Canberra tow firms blame rising costs and uninsured drivers for surge in abandoned cars

Tow operators in Canberra report a sharp increase in calls to remove abandoned vehicles, attributing the trend to higher repair expenses and more drivers without comprehensive insurance.

Canberra tow companies are experiencing a notable uptick in abandoned-vehicle callouts, with operators like Josh Harrison and Ally Sweeney noting that weekly requests have roughly doubled to about ten per one outlet. They attribute the growth to higher repair costs, declining scrap prices and an increase in drivers who forgo comprehensive insurance, leaving them unable to afford towing or disposal. While the ACT government’s Fix My Street system recorded 11,574 reports since 2022, only around 160 of the 1,300 submissions in the last financial year qualified for contracted removal, and the average resolution time stretches to four-to-six weeks.

Under the Uncollected Goods Act and related legislation, private-property owners must hold vehicles for 14 days and make reasonable attempts to locate owners, while public land falls under the Litter Act and Road Transport Act, allowing Access Canberra to intervene after thorough verification. Senior Director Bob Alford acknowledged the lack of a fixed timeline for investigations, noting the nine-day target is rarely met. Operators also warn that many abandoned cars linger in underground car parks and commercial lots, worsening in condition and sometimes becoming safety hazards.