Here’s a stern warning (and a very naughty suggestion) from a reader.
Jimmy, clamping wheels is a breach of the Impounding Act, and also the Local Government Act. The fine is 20 penalty units (that’s $2,200 + costs in layman’s language) – private or public property. Not even a copper can do it without a court order unless the car presents imminent danger. Time to warn the strata vigilantes!
He goes on …
FYI here’s section 651 B of the Local Government Act:
And this one’s the Impounding Act – but you have to be an “impounding officer” – a grand title bestowed upon you by the RMS.
And finally …
You want a solution that works?
Sugar in the fuel tank.
Silent, untraceable and they never come back!
Hmmm … yeah. Sugar in the fuel tank is criminal damage and may be subject to even more severe penalties than clamping.
However, you might, as a last desperate resort, try a packet of cafe sugar liberally sprinkled around the petrol cap with a post-it note on the driver’s window saying “Dear Parking Thief, I have put sugar in your petrol tank. Don’t drive until you have emptied and flushed your tank or you could ruin your engine.” Result: Much hassle and anguish for the parking thief without breaking the law.
Oh, and I’m going along with the opinion that a clamping by-law gives the owners corp de facto permission to clamp owners and tenants cars until such times as I am proved wrong by an owners corp being successfully prosecuted.