Motor industry annoyed at City over kerbside car sales

WA's motor industry body has slammed the City of Albany for failing to take action against kerbside car sales it claims are among the highest in the State.

Motor Trade Association of WA chief executive Stephen Moir said privately owned cars sold on road verges were a serious concern.

"Albany rates among the worst in the State," he said.

"It has now got so bad that some areas are beginning to look like a car yard, with cars lined up along the road three deep.

"Most other places are not as prominent or problematic as Albany and the councils are willing to try to work with industry to find a solution."

However, the City said the problem was not as bad as the MTA claimed.

City of Albany planning and development services executive director Dale Putland confirmed the City had received correspondence from the MTA and local dealers.

"The City does not accept that kerbside car sales are a major problem in Albany, or that this issue is a major priority for the Albany community in general," he said.

Mr Moir met the City and local dealers in February and said he was "incredibly disappointed" by their "pointed disregard" of the issue.

"Our understanding was that they were going to take action to reduce the incidence of this," he said.

"The reality is they have done nothing. They are saying it is Main Roads and the Chamber of Commerce's responsibility to deal with, which is just rubbish - this is a town planning issue."

Mr Moir met City officials again yesterday in a "last-ditch attempt" for action.

"Albany car dealers are pleading with the council to do something on this issue," he said.

Amity Motors partner Russell Williams said he was frustrated nothing had been done.

"I would like to see some sort of support from the council in policing these people parking cars in front of businesses and, more often than not, not getting permission from the owner," he said.

"It impacts on our business … and the car industry is probably one of the biggest employers in Albany."

Mr Putland said since February, City planning staff had advised several landowners they could be breaching regulations if they allowed vehicles to be sold from their properties.

City rangers have issued a total of 18 infringements on people selling cars on public land.

They have issued 31 warnings since January.