Goulburn Street carpark Sydney & D3/D4

[IndusD4]

To anyone who has used this car park [I]prior to Wednesday 12 February[I] please check your high level brake light for scratches. I noticed driving into this car park which has a max height indicated at 1.98 meters you may have hit the height bar getting into the car park.

In my view this is due to where the height bar was located, which is over the ramp into the car park. The ramp into this car park is at an angle then levels out. The height bar was hung over the ramp which meant that when the car levels out the very rear of the car is higher than the 1.98 meters and will likely have hit the height bar.

I say prior to 12 February, as on that day I noticed that Sydney City council upon receiving my complaint letter have moved the bar at my suggestion to the highest point over the car park entrance so this is no longer possible without now actually having too high a vehicle.

The council doesn't want to pay for the light to be fixed, the suggestion was made as there is a 50km/h speed limit on the road in front of the car park and an 8km/h limit in the car park, I must have been driving too fast (sure, try that coming from Elizabeth Street turning right into Goulburn having stopped at the intersection then immediately turn left over a pedestrian walk way into the car park) There is a camera at the entrance but have no video footage of it.

I'll attach a picture of what I believe the issue was where the red dot is the height bar prior to 12 February, the green dot is where it is hanging now. 've only ever driven into it at normal height, but of course due to automatic levelling there may be some differences from one day to the next as far as height of the vehicle is concerned. In any case I would not have expected to ever exceed the 1.92m as the sun visor indicates.

Anyone else had any issues in this car park? Or unexplained scratches on the high level brake light after having used this car park?

Ron

[letherm]

The council doesn't want to pay for the light to be fixed, the suggestion was made as there is a 50km/h speed limit on the road in front of the car park and an 8km/h limit in the car park, I must have been driving too fast (sure, try that coming from Elizabeth Street turning right into Goulburn having stopped at the intersection then immediately turn left over a pedestrian walk way into the car park) There is a camera at the entrance but have no video footage of it.



Ron

If the council was so sure the cause was you speeding I don't believe that they would have moved the height bar. Logic would suggest that your premise is correct and they know it is and moved the bar to avoid further complaints and/or claims. They would probably tell you that you enter the car park at your own risk if you pushed harder for reimbursement.

Martin

[Epic pooh]

Bummer about that - I've used this carpark quite often with no issues - but I always hit and lock access mode before I enter any low clearance carpark because I don't trust them to get their signs right ... my wife always laughs at me for this habit and tells me I am paranoid, so thanks for the story which I will relay to her in the hope she muffles herself in future ;)

[SBD4]

I have LR racks on mine and have not anything when have parked there. Always put it access mode too.

[phl]

Have used that car park twice in the past 6 mths, and fortunately haven't hit anything in normal height. Only time I've hit the bar is at Chatswood Westfield with roof rack on, and forgetting to put it into access height. I suspect the chains might have been sagging, as recently,it hasn't been a problem.

[Homestar]

I would think you have 2 chances of getting the damage fixed by the council. All car parks like that are used at your own risk.

Looks like you could be right though, but unfortunately I don't think that will sway anything in your favour. All the best with it though.

[AnD3rew]

I've given up trying to use Sydney city car parks with my D3 with platform rack on. There are a few which can work if locked in access mode, but very few and never near where I want to be. If I know I need to be in the city I either borrow SHMBO's Peugeot or I take the train.

[IndusD4]

Thanks for your replies. I'll continue the battle though, I can accept entering it "at own risk" however you base this on the information supplied at the entrance - if it says the max height is 1.98m then I think with a car at 1.92m I should be able to enter it without doing any damage either to the car or the car park.

My car does not have roof rails which is why the centre brake light is the highest point at the back of the car. If it did have roof rails, they would have the scrapes not the brake light. ATR tyres but still the same size as originally on the car. Also when driving very slowly into the car park you would not necessarily hear the car hitting the height bar, it is merely scraping.

The council has left the chains where the bar used to hang. I think I will go and take some measurements with the car under these and take more pictures. I'll let you know how I go.

Ron

[RHS58]

Your original post presents the facts and a compelling argument.
Suggest that rather than asking them what they are going to do about it, you should send a letter of demand along with a quote for repairing the damage.
I suspect that they'll come to the party for you.....cheaper for them than taking the legal defence route.
Alternatively you could claim on insurance, present same argument, and let insurer go the council. Hopefully you shouldn't even have to cough up the excess.