Dreamers hill

Members of the business community complained that the City was illegally permitting the commercial sale of vehicles on reserve land vested for parking purposes only. These complaints triggered the need to statutorily/legally address the issue.

Rather than close Dreamer’s Hill, Council determined to address the legal issues and manage the reserve in a way that serves the greater community.

Other issues reported at the site include the sale of commercial vehicles, which does not fit with the intended purpose of Dreamer’s Hill. The City had also received reports of people selling large numbers of vehicles from the site, which is again not in keeping with the intent of the site. Nor is the practice compliant with State legislation.

By introducing a permit system, Council is minimising illegal activities while allowing residents to continue selling their vehicles at the reserve.

So that we can control who is selling what and minimise any illegal sales activities on the site.

If a person sells more than three (3) vehicles per year then they are legally obliged to obtain a motor vehicle dealer’s license. Dreamer’s Hill is not to be used by commercial operators. If you and your partner both have a car to sell, you can each get permits for your respective vehicles.

A permit to display a vehicle for sale is valid for one (1) month, specifically four weekends in a row, from the date of purchase. If the vehicle does not sell within that time, you can apply for another permit from the City to sell the same vehicle.

The fee for the permit is $23, which covers administration fees, signage, maintenance and contractor fees associated with changing the use of the reserve and permitting the display of vehicles for sale. The introduction of a permit system is not a profit-generating exercise by the City. If the City was to generate a profit from this system, we would be required to obtain a license from the Department of Commerce. 

Dreamer’s Hill had become a dumping-ground for older vehicles, which could not be sold.  It was an eye-sore and not keeping with the general amenity of the area. All vehicles displayed for sale must be removed from the site by 8am the following working day.

Those persons that do not comply will be issued written warnings, in the first instance, and then fined thereafter. 

Any vehicles left on the reserve (for more than 48 hours) will be treated as abandoned and will be subject to removal from the site.

The management order for the reserve lists ‘parking’ as a permitted use. Provided that there is no ‘for sale’ sign on the vehicle then you can park within the reserve at any time.

Any vehicles left on the reserve (for more than 48 hours) will be treated as abandoned and will be subject to removal from the site.

You can display your vehicle for sale at your residential property. Use of other City reserves or road verges will result in enforcement action being taken (warnings first and then infringement).

You can elect to have the matter heard before a magistrate. Information detailing this option is included on the bottom of the infringement. If you refuse to pay, the infringement will be referred to the Fines Enforcement Registry. If you do not pay the Fines Enforcement Registry, you may lose your driver’s license.

Permits are available from the City of Karratha Administration office during working hours. An electronic application form is available (below). Permit stickers will be issued by Customer Services officers and issued to the applicant at the front counter or mailed to the applicant. Emailed/posted applications must be received by noon Wednesday. Applications made in-person must be registered by 3.45pm Friday.

Display of vehicles for sale, and parking of vehicles at Dreamer’s Hill is at the risk of the vehicle owner. The City of Karratha takes no responsibility for any damage to any vehicle.

The City is only permitting the sale of vehicles at Dreamer’s Hill. No ancillary items/parts are to be displayed for sale at the reserve.

Any person found doing so will be subject to enforcement action by City Rangers.