Check the signs before you leave a parked car
Published on 16 April 2025
It’s school holiday time and that means we have an influx of visitors around the Macleay Valley, staying in the coastal villages and visiting family and friends.
Car parking rules are an important part of keeping our roads safe, clear, and fair for everyone, particularly in holiday times. Whether you're a local or just visiting, it’s worth knowing what the rules are and carefully checking the signs for restrictions and other conditions before leaving your car.
Did you know you cannot park on a footpath or nature strip unless the sign says so? This is for reasons such as it can force pedestrians onto the road, can make them less visible to oncoming cars and can restrict access for wheelchair and pram users. Many of the parking rules and guidelines, particularly safety checks and no parking areas are set by the NSW Government road safety conditions.
Some specific restrictions are set by the land use planning documents covering the Kempsey Shire. These rules cover things like how many parking spaces are needed for different types of buildings, how wide driveways should be, and facility specific parking restrictions.
The aim of all parking rules is to balance the amount of parking allowed with traffic that flows smoothly, allowing everyone to get around safely.
Council rangers and NSW Police can issue fines for things like parking in no-stopping zones, blocking driveways, or overstaying time limits. In busy tourist spots like Crescent Head, time limits and overnight parking bans are also in place to prevent people from camping illegally or taking up space for too long.
Council works closely with Transport for NSW and local police through the Local Traffic Committee. This group helps decide where signs, road markings, and traffic calming measures should go.
Kempsey’s parking rules aren’t just about enforcement—they’re about keeping the roads safe and accessible for everyone. Parking is more than finding a space – it’s about following the rules and signage in place.
More information on parking rules in NSW can be found at ksc.pub/nsw-parking