NSW Local Government Minister Don Page has welcomed news that Sydney City Council has acted on legislation passed by the NSW Government to deter backpackers from clogging inner-city streets for long periods of time while they sell their vans.

Last month, Mr Page announced that the NSW Government would support a Private Members Bill seeking to amend the Local Government Act to give Sydney City Council the power to erect signs in their municipality prohibiting the roadside parking of vehicles that are for sale.

Support for the Bill came after Mr Page met with community representatives of Potts Point in September to hear their frustrations over the number of tourists who are using residents’ on-street parking spaces as basic camping grounds, living in their parked vans until they can sell them, and using their bins and taps.

“Some of the stories I heard from the residents about their bins and taps being used, their parking spaces being taken up for long periods, and people basically living in front of their homes, was very disturbing – and they told me it gets worse in summer,” Mr Page said.

“It is good to hear that Sydney City Council has today started to act on the new legislation, which was passed by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government last month.”

Signs banning the on-street sale of backpacker vans will be erected in Potts Point and Kings Cross and some surrounding areas from today, and a new backpacker car market has been set up in a Kings Cross carpark.

“It appeared to be a unique problem because Potts Point has become known in the backpacker community as a site for selling vans, as there was once a local carpark from which these tourists could sell their vehicles, but that facility was removed,” Mr Page said.

“I welcome news that the legislation is being acted upon and that those concerned residents who spoke to me about their frustrations can have a little more peace of mind.”