A neglected Nissan Maxima left in the city’s Uptown shopping centre car park for over two years has accumulated a staggering $75,000 in parking fees, highlighting a growing issue of abandoned vehicles across the city.
The Abandoned Nissan Maxima
The 1990s-era Nissan Maxima 30G has been sitting untouched on the top level of the Uptown car park since 2022, covered in thick layers of dust and grime. The car, now unregistered, has become an eyesore for shoppers and a headache for car park management. When it was first parked, the shopping complex was still known as The Myer Centre, before its rebranding to Uptown in 2023.
At a daily parking rate of $68, the vehicle’s estimated fee as of January 2025 totals $75,616—more than 13 times the car’s current market value, which ranges between $3,740 and $5,500. A spokesperson for the shopping centre said the priority is to free up space for customers, but removing the car is a lengthy and complicated process.
The Challenge of Removing Abandoned Vehicles
Under Queensland regulations, abandoned vehicles on private property cannot be removed until six months after their registration expires. This delay often leaves car park operators in limbo, unable to reclaim valuable parking spaces.
The Uptown car park is now nearing the end of the removal process for the Nissan Maxima, but the owner is unlikely to return. If they do, they would face a release fee rather than the full parking bill.
The issue is not unique to Uptown. Brisbane Airport has also struggled with abandoned vehicles, including a Mazda sedan left in the short-term parking area since November 2023. The car, missing number plates and a window, has racked up an estimated $6,500 in fees and has since been moved to the airport’s abandoned vehicle holding area.
A Wider Problem Across Brisbane
Abandoned vehicles are a recurring problem in Brisbane, particularly in high-traffic areas like shopping centres and airports. Last year, around 50 cars were left in Brisbane Airport’s car parks, many by tourists who parked their vehicles before flying overseas. A Brisbane Airport spokesperson said these cars are often unregistered and in poor condition, with owners making no effort to retrieve them.
When abandoned vehicles are not claimed, they are eventually sold in compliance with regulations. Any remaining funds after fees are deducted are handed over to the Commonwealth.
What Can Be Done?
Council defines an abandoned vehicle as one left for more than 24 hours in a time-limited parking bay or more than seven days in an unlimited bay, provided it is unregistered. Members of the public are encouraged to report abandoned vehicles to their local council, which will attempt to locate the owner before taking further action.
For private car parks, towing operators must have permission from the property owner to remove vehicles. This often results in prolonged delays, as seen with the Nissan Maxima at Uptown.
Published 29-January-2025
