'Find another space': Sydney drivers divided over parking act

A stoush is brewing between locals in the Sydney suburb of Watsons Bay, the council and the NSW government over parking.

A parking act has divided opinion after a ute was spotted partly encroaching on a Sydney footpath with its tray.

A passerby shared a photo of the ute to social media yesterday, prompting debate over whether the driver was entitled to park in the space.

“Found this close to a busy park where families take their children, mostly toddlers for play,” the person wrote.

“How much reversing onto a sidewalk is acceptable?”

The practice has sparked division, with one driver arguing: “If your car doesn’t fit in the parking space, find another space.”

Others suggested the driver was in the right because they had parked between the lines and left enough space for prams and wheelchair users.

According to parking guidelines set by Standards Australia, vehicles may be allowed to park overhanging a kerb depending on a range of factors.

When reverse angle parking on a street, the obstruction of pedestrians and footpath encroachment should be minimised, the guidelines say.

Parking bays are not typically permitted adjacent to footpaths 2.3 metres or less in width unless there are wheel-stops in place to control rear overhang encroachment onto the footpath by more than 300mm.

Excessive overhang can also lead to footpath obstruction and contribute to excessive exhaust fumes onto pedestrians.

In some circumstances, wheel-stops may be required to control excessive kerb overhang.

While the location of the photo is unknown, both the City of Sydney and Canada Bay Council told 9news.com.au that if a ute or trailer encroaches on a footpath, the driver could face a fine.

Under NSW Road Rule 198, obstructing a footpath can attract fines starting from $275.