The Finocchiaro CLP Government has introduced new laws today that will enable faster and more efficient management of abandoned vehicles by road authorities.
In September 2025, the NT Legislative Assembly passed the Transport Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 providing safe, efficient, responsive and contemporary transport laws that meet community needs.
With commencement of the Transport Legislation Amendment Act, time frames for a vehicle to be deemed abandoned will reduce from seven days to three days.
Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan said the new laws would make it easier for Government and councils to remove abandoned vehicles.
"Territorians are proud of their communities and to have visible, vandalised, burned-out car wrecks are an embarrassment for locals, and a shock for visitors, harming our community pride and our tourism industry," he said.
"Our new laws are responding to this by making it faster and easier for councils and other authorities to take action, recover funds, and restore the Territory lifestyle."
The Act expands the definition of abandoned vehicle, so authorities are clearly empowered to deal with vehicles causing problems on both public streets and public places, including vehicles left on a verge or across a footpath.
The Act includes:
Expanding road authority powers to remove vehicles that cause danger, obstruction, or inconvenience to pedestrians - not just drivers.Removing the outdated, expensive, and slow requirement to advertise removal of a vehicle in the newspaper.Increasing the assumed value of a vehicle before it can be disposed of, from $1,000 to $2,000, to reflect modern car values.Enabling Police and authorities to enter or cause a vehicle to be entered so that it can be moved, and providing the required protections from liability for Police, authorities, and their agents for the entering, moving, or storing of vehicles.
The process for reporting an abandoned vehicle varies depending on its location.
If the cars are left on NT Government managed roads such as the Stuart Highway, Bagot Road in Darwin or Telegraph Terrace in Alice Springs, head to roadreport.nt.gov.au here and click on "Report a road fault."
If the vehicle is in a public place, or on council roads, you can the notify the relevant authority including the NT Government, the local council, or the land council responsible for that area.
Minister Yan encouraged Territorians to quickly report suspected abandoned cars to the relevant authorities.
"The sooner they are notified, the sooner action can be taken to find the owners, give them notice and have the problem resolved," he said.
