Bad move’: Bunnings confirms controversial carpark rule   :(
The Aussie hardware company has confirmed that it has introduced a change to many of its carparks – leaving customers divided.


News.com.au
April 2, 2025

A major Aussie retailer has confirmed that it has introduced a controversial carpark rule to many of its locations, leaving customers divided.

Bunnings confirmed to news.com.au that it had brought in paid parking to its Caroline Springs store, west of Melbourne, after a snap of an enormous Secure Parking sign was shared to Reddit.

The sign revealed the first hour was free, but people could park for a total of 24 hours for $40.

Rod Caust, Director of Stores at Bunnings, told news.com.au: “Similar to other stores like Hawthorn and Maribyrnong, we have recently introduced paid parking at our Caroline Springs store to ensure there’s enough parking available for our customers at all times of the day.

“The first hour of parking is free, and Bunnings customers are invited to discuss circumstances requiring extended parking (such as participation in DIY activities) with our friendly team.”

News.com.au understands that this is not a nationwide change at all Bunnings stores, but is the case at select locations around Australia.

Bunnings confirmed to news.com.au that it had introduced parking at its Caroline Springs location, west of Melbourne.

Customers have expressed their frustration over the change, demanding to know why it was put into place. Others called it a “cash grab”, while some suggested that an hour wasn’t a very long time to spend at the retailer.

“I’m guessing people were using it as an all day carpark when it’s supposed to only be for people shopping there. I still think two hours is better,” one person commented.

Another added: “Is it free if you buy something? One hour isn’t very long in Bunnings.”   :(


“$40 day max?! That’s way more expensive than paying for early bird day rates in the CBD,” one social media user added.

Fans were divided.

One said: “I’ve been going here for years and there has never been a time when I couldn’t find parking. Like everything else happening, it’s another cash grab.” 

“How would this not just send everybody to shop at Sunshine or Watergardens instead,” another speculated.

One added: “One hour? You stand in line for a snag for close to that.”

“Oooh … that’s a bad move,” someone weighed in.

Another commented: “Good way to encourage mostly click & collect orders and no impulse purchases?”

Other Reddit users commented that their local Bunnings also had the same policy.

How are they gonna enforce it?

They have no authority to collect fines.

It's just like shopping centre carparks: they can issue you a parking ticket, but it's not worth the paper it's written on.

Rip it up and throw it in the bin - there's not a thing they can do about it.

1 hr is not enough. Sometimes it takes that long to find someone to help you when you're trying to find something.

I have no problem with the 2 hr parking then charge. If you're there more then 2 hrs you need a life

John Smith wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 4:32pm:

1 hr is not enough. Sometimes it takes that long to find someone to help you when you're trying to find something. I have no problem with the 2 hr parking then charge. If you're there more then 2 hrs you need a life

It's irrelevant how long they give you.

They have no legal authority to collect fines.

It's just a scare tactic.

There's absolutely nothing they can do if you park there longer.

If they want fines issued they would have to pay the wages of Council Rangers and have them issue parking fines.

Bunnings did that about ten years ago in Frankston, but it didn't last long (from memory).

John Smith wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 4:32pm:

1 hr is not enough. Sometimes it takes that long to find someone to help you when you're trying to find something. I have no problem with the 2 hr parking then charge. If you're there more then 2 hrs you need a life

Freediver should charge for more then 1 hr of Trump obsession.
By gweg, you, caramel, marsupial .
He could retire a rich man

aquascoot wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 4:39pm:

Freediver should charge for more then 1 hr of Trump obsession.

and yet you're the only person to mention trump in a thread about bunnings so which of us is obsessed? :D :D


I hope you used plenty of lube :D :D

Bunnings here is part of a shopping complex - the parking is barely enough as things stand - I can't see it happening here.

In Melbadishu things are different these days..... been under the jack boot since Dan The Man went at them.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 4:34pm:

John Smith wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 4:32pm: 1 hr is not enough. Sometimes it takes that long to find someone to help you when you're trying to find something. I have no problem with the 2 hr parking then charge. If you're there more then 2 hrs you need a life It's irrelevant how long they give you. They have no legal authority to collect fines. It's just a scare tactic. There's absolutely nothing they can do if you park there longer. If they want fines issued they would have to pay the wages of Council Rangers and have them issue parking fines. Bunnings did that about ten years ago in Frankston, but it didn't last long (from memory).

Bullshit, if a car is parked on posted private property they can have it towed, it will be up to the owner of the car to compensate the tow company.

Leroy wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 5:01pm:

Bullshit, if a car is parked on posted private property they can have it towed

not quite sunshine ... different states have different rules. For example, you're not allowed to tow in qld despite what the signs or tow companies tell you

And there was no mention of Bunnings towing anyones car ::)

Leroy wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 5:01pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 4:34pm: John Smith wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 4:32pm: 1 hr is not enough. Sometimes it takes that long to find someone to help you when you're trying to find something. I have no problem with the 2 hr parking then charge. If you're there more then 2 hrs you need a life It's irrelevant how long they give you. They have no legal authority to collect fines. It's just a scare tactic. There's absolutely nothing they can do if you park there longer. If they want fines issued they would have to pay the wages of Council Rangers and have them issue parking fines. Bunnings did that about ten years ago in Frankston, but it didn't last long (from memory). Bullshit, if a car is parked on posted private property they can have it towed, it will be up to the owner of the car to compensate the tow company.

Do you think they'll tow vehicles, or issue pretend fines?

Would you like some thinking music?

They will do it like everywhere else from shopping centres, hospital carparks, airports and 'everywhere' else. They get your rego and illegally, but NEVER enforced, get your address and details from the motor registry database and send you the letter... followed by, if you don't pay up, letters from legal firms threatening court action, etc, etc, etc. Basically a greater percentage of people pay up. Easy money.

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 5:13pm:

Leroy wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 5:01pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 4:34pm: John Smith wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 4:32pm: 1 hr is not enough. Sometimes it takes that long to find someone to help you when you're trying to find something. I have no problem with the 2 hr parking then charge. If you're there more then 2 hrs you need a life It's irrelevant how long they give you. They have no legal authority to collect fines. It's just a scare tactic. There's absolutely nothing they can do if you park there longer. If they want fines issued they would have to pay the wages of Council Rangers and have them issue parking fines. Bunnings did that about ten years ago in Frankston, but it didn't last long (from memory). Bullshit, if a car is parked on posted private property they can have it towed, it will be up to the owner of the car to compensate the tow company. Do you think they'll tow vehicles, or issue pretend fines? Would you like some thinking music?

I don't care if they tow vehicles or issue fines, they still can have your vehicle towed if you park there and its posted. so when you said

"There's absolutely nothing they can do if you park there longer."

you were talking bullshit.

John Smith wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 5:04pm:

Leroy wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 5:01pm: Bullshit, if a car is parked on posted private property they can have it towed not quite sunshine ... different states have different rules. For example, you're not allowed to tow in qld despite what the signs or tow companies tell you And there was no mention of Bunnings towing anyones car ::)

Of course not.

They'll do what all other shopping centres do - issue pretend fines.

A lot of people fall for it and pay the fines, which is why they keep doing it.

"Defence lawyer James Clements said only a statutory body has the power to issue fines and that parking signs across the carpark are nothing more than a bullying tactic."

I remember the Sydney airport Indians in fluoros coming out in numbers like it was Mumbai to fine me for loading up in the bus bay. I laughed and didn't hold back calling them all sorts of stuff to rattle their bullying raking agenda (which is pushed hard by their admin to fine as many people as possible for revenue... something I know from someone on the inside). Seeing their confused expressions at my display of confidence and polite insults, made my day that day.
Later, the letter came in the mail demanding payment of fine, etc. I wrote back a few reasons where the airport was at fault and mentioned a political name and just one week later, the apology was returned with no further action to be taken. ;D ;)

Leroy wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 5:18pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 5:13pm: Leroy wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 5:01pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 4:34pm: John Smith wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 4:32pm: 1 hr is not enough. Sometimes it takes that long to find someone to help you when you're trying to find something. I have no problem with the 2 hr parking then charge. If you're there more then 2 hrs you need a life It's irrelevant how long they give you. They have no legal authority to collect fines. It's just a scare tactic. There's absolutely nothing they can do if you park there longer. If they want fines issued they would have to pay the wages of Council Rangers and have them issue parking fines. Bunnings did that about ten years ago in Frankston, but it didn't last long (from memory). Bullshit, if a car is parked on posted private property they can have it towed, it will be up to the owner of the car to compensate the tow company. Do you think they'll tow vehicles, or issue pretend fines? Would you like some thinking music? I don't care if they tow vehicles or issue fines, they still can have your vehicle towed if you park there and its posted. so when you said "There's absolutely nothing they can do if you park there longer." you were talking bullshit.

If they are charging to stay longer the inference is that they will collect this charge when you leave. Hard to tow the car and then expect you to pay for the parking when they have no idea that you intend to not pay.

The easy solution to customers is simply to not shop at Bunnings. pretty simple.

1 hour free, 1 extra hour with validation.
Solved.

My local Bunnings is adjacent to a train station. People use it for overflow parking but there is enough parking that it doesn't make any difference. I never used the bunnings parking for this as there was always street parking. The train parking overflow was always minimal - a dozen cars or so and close to the station was far from the shops. There was always about 6 rows of vacant spaces between this area and parking for Bunnings access.

Another WK storm in a teacup.

Dnarever wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 5:42pm:

Leroy wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 5:18pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 5:13pm: Leroy wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 5:01pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 4:34pm: John Smith wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 4:32pm: 1 hr is not enough. Sometimes it takes that long to find someone to help you when you're trying to find something. I have no problem with the 2 hr parking then charge. If you're there more then 2 hrs you need a life It's irrelevant how long they give you. They have no legal authority to collect fines. It's just a scare tactic. There's absolutely nothing they can do if you park there longer. If they want fines issued they would have to pay the wages of Council Rangers and have them issue parking fines. Bunnings did that about ten years ago in Frankston, but it didn't last long (from memory). Bullshit, if a car is parked on posted private property they can have it towed, it will be up to the owner of the car to compensate the tow company. Do you think they'll tow vehicles, or issue pretend fines? Would you like some thinking music? I don't care if they tow vehicles or issue fines, they still can have your vehicle towed if you park there and its posted. so when you said "There's absolutely nothing they can do if you park there longer." you were talking bullshit. If they are charging to stay longer the inference is that they will collect this charge when you leave. Hard to tow the car and then expect you to pay for the parking when they have no idea that you intend to not pay.

I don't care what they infer or how hard it is to tow your car so when you said,

"There's absolutely nothing they can do if you park there longer."

you are bullshitting.

Gordon wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 5:46pm:

1 hour free, 1 extra hour with validation. Solved.

And if you don't have validation?

greggerypeccary wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2025 at 5:19pm:

John Smith wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 5:04pm: Leroy wrote on Apr 2nd, 2025 at 5:01pm: Bullshit, if a car is parked on posted private property they can have it towed not quite sunshine ... different states have different rules. For example, you're not allowed to tow in qld despite what the signs or tow companies tell you And there was no mention of Bunnings towing anyones car ::) Of course not. They'll do what all other shopping centres do - issue pretend fines. A lot of people fall for it and pay the fines, which is why they keep doing it. "Defence lawyer James Clements said only a statutory body has the power to issue fines and that parking signs across the carpark are nothing more than a bullying tactic."

I’m very interested in this and really want to believe!
If I don’t pay how do get out past the boom gates?

It’s also interesting regarding private companies collecting tolls?
If you owe a toll how can they legally add on fees and interest and why are these private tolls fines collected by the police?