Neighbour Has Extremely Large Weekly Gatherings (200+ people) VIC

mfazackerley on 29/07/2023 - 20:03

Just after some advice about if this is legal. I cant imagine it is.

My neighbour has some form of religious gathering every week which can often attract more than 200 people.

I'm sure that gatherings that are this large and this regular surely would need at least a permit (which they wouldn't have) but I've tried searching to find an actual law or regulation about it and cant for the life of me. The house they attend is a small 3 bedroom house on a 900m² block so the event is mostly outside.

Anyone able to point me in the right direction? We are in Hobson Bay council in Victoria.

Some more background:

The 'events' are usually between Wednesday to Sunday and are from 7pm to 10pm and have been going on for about 3 months now.
The people themselves aren't all that annoying to be honest. Besides some sometimes very loud praying they aren't actually any noisier than you'd expect 200ish people to be.

The main issue is the cars.

Our street is a normal outer suburban melbourne street with mostly 3 bedroom houses on it. Each night there would be 1 or 2 cars parked on the street.
Tonight is the biggest one yet (hence the post) and I have just counted 98 cars on the street that I don't recognise and its between 2 and 4 people that usually get out of each car (mostly families).

And they park like absolute d***heads. They park over and in peoples driveways and often on other neighbours front lawns (actual lawns, not just the nature strip).

Im not even too sure how to comlpain to council to be honest. How do you photo 100 cars on a street at night time and prove which address they are going to?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • nswnotill on 30/07/2023 - 13:12
    +2

    Also, you must consider the risk if there is any sort of emergency in your street? How can an Ambulance attend an accident (stroke, heart attack, serious physical injury)?
    Also, what happens if there is a house fire or similar? Can the fire brigade attend? Are all the street hydrants covered by parked cars?

    • capslock janitor on 30/07/2023 - 21:45
      +1

      we have street hydrants?

      • us3rnam3tak3n on 31/07/2023 - 14:05

        If you see a white 'H' painted on the road or a blue reflector there is an adjacent hydrant. Well that's how they're marked in WA anyway.

  • Dack Smith on 30/07/2023 - 13:50

    BIKIES!

    Or some rotten beef or pork would settle the matter very quickly

  • belongsinforums on 30/07/2023 - 14:21
    +1

    bikies, aka ACA

    • capslock janitor on 30/07/2023 - 21:46

      bikies, aka tracy Grimshaw

      lettter loose !

  • quog on 30/07/2023 - 14:44
    +5

    if after council hours - call the cops

    during council hours - call the council.

    both are services you pay for, don't be scared to use them.

  • Subada on 30/07/2023 - 14:47

    Echoing what some others have said, it sounds like they're operating a public place of worship for which they need development approval from Council. Give your council a ring and ask for their planning team or planning regulation or somesuch.

    It is an offence under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to carry out development, such as building work or a change of building use, without obtaining the appropriate form of approval beforehand.

    https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Plan-build/Stage-1-find-out…

    Using a residential dwelling as a place of worship is a change of use and is illegal.

    • jackspratt on 30/07/2023 - 18:07
      +2

      What relevance is a NSW council's bylaws to a council in Victoria?

  • Bing0 on 30/07/2023 - 16:04
    +3

    I honestly can't fathom that happening in my street, the other neighbours here would be apoplectic over random cars on their lawns, and most of those families would presumably be carpooling back home.

  • The Value on 30/07/2023 - 16:18
    +5

    This is why I limit my orgies to 69 people. You have to be respectful to your neighbours.

    • derrida derider on 30/07/2023 - 23:19
      +1

      But surely you invite the neighbours to help make up the numbers …

    • this is us on 31/07/2023 - 07:54
      +2

      That's a huge compromise. Unacceptable really… You do require at least 73 to do two of the new Kama Sutra Gold Plus All Inclusive Master Edition.

  • gakko on 30/07/2023 - 17:42
    +3

    I'd be letting some tyres down if they were on my lawn.

  • Bunnyburger on 30/07/2023 - 17:42
    -1

    All you need is a bucket, some kool aid, some plastic cups and weed killer. All is well!*

    *Do not serve to anybody

  • BeamMeUp on 30/07/2023 - 18:03

    If they were parking on my front lawn I would be out there waiting for them to return for a healthy WTF conversation!

  • porsche26c on 30/07/2023 - 20:08

    I think like all are saying, check with council. Then maybe chat with neigbour if very nice and see if they can host maybe just once a week.

  • whitepuma on 30/07/2023 - 20:53

    Install a boomgate and start charging people to park on your property

  • capslock janitor on 30/07/2023 - 21:49

    WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? WHO WHOWHO WHO

    • juki on 31/07/2023 - 10:30

      Well, the party was nice, the party was pumpin'
      Heya, yippie yi yo
      And everybody havin' a ball
      Huh, huh, yippie yi yo

      Who let the dogs out?
      Who, who, who, who, who?

  • hopper on 30/07/2023 - 21:50
    +1

    Try to find the parking ticket officer in your area, tip him abt the event, they will learn in a hard way.

  • hopper on 30/07/2023 - 21:51
    -1

    Or just join the party, I'm sure food should be amazing.

    • HangryCakeStore on 31/07/2023 - 03:06
      -1

      Religion hasn’t been the number 1 issue around the world causing misery and crimes and wars?

      • quog on 31/07/2023 - 12:26
        -1

        Nope, that's good ol America!

    • kerfuffle on 31/07/2023 - 08:17
      -1

      What is your definition of temporary? OP says it’s been going on for a quarter of a year now

    • OzBarAnon on 31/07/2023 - 13:43

      They ought to respect the neighbourhood of the residents that they're passing through/visiting for their cultural event

      • quog on 31/07/2023 - 14:54
        +2

        nah, but you have to respect them.

        otherwise you racist

    • cookie2 on 31/07/2023 - 15:52
      +2

      So you feel this behaviour is appropriate in a residential street? 100 or so cars? Parking on peoples property? Large noisy gatherings until 10pm at least once weekly? Remove the fact it's religious, would you be saying the same thing and telling the op to give them space? Your comment is ridiculous considering the scenario.

    • mfazackerley on 31/07/2023 - 17:55
      +2

      The whole point of the post is that they are not temporary….

    • Camelface on 31/07/2023 - 19:45

      That is absolute bullcrap. No one should be above the law. What's the point of a religion that bothers other people anyway?

    • smartazz104 on 31/07/2023 - 21:30

      A country with laws that should be respected by people who decide to live here, or do we need to bend over backwards for people that can't even learn the language?

    • coffeeinmyveins on 02/08/2023 - 10:39

      please respect other religions and give them some space

      Why should I have to placate their choice to do something that inconveniences me?

      OP has said that they are loud, park all over the street illegally and do it very regularly. This is the opposite of existing peacefully together and they're clearly taking advantage.

      Hope these events are temporary

      You clearly chose to read the parts that you wanted to and ignore others

  • iguana on 30/07/2023 - 22:44
    -2

    Get a screwdriver and start scraping.

  • CommuterPolluter on 30/07/2023 - 23:22
    +1

    You can check online the zoning of the property and compare to the allowable uses. Some residential areas in Hobsons Bay are zoned as NRZ which would require provision of parking for religious use. Even if it’s not NRZ it may still be in violation of zoning requirements, however, that needs to be assessed in reference to the specific property.

    FWIW don't worry about what the council planners think of you - they might hate discrimination but they absolutely detest cars.

    https://planning-schemes.app.planning.vic.gov.au/Victoria%20…

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 31/07/2023 - 00:12
    +4

    Free tip when you speak to council.

    "Place of Worship - The site must adjoin, or have access to, a road in a Transport Zone 2 or a Transport Zone 3."

