Council backflips on 'useless' parking rule enraging residents

It's a contentious parking habit that has seen one Sydney council at loggerheads with its residents for years.

But it seems Liverpool City Council has eventually given in, and now plans to allow its residents to park their cars on nature strips.

The council has clashed with residents who complain narrow suburban streets meant navigating them was becoming increasingly difficult with cars parked on either side of the road.

Last year council warned residents they would be slapped with $275 fines if they continued to park on the nature strip. One resident told A Current Affair at the time such a fine was "useless" and would not fix the problem.

Local MP praises council's change of heart

Member for Leppington Nathan Hagarty said council's plan to scrap the rule was a "win for common sense". He revealed vehicles would be allowed to park on the verge where there is a roll back kerb as long as it was not blocking the footpath or obstructing drivers' views.

"Thank you to the many frustrated residents who have contacted me about this issue over the years," he said, sharing a graphic of what was and wasn't allowed with the proposed change.

A draft policy will be put forward for approval at next Wednesday's council meeting.

Council had previously said parking on the nature strip was proving to be a safety issue for residents.

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Community members welcomed the decision online, however some were concerned it would encourage more cars to be parked on streets in the area. Some feared nature strips would suffer damage as a result, despite the proposed rule forbidding vehicles that will rip up the verge.

Parking on nature strips is illegal under NSW legislation, however some councils rarely enforce the rule.

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