Abandoned Vehicles
A vehicle remains the responsibility of its last registered owner. Council will charge the last owner of an abandoned motor vehicle, where they are identified, with the costs of removal and disposal of their abandoned vehicle.
A vehicle such as a car, trailer, truck etc. may be considered abandoned if:
- It is parked on a public roadway, and
- It has been there for an unusual length of time, and
- The registered owner cannot be located, and/or
- It is of derelict appearance.
Reporting an Abandoned Vehicle
You can telephone Council on 07 3069009 to report an abandoned vehicle. To help solve the problem, please have as much of the following information available as you can:
- Location of vehicle
- Vehicle make, model, colour and registration plate number
- How long the vehicle has been there?
- Do you know the name of the owner or where the owner resides?
Removal of Abandoned Vehicles
When Council receives a complaint of an abandoned vehicle, it will be checked and photographed. If identification can be made, the registered owner will be contacted in writing at their last known address, and given seven (7) days to remove the vehicle unless it is:
- In a dangerous position
- Likely to be damaged by vandals
- Obstructing a public way
In these circumstances, or if the vehicle is not removed by the owner in the allotted time, the vehicle will be removed and stored at the registered owner's cost.
If identification is not able to be made, the car will be disposed of to metal recyclers.
Reclaiming Vehicles
A vehicle, that has been removed as abandoned, will not be returned to the owner until such time as the costs of towage, staff time, and storage has been paid in full to the Kawerau District Council.