered vehicles can not be parked on Public Land.

Council Rangers investigate reports of an abandoned vehicle by:

Attempting to find the last known registered owner of the vehicle.
Checking if the vehicle is registered or stolen.
Placing a bright sticker on the window while we monitor the vehicle and wait to hear from the owner. For a registered vehicle to be declared abandoned it must remain in the same place for a period of 28 minimum.
Removing the vehicle if the owner takes no action or Council can’t locate the owner.

This process can take up to 45 days before the abandoned vehicle can be processed and removed from the street, however vehicles that pose a safety risk can be removed immediately.

Report an abandoned vehicle

If you want to proceed with reporting a vehicle you can visit DRC&ME to lodge a request or by calling our friendly Customer Experience team on (02) 6801 4000.

It is important that you provide as much detail as possible when lodging the report to assist Council officers in conducting their investigation. Failure to provide detail may result in an investigation not being able to commence.

How do I collect an impounded car?

If your car has been impounded by Council’s officers, there will be an impounding fee as well as daily storage fees payable before the vehicle can be released to you. If your vehicle has been impounded and you would like to collect it, contact Council on (02) 6801 4000 to discuss or visit our Customer Experience Centres in Wellington or Dubbo. Payment can be made in person by cash or EFTPOS at both Customer Experience Centres. Once payment is made, a mutually agreed upon appointment will be scheduled for you to collect your vehicle. Please note, collections may not be available on the same day as you make your payment.

Graffiti and Vandalism

Graffiti and vandalism involves marking or damaging property without permission, whether it’s public or private. This includes things like tags, etchings, and murals, and is illegal under the Graffiti Control Act 2008 (NSW) and the NSW Crimes Act 1900.

We understand how frustrating and disruptive graffiti vandalism can be. It not only impacts the appearance of our community but also comes with significant costs for cleanup and prevention. By working together, we can help keep our neighbourhoods clean and welcoming for everyone, creating a safer, more enjoyable environment for all residents.

Report Graffiti and Vandalism

Council has a responsibility to attend to Graffiti and Vandalism on public land and Council owned properties like parks and playgrounds. If you witness a graffiti or vandalism event, please contact NSW Police. To report an incident of graffiti or vandalism after the fact, you can lodge this report online by visiting DRC&ME or by calling Council on (02) 6801 4000.

Whilst keeping our neighbourhoods and Central Business Districts clean and welcoming is a priority, Council has no authority to attend to Graffiti or Vandalism on private property. Council takes a collaborative approach with private property and business owners by issuing a notification letter regarding the report and providing some helpful information on rectifying the graffiti or vandalism. If you have received a graffiti / vandalism notification, please note, this is not an order. This is Council reaching out to you, providing you with information and resources on rectifying the problem. If you have received a letter and would like to discuss further, please reach out to our friendly Customer Experience team on (02) 6801 4000.

Last Edited: 18 Mar 2025