  • lysp on 31/07/2023 - 00:29

    Speak to the council.

    If this was a once-off event on private land - nothing you can do.

    As it's regular and ongoing, then they may be running a business or another activity which may require a permit.

    In terms of the car/parking situation, councils generally have on out of hours number and a ranger on duty. As it's at a similar time, you could perhaps let them know in advance, and they can advise the on-duty ranger to swing by as part of their shift.

  • drfuzzy on 31/07/2023 - 03:00
    +7

    Lease your home to a large scale porn shoot, with emphasis on outdoor activities.
    All the better if the neighbour overlooks your property.

  • Devastator0 on 31/07/2023 - 06:45
    +1

    Look, realistically, if you have people parking illegally on your actual property, I would be calling police immediately and then in terms of the neighbor's operation, filing a direct complaint with your council (and/or attending Police as to whatever is going on/causing a disruption). Surely what they are doing there is running an illegal place of worship based on what you're saying. Like others have said, if it's not permitted via council, they're in breach and running illegally. Sounds like a massive pain for you and needs to stop. Please let us know how you progress with this.

  • ForkSnorter on 31/07/2023 - 07:33

    I would sell up and move. Anyone who hosts large-scale religious gatherings in their suburban backyard on a weekly basis has a few screws loose. I wouldn't want to live next to them.

    Actually, it sounds like some scary cult or something. They can't even be bothered heading down to the church. If you are determined to stay there, I'd call the police a few times to at least discourage them. Call anonymously and say to police, "noisy gathering of 200+ people in this house bothering neighbours".

    • morse on 31/07/2023 - 07:38
      +2

      has a few screws loose.

      They could also be very sociable and a community organiser. It may well be a specific ethnic or language group and the religious practice/rituals, are very common where they are from (rather than culty)

      Given they haven’t forked out on hiring a community hall, they are probably OzBargain members.

    • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2023 - 08:42
      +1

      Anyone who hosts large-scale religious gatherings in their suburban backyard on a weekly basis has a few screws loose.

      Wot rot. I could just as validly argue people who pay tithes for a ticket to attend Saturday football and shout in worship of their favourite team are scary cult members with a few screws loose too. Just because it's not your preferred cult-like behaviour, doesn't mean it IS one.

      • bobolo on 31/07/2023 - 08:49
        +2

        Yeah there are stadiums for that actvity

        Just like there are churches for religious activity

        Nobody is hosting live Saturday Football games in their backyard with 200 spectators

        • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2023 - 08:58

          I agree but the setting was a separate issue. i.e. He was saying they have screws loose merely because they are religious - don't engage in what I see as the equally cult-like behaviour of Saturday football (paying "tithes" for a ticket to "worship" sweaty men who like to shower together and don't return the same loyalty their "congregation" shows them, because the players would be gone the instant more money is offered from elsewhere). ;-p

          • bobolo on 31/07/2023 - 14:11

            @[Deactivated]: Anyone who regularly has nightly 200 pax gatherings in their home without any care for their neighbours has "a few screws loose". The reason/activity for the gathering doesn't matter. Stop trying to make it a hate religion thing.

          • MuddyClear on 31/07/2023 - 22:11

            @[Deactivated]:

            He was saying they have screws loose merely because they are religious…

            Read again. The issue is large-scale gathering in suburban backyard on the regular and chanting on loud speaker their religious mantra.

      • ForkSnorter on 31/07/2023 - 08:54

        OK, get 200 people over to your backyard for prayers in unison then have a look at the expressions on your neighbours' faces.

        • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2023 - 09:11

          As I've said a few times now I AGREE THEY SHOULDN'T BE GATHERING 200 PEOPLE AT A PRIVATE HOME. But people aren't idiots, cult members, or "have screws loose" when most people (probably including him) engage in other behaviour equally cult-like.

          e.g. It makes no sense to me "congregations" (hundreds of people) "tithe" (buy tickets), to gather on Saturdays to see some sporting team, shouting and cheering and groaning in "worship" of their "idols" (players) and "praying" (appealing to) the referee. But I stop at saying they're crazy.

