Sydney woman fined $283 for parking in her own driveway

A Sydney woman was shocked to receive an eye-watering fine for parking in her Bondi driveway on Thursday.

The parking act is technically illegal, but commonly misunderstood - the catch is, it’s actually considered Crown land.

“Has there been a recent change in parking on Warners Ave?” Bondi local Jäclyn Clairé wrote on Facebook.

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“I park in my driveway, leaving ample room for a double pram, as my car doesn’t fit in the garage. I’ve never had a problem until this ticket today.”

Clairé’s community query sparked a parking debate online. “I would definitely fight this,” one Sydney man said. A chorus of locals confirmed that they too had been committing the parking act without penalty.

“We do the same, and a ranger told us that this is absolutely fine,” one person said.

“Up in my street there are dozens of cars doing this (which) never get fined unless someone complains to council,” another said.

But others didn’t view the road code as leniently.

“Rules are rules,” one person said.

“All land beyond the garage door is Crown land.

“Car drivers need to take more responsibility with their vehicle and home living choices. If this means moving elsewhere with better parking, then so be it.”

According to the NSW Road Rules: “You must not stop or park your vehicle across a driveway unless you’re picking up or dropping off passengers.”

A Waverley Council spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au: “This has always been a fineable offence under the Australian road rules.”

But some commented that the act is not always enforced, leading to confusion.

“I think the rangers just don’t fine cars consistently enough for people to know it’s illegal,” one person said.

Council confirmed they had been letting it slide when sufficient room on the footpath was being ensured by motorists, but added that action was taken after a number of complaints were received.

“Council has previously accepted this practice as long as vehicles are not encroaching/obstructing the footpath and acted on complaints,” a Waverley Council spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.

“Due to recent ongoing high volume of complaints from residents and NSW Fire and Rescue, action is being taken.”

Locals reported receiving a letter on April 17 warning them of a crack down.

“Council letterboxed residents earlier this year as a courtesy Educational reminder and advance notification that parking officers will shortly be visiting the street to enforce parking legislation,” a Waverley Council spokesperson confirmed.

The council cited a complaint from NSW Fire and Rescue, which was unable to pass through the Warners Ave with a Fire Appliance needed to respond to an emergency, for the council’s compliance response.

The council also cited complaints from residents about not being able to safely use the footpath in Warners Ave, from parents with young children that are not able to push a pram safely in this area.

One pram user said: “I (have) found it hard to navigate streets in North Bondi as many cars don’t leave space for double prams. This behaviour forced me to push my pram onto the road every single day.”

Locals reported they have been planning to escalate concerns over the crackdown.

“The residents of Warners Ave are currently in discussion with one another with the hope to take this further with council to come to a mutually beneficial arrangement for residents, local shops and visitors,” one person said.