Persistent Problem Remains In Residential Areas
Wyndham Council has acknowledged that fines alone are unlikely to stop illegal truck parking across the municipality, despite thousands of infringements being issued each year.
A council report presented on 22 September found illegal truck parking remains a persistent problem, particularly in Truganina and Tarneit, affecting neighbourhood amenity, road safety, visibility and noise.
Council issued 14,288 truck-related infringements between 2023-24 and 2025-26, averaging about 4,763 each year. Truck offences accounted for roughly one in every 10 council infringement and warning actions during that period.
The introduction of a dedicated after-hours parking patrol has significantly increased enforcement. Since it began, 2,389 infringements have been issued to trucks parked for longer than one hour, compared with 1,159 during the equivalent period before the patrol was introduced.
However, repeat offending remains an issue. The report found 40 per cent of trucks fined for parking longer than one hour had received more than one infringement for the same offence during the previous five years.
The current penalty is $125, which the report said was often absorbed by operators as a business cost, reducing its effectiveness as a deterrent.
Enforcement Is Also Complicated By Victoria’s Road Rules
Council’s legal advice found many indented parking bays are considered “road-related areas”, meaning the one-hour restriction does not apply in the same way and council may be unable to fine a truck despite community concerns.
The report also points to Wyndham’s growing freight and logistics sector and limited availability of suitable heavy vehicle parking as factors contributing to trucks being parked in residential areas.
Council unanimously backed an education and information blitz alongside continued enforcement and will consider introducing a second evening patrol through its 2027-28 budget process.
Council will also pursue changes to Victorian road rules, including stronger enforcement provisions and increased penalties, while exploring longer-term options for legal heavy vehicle parking.