          • ForkSnorter on 31/07/2023 - 09:31

            @[Deactivated]: I'm not a fan of false analogies.

            For most people sport is entertainment. Sure, some people enjoy the fan culture, the socialising and becoming emotionally invested in a team. But it doesn't exist without the entertainment. Take away the game, and people will not sit there for 2 hours staring at an empty field.

            I'm not a sport person myself, but I can understand how some people would enjoy observing the skills and dedication of world class tennis players or sumo wrestlers. The majority do watch on their TVs, but some people who have the time and money prefer to see it live. It's not very religious in my opinion.

            • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2023 - 09:40

              @ForkSnorter: For most "Christians" the church worship session is entertainment. Take away that music and people will not come and sit for 2 hours staring at an empty stage either. And the way sporting folks loyally wear jerseys and beanies and car stickers sporting their preferred team's name appears closer to "religious" behaviour to me than many church-goers display. Therefore the analogy holds. :-)

              • ForkSnorter on 31/07/2023 - 09:44

                @[Deactivated]:

                For most "Christians" the church worship session is entertainment. Take away that music and people will not come and sit for 2 hours staring at an empty stage either.

                What kind of music? Do you mean the church organ?

                Like I said, the majority of people watch sport at home on their TV, or they play it themselves for fun/exercise.

                I could think of many more differences between sport and religion if you want to keep going with this analogy.

                • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2023 - 10:43

                  @ForkSnorter: Not sure what it matters, but maybe the Catholic church still does, who knows. But few others are still using organs. Maybe the occasional Anglican church filled with senior citizens? I see churches selling/giving away uninstalled organs on Scumtree and Farcebook pretty regularly. Most now use electric guitars, electric bass, drums, syth/keyboard, and/or a Yamaha/Kawai grand from G2 up. (Baby grands have no real gain over an upright due to having the same length bass strings. So G2 size and up is typical.)

                  I haven't seen any real differences between sport and religion listed yet. :-) And the fact they watch it on TV proves the religious, if not cult-like, aspect and dedication. Sport is their idol, their god, evidenced by the fact they put everything short of a marriage or funeral aside, hate missing a match (church meeting), label their bodies and cars (and I've even seen some really dedicated cult members paint their house in team colours!).

                  You know I wasn't referring to jogging/cycling/tennis with the wife, etc for personal movement sake, but instead people who gather in groups, often separated by the two opposite ends of a field, engaging in irrational emotional displays like shouts of joy, clapping and waving, collectively sighing or groaning or cheering, hugging, tossing their hats in the air, donning garb to identify with "my team" etc. In fact it's MORE "religious" behaviorally than many churches or religious people are.

                  But as before players themselves have no great loyalty to "their" "team" (denomination). The moment a $$$ contract comes along, the surface-level loyalty of players at both ends of that field ends, they can even wind up contracted on the same larger team… So why not cheer BOTH the teams they came from!? But no, even after they join the same team showing the worshippers there's no real difference, their "congregations" are back next week still cheering on only one side.

                  It's completely irrational - thus cult-like behaviour. Certainly no less irrational than a person tithing to enter their church building ("buying their ticket"), displaying emotion, etc - only one group mostly shows it inside a building only among friends and family, rather than making themselves look foolish openly before hundreds of strangers.

              • CommuterPolluter on 31/07/2023 - 10:26
                +1

                @[Deactivated]: The largest demographic associated with a specific Church organisation in Hobsons Bay (and indeed the broader Australian community) is Roman Catholic.

                The majority of services at the Parishes within Hobsons Bay (and indeed the broader Australian community) do not have a choir. Most involve playing the recording of 4 hymns (ranging from 30 seconds to 2 minutes each) over a 1 hour service.

