For sale: Seized cars. Two surprised owners
Two Dunedin residents say the city council should be doing more to notify owners about seized vehicles, after both were left blindsided and out-of-pocket.
Edward Ulberg’s car, a silver Nissan Bluebird, was towed from its parking spot on Dunedin’s Manor Pl, after it was classified as abandoned and impounded.
The former city resident has been unable to return from Melbourne to New Zealand due to the Covid-19 outbreak, and a friend had been looking after his vehicle – until it disappeared. "We had no idea who had taken the car.’’
A letter notifying the Australian-based Ulberg never reached him, nor did he see his car listed in a public notice published in the Otago Daily Times on Saturday. It took Stuff several minutes to track down Ulberg, who replied a few hours later.
"They need to do a better job at tracking owners down and not assume something has been abandoned...this is ridiculous because they’re probably going to charge me towing fees.’’
Ulberg said he had since contacted council and was told he would be charged almost $2000, if he wanted the vehicle, which he estimated was worth twice that.
But even if he signed the ownership over he would still have to pay $400 infringement fees.
That’s also a decision facing a Dunedin student, who was also tracked down by Stuff.
In late November, a suspected drunk driver smashed into the back of her Volkswagon Golf, which she had parked at Prospect Park due to the shortages of parks in the student area where she lived. The car, which had cost the Dunedin student $3500, had only been driven three times. The incident left the uninsured car with structural damage, and it was effectively written-off, the student, who declined to be named, said.
Her woes continued when on Crate Day she found the parked car had all of its windows smashed, and the weapon of choice – a large branch – had been left inside the vehicle.
The woman headed to Central Otago to pick fruit over summer, with the parked vehicle left on Queens Dr, Dunedin. "I was going to get my dad to take it home."
She had no idea the car had been flagged and stickered as an abandoned vehicle, and was not aware she had received a letter to her Dunedin flat saying it would be seized until it was effectively too late. "No-one my age does mail, I’ve never got a letter in my life... that is my first letter.’’
It annoyed her that the car could now be sold for parts, and the council may benefit from the sale.
She had called the council on the morning her car was towed from its parking spot, and was told the tow truck driver would call her back. "He's never called me.’’
Last year the council returned four vehicles to the registered owners, of the 30 vehicles impounded, council compliance solutions manager Ros MacGill said. If a vehicle remains unclaimed two adverts are placed, seven days apart, advising the car had been considered abandoned and impounded. If the vehicle remains unclaimed, it is then disposed of via a tender process.
MacGill said most abandoned vehicles impounded and disposed are of low value.
The council does not seek to make a profit from the disposal of these vehicles but does try to cover its costs, which include impounding and storage costs.
Poll: Is it okay to grocery shop in your PJs?
I'm sure you've seen it while doing your weekly shop... In fact, it may have even been you.
What do you think about people heading to the supermarket in their pyjamas?
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14.3% It's fine!
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75.1% It's questionable
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10.6% Other - I'll share below
This one was sent in by your fellow neighbour, can you figure it out?
What is first white then red and the plumper it gets the more the old lady likes it?
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Dunedin - State of Emergency
A state of emergency was declared for Dunedin just before midnight Thursday.
Here's what you need to know:
- A MetService red heavy rain warning is in place for north Otago, Dunedin and coastal Clutha through to 9pm Friday.
- On Friday morning, residents of parts of South Dunedin were still being encouraged to evacuate from their homes if they notice rising waters, or feel unsafe.
- A welfare centre had been set up at Forsyth Barr Stadium for those who have nowhere else to go.
- If residents were worried and needed help getting to the stadium they should phone the DCC Call Centre on 03 477 4000.and ask for assistance.
- There was significant surface flooding across the city, including Peninsula Rd and around the Hoopers and Papanui Inlets, and in Green Island, Caversham, and Musselburgh suburbs. There are also reports of flooding in Kaikorai Valley.
- There was some rockfall on Stone St.
- All households along Dunedin’s Peninsula are told to conserve water due to a broken water supply pipe caused by a landslide.
- Residents can still collect sandbags from South Dunedin (Ice Stadium), Mosgiel (Memorial Park/Gym carpark) and Middlemarch (Showgrounds) throughout the day.
- These sections of the highways are closed:
SH87 Kyeburn to Hyde - Flooding
SH88 Forsyth Barr Stadium to Port Chalmers - Slip
SH90 Waikoikoi to Tapanui - Flooding
- These streets are closed:
About 7am Friday, Dunedin City Council was listing 22 roads as closed:
Kaikorai Valley Road - Kaikorai Valley Road closed between Barr Street and Morton Street - North bound lane off motorway off ramp open - Blocked at Burnside underpass. Closed due to flooding.
Portobello Road - No Detour. Closed due to blockages making the road impassable.
Highcliff Road - No detour in place. Closed due to blockages making the road impassable.
Marlow St - Full length. Closed due to flooding.
Ravelston St - Between Rona St and Cavell St. Closed due to flooding.
Cranley St - Between Cavell St and Marlow St. Closed due to flooding.
Bay View Road - Between Forbury Rd and Prince Albert Rd. Closed due to flooding.
Elwyn Cres -Closed due to flooding.
Dovecote Ave -Closed due to flooding.
Nelson Street -Closed due to flooding.
Loyalty Street -Closed due to flooding.
Tanner St - Inter Rock Side Rd - Closed due to blockages making the road impassable.
Hargest Cerscent - Richardson to Corunna St - Closed due to flooding.
Flagstaff/Whare Flat Road - From Three Mile Hill to Silverstream Valley Road -Closed due to flooding.
Hatchery Road - Closed due to blockages making the road impassable.
Josephine St - Closed due to flooding.
Southdale Road - Closed due to flooding.
Edwin St between Alfred St & Hillside Rd - Closed due to flooding.
Surrey St Closed between Ruskin Tce & Hillside Rd - Closed due to flooding.
Gladstone Road South - Closed between Riverside Road and Gladfield Road due to flooding - Closed due to flooding.
Old Brighton Road - closed between 100 Old Brighton Road and Jeffcoates Road - Closed due to flooding.
Nisbet Street - Closed due to blockages making the road impassable.
Learn more on Stuff or on the DCC website and DCC social media channels.
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