Red Hill Road pop-up car park 'not a concern' for council

The strip of land on Red Hill Road from Henwood Avenue to Plumpton Road intersection was packed with cars listed for sale and a number of onlookers looking to buy a new set of wheels.

Concerns have been raised that the use of the strip as a free market for buyers and sellers of vehicles was an accident waiting to happen.

Due to the number of vehicles using the area, witnesses saw onlookers parking their cars on the edge of Red Hill Road, potentially causing issues for oncoming traffic because there was no room left to stop on the adjacent land.

Some onlookers even carelessly stepped onto Red Hill Road to gain a better vantage point while inspecting cars without any regard for drivers using the busy arterial road.

Despite safety concerns, a spokeswoman said no complaints had been lodged regarding the situation with council and no action would be taken.

The parking of vehicles on the side of Red Hill Road was not illegal, the spokeswoman said.

“Council notes the concerns raised in relation the vehicles parked on the road reserve on the northern side of Red Hill Road between Plumpton Road and Henwood Avenue,” she said.

“An inspection of the area has indicted that no obstruction was noted to either traffic or pedestrians by these vehicles. The area where the vehicles are parked forms a part of the road reserve.”

The spokeswoman, however, did confirm council would investigate any complaints if they were received from members of the public.

Last year, council fined motorists for attempting to sell their cars on the corner of Edward and Moorong streets.

At the time, council’s manager of environmental sustainability and regulatory services Mark Gardiner said parking rangers were well within their rights to fine motorists for parking in the area.

Another car market hotspot used by Wagga residents is Glenfield Road. 

Like Red Hill Road, it has also not been targeted by council for illegal parking.