00:02If you think there are more abandoned cars on Canberra roads and they're taking longer
00:07to disappear, you're not alone.
00:11Tow operators are reporting more call-outs, while the ACT government says its removal
00:16process typically takes at least a month.
00:19In the last probably 12 to 18 months there's definitely been an increase in abandoned cars.
00:24Just look at the Tuggerong Parkway, the Majura Parkway any day of the week, you know, there's
00:27two or three vehicles just sitting there waiting for someone to take them away.
00:30Roadside removals are the responsibility of Access Canberra, which investigates public reports
00:36lodged through Fix My Street.
00:38Last financial year more than 1,300 related to abandoned vehicles.
00:42The government says only a fraction of those qualified.
00:46Just over 160 of those were identified as abandoned vehicles in the ACT, around about the same
00:51amount over the last few years, it hasn't really changed dramatically.
00:55But it seems roadside reports are only one element of a problem that's driven, in part, by rising
01:01repair costs, cost of living pressures and insurance write-offs.
01:06For every abandoned car you do see out on the streets, there's probably, you know, two,
01:09three, four in, like, publicly accessible underground car parks as well.
01:14So people are just going with their standard CTP and, you know, that doesn't really cover
01:18anything in terms of towing or removal.
01:20Every vehicle abandoned on a public road must be investigated before it's removed, including
01:26genuine attempts to contact the owner.
01:28We have an accountability indicator that looks at trying to actually resolve the issue within
01:33nine calendar days, but we usually find that that's not feasible.
01:38The process typically takes four to six weeks.
01:41They get worse and worse in condition as they stay on the roadside longer and longer.
01:46So often they'll be set on fire, their windows will be smashed.
01:48Out of action.
01:49Not out of sight.
01:51Out of action.
01:51Out of action.
01:51Out of action.
01:54Out of action.
01:56Out of action.
01:56Out of action.
01:56Out of action.
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