The car looked to have been involved in an accident when it came to Storey Street with its front bumper missing, said resident Kim Williams. That was five months ago.

“It arrived late one Saturday night in April,” Ms Williams said.

“Apparently the young male owner left it himself – it wasn’t stolen – and he hasn’t been back to claim it since.”

Multiple police cars attended the cul-de-sac the night the car arrived, but residents say they have had trouble rousing the interest of authorities since. 

 “All of us have rung the police and the council countless time and they keep referring us to each other because neither of them have taken any action over it,” Ms Williams said.

“We’re very frustrated. Had it been dumped on Cliff Road it would have been taken away the next day.”

The car has attracted a second-hand dealer – who left a calling card - and some unwanted passers-by. Neighbours worry someone will soon set it alight. 

“Not only is it an eyesore it’s attracting undesirables and possible criminal behaviour, so it makes us feel unsafe,” Ms Williams said.

A spokesman for Wollongong City Council said council would take action over abandoned cars, but an investigation had found “that the vehicle is owned and not abandoned”.

“It is unregistered. As it’s an offence to ‘stand an unregistered motor vehicle in a public street’, Council has notified NSW Police of the vehicle”. 

But Inspector Paul Allman, of Lake Illawarra Local Area Command, said the car had been classed as abandoned on the police system. 

Insp Allman said police had made repeated efforts to contact the car’s owner as part of an active investigation into the April collision. 

Late on Friday, he said an agreement had been reached with council. “NSW Police in conjunction with council will resolve the matter early next week,” he said.

“Abandoned cars will be removed at the owner’s expense and/or with the loss of the vehicle.”