BOWEN resident Andrew Lennard says he wants harsher penalties for people who burn out cars, after a fire-damaged vehicle was left in Calang Street for more than two weeks before being towed away on Friday.
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Mr Lennard said the car was set alight early in the morning and left to smoulder until NSW Fire and Rescue firefighters extinguished it.
“I don’t know whose responsibility it is to move it but it was just left there on the side of the road. It’s an eyesore,” he said.
Mr Lennard said the dumping of burnt-out cars was an ongoing problem in the area.
“I’m really fearful of all of these cars being dumped. Maybe police need to step up patrols and do something about it, it’s not what we want to see here,” he said.
Mr Lennard said it was unclear who residents should call to arrange to have the vehicles removed.
Orange City Council environment and economic sustainability committee chair, councillor Neil Jones said sometimes dumped vehicles became council’s problem by default.
“When a burnt-out stolen car is dumped in the streets of Orange, often the owner doesn’t want anything more to do with it and Orange City Council is left to deal with the mess,” he said.
“Sometimes, the car might be part of a crime scene investigation and the council will wait for police to complete their inquiries. An insurance company might also be involved in assessing and dealing with the wreckage.
“If residents are worried about a burnt-out wreck in their street they can call Orange City Council’s customer service team, and council staff will make plans to take it away.
“In cases like this, a local resident can be the eyes and ears of the community to make the call and let the council know about a problem.
“Council is very appreciative of the assistance that residents can provide.”