                The General Instruction of the Roman Missal allows most of the Mass to be sung. However, this option is rarely exercised in local Parish churches Australia. Mostly the words are spoken. Personally, I much prefer those where it is sung but I’ll attend my local parish regardless.

                For all those reasons I doubt music is the major draw at Church for Australians. Maybe it is for a small section of attendees at Planetshakers, but even there I doubt it’s the major draw for most people.

                • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2023 - 10:48

                  @CommuterPolluter: Never said it was. What I did say is there are many parallels between religious people and sport fans, yet some label the church-goers as "rocks in their head" while the sport fans are doing all the same, if not more extreme and illogical behavior.

                  • ForkSnorter on 31/07/2023 - 11:41

                    @[Deactivated]: I wouldn't say all church-goers have rocks in their heads. But I would say that being religious makes a person more likely to trend toward lazy reasoning, logical fallacies, unscientific deductions, etc. in many kinds of intellectual discussions or philosophical thought processes.

                    This is because of motivated reasoning, where the desire to defend the faith, provide evidence for a supernatural claim, or align oneself with a religious position essentially biases the deductive or inductive process.

                    Instead of starting from zero (blank slate) and assessing all the available data and ideas from an impartial perspective (or in a scientific manner), a religious person is more likely to start from a clearly stated position and selectively look for data, interpretations and arguments that will help maintain that position.

                    • CommuterPolluter on 31/07/2023 - 12:36

                      @ForkSnorter: Personally I see motivated reasoning occurring a lot more in the irreligious and socially permissive, who want to justify their libertine lifestyle.

                      • ForkSnorter on 31/07/2023 - 13:34

                        @CommuterPolluter: What do you define as a libertine lifestyle?

                        I have chatted to quite a few religious people in my time, and I have encountered the most bizarre arguments and reasoning processes from some of them. The only way I could conceive such arguments coming from a thinking person in the 21st century is via motivated reasoning.

                        In my experience, the closer you steer the discussion to supernatural claims or topics like evolutionary biology, the more distorted the reasoning becomes.

                        • CommuterPolluter on 31/07/2023 - 19:38

                          @ForkSnorter: Personally, I would define a libertine lifestyle as any which reflects the belief that the law makes the criminal. It’s really neither here nor there.

                          I wonder what anybody could have said that you found so strange. I personally have faith in biological evolution although the science isn’t something I can verify. It’s just an inconsequential proposition accepted on faith.

                  • CommuterPolluter on 31/07/2023 - 12:33

                    @[Deactivated]: I appreciate that but with respect you said

                    For most "Christians" the church worship session is entertainment. Take away that music and people will not come and sit for 2 hours staring at an empty stage either.

                    I think this is a complete mischaracterisation of what goes on in the average Christian service. Even for people attending Hillsong or Planetshaker style churches, where you might reasonably think this, I personally doubt this is true.

          • MuddyClear on 31/07/2023 - 22:15

            @[Deactivated]:

            But I stop at saying they're crazy.

            You might change your tune if it happened right next to your backyard 🤣

            • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2023 - 22:30

              @MuddyClear: Nope. Because it's not crazy. It is thoughtless/arrogant though.

      • kiriakoz on 31/07/2023 - 13:56

        Not really. Football games are a known entity. You pay money for x number of hours entertainment and you can see it. With religion, most of it's immaginary. Yes there are some people who probably join for a sense of community, but there are plenty of other ways you can do that without believing in an invisible make believe deity.

        Nothing against anyone who does, just explaining how I personally see it.

        • CommuterPolluter on 31/07/2023 - 19:57

          Let’s put aside the spiritual aspects of Church, which are something you consider imagined.

          For churchgoers attending church is also a known entity. The physical and psychological benefits of a real faith are tangible. It can provide deep comfort, true meaning or direction, and enduring joy. Even secular authorities are attest to the benefits of various religious practices such as meditation, affirmations and mindfulness.

          • kiriakoz on 31/07/2023 - 20:34

            @CommuterPolