Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 now in effect

Published on 11 November 2022

As of 1 November 2022, the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 and accompanying Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Regulation 2022 are in effect, helping to protect valuable public spaces across the City of Ryde from abandoned and unattended items and animals.

The new Act repeals the Impounding Act 1993 following the first comprehensive review since it was introduced more than a quarter of a century ago.

The new laws provide councils, other public land managers and police with stronger powers and penalties to rid our footpaths, streets, parks, bushland and waterways of abandoned and unattended property.

Under the new laws owners and others responsible for private property left in public, such as shopping trolleys, unregistered and abandoned cars, unattended trailers and stray stock, face stronger regulatory action if they do not remove their property within risk-based timeframes.

This includes on-the-spot fines, higher court penalties, rapid seizure action and enforcement orders.

The new laws make it easier for councils to store and dispose of unattended or abandoned items and animals that they take into possession, significantly reducing red tape and cost for local communities.

The changes also improve the ability of council officers to track down owners of shopping trolleys and vehicles, reducing the need for impounding action.

Further information about the new laws and what they mean for you can be found on the NSW Government website.