This Australian city wants to charge people to work on their cars

Residents of Victoria’s most populous region have to pay upwards of $400 just to work on their own vehicles, after a local government area imposed strict rules around private land use earlier this year.

The City of Casey in Melbourne’s south-east, which includes suburbs like Cranbourne and Berwick, requires residents to apply for a private land use permit if they’re planning to store more than two unregistered vehicles for up to 90 days, store long heavy vehicles, and even dismantle, repair or service vehicles.

Residents of the local government area must provide a site plan that illustrates where the activity will take place when filing for a permit.

Applying for a permit costs $150 (a non-refundable sum which the City of Casey retains even if the application is unsuccessful), while the permit fee for storing three or more unregistered vehicles, or working on your own vehicle is $250.

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According to the City of Casey’s Community Local Law, those without a permit mustn’t dismantle, repair or service vehicles on private land “in circumstances where the activity or use is detrimental to the amenity of the area in which the private land is located”.

While the City of Casey doesn’t have explicit guidelines on what it defines as being “detrimental to the amenity of the area”, the laws mean residents could be made to seek approval to do something as simple as an oil change, which could cost more than $400 before purchasing the relevant equipment.

To add another layer to the process, permit applications must be received 14 days before the date for which the permit is needed.

After lodging a permit application, the City of Casey advises residents it may contact residents if more information is needed, and that if the inspection is satisfactory, it’ll approve the permit within seven business days.

The City of Casey hasn’t explicitly detailed how much residents will be fined if they do not submit a permit application or carry out the activities without one.

The private land use permit requirement has drawn the ire of residents of the region, who have taken to online petitions to voice their concerns with the City of Casey.

“It is vital to recognize the imposition this decision places on homeowners,” said the ‘Casey Crime Page’, which started a Change.org petition.

“It contradicts the core principle of private property rights, under which we should have the right to use our land as we see fit without governmental intervention, as long as we aren’t causing harm or nuisance to others. This decision also reflects a breach of trust from city administrators who should aim to protect ratepayers’ interests, not penalize (sic) them.

“We call upon the City of Casey Council to reconsider this permit requirement. Let’s stand together to protect our rights and freedoms associated with private land use. As homeowners and active community members, we demand an immediate review of this regulation.”