By Mikayla van Loon
Residents of Cave Hill Road in Lilydale were slapped with parking infringements last month after parking on their naturestrips to avoid damage to their vehicles with trucks passing so frequently.
Construction on the level crossing removal at the Cave Hill Road and Melba Avenue intersection has seen trucks and large vehicles using the residential street as an access point.
One resident, Kerryn, said both hers and her son’s car, as well as others on the street, were fined for parking with either all four wheels or just two wheels on the naturestrip by Yarra Ranges Council.
“We then parked on the road with all four wheels properly on the road and then the next day, we had Metro knocking on our door asking us to move our car,” she said.
“We were like, ‘no, because this is where the council wants us to park because they fined us’ and they’re like, ‘oh, we can’t get our big trucks up here’.”
The next week, Kerryn said a truck went past, sideswiping her vehicle, with the incident caught on their security cameras.
“A truck went past and hit my car. So there was a massive hole in my tire, the whole side of the car was smashed.
“Metro has been fantastic. They came and changed my tire, knocked on my door, told me it happened. Have been in contact with me. I have not heard from the council whatsoever.”
A Yarra Ranges Council spokesperson confirmed the Risk and Infringements, Community Safety Team, Traffic and Customer Service departments were aware of this incident and the inquiry Kerryn later made to have the fine cancelled.
The council also said it was within the rights of residents to dispute fines.
A Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) spokesperson said residents were informed at every point before road or parking impacts may be experienced and “are advised of alternative parking on nearby streets for any residents without off-street parking”.
“Yarra Ranges Council has advised LXRP that it does not support residents parking on the nature strip due to potential damage to heritage-listed trees on Cave Hill Road,” the spokesperson said.
The council spokesperson added that residents were unable to apply for a parking permit, as “[the] council does not provide permits at the moment”.
Kerryn said it wasn’t necessarily the fine but the lack of communication from the council that made her the most upset.
“We’ve lived here for 14 years and paid rates. The last time we got fined was when all the cars were directed up our street, and they were doing the train station. They fined us then, and they haven’t fined us any other time,” she said.
“It’s not just about the fine anymore. It’s the principle. The principle of doing what they did. It’s the principle of not getting in touch with me as they should have done in the first place.
“We’ve put up with so much noise, especially lately, they’re doing the drains behind the house. It is so loud and it’s until three in the morning.
“We’ve not complained. We understand what’s happening. And the principle is not just wiping my fine, it’s that they shouldn’t have been happening in the first place. My car shouldn’t have been hit.”
Kerryn and fellow residents of Cave Hill Road are united in not paying the infringements.
