It's bin collection day and you're struggling to find a parking spot on the street.
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Finally you see one - but it would mean parking in front of someone's bin and blocking it from the garbage truck.
So do you take the spot or not? And, if you do, are you breaking some law or council regulation?
The answer is, no you're not. But you shouldn't do it anyway.
"Yes, it is legal," said a Wollongong City Council spokeswoman.
"It is always preferable and courteous not to do this to ensure a smooth collection, minimise disruption to traffic and reduce the safety risk to operators who would need to get out of the truck to collect the bin."
If the Remondis garbage collection truck finds a bin that has been parked in, the spokeswoman said the driver of the truck should get out to collect it.
Some residents think they've got a way of stopping cars parking in their bin - placing them on the road.
But council isn't in favour of this practice.
"Council strongly advises residents to not place bins on the road surface where possible as it presents a safety risk, as well as an obstruction to traffic," the spokeswoman said.
"In the event that the kerb is unsuitable for bins to be safely placed for collection, we advise customers to contact Remondis directly to discuss a solution."
Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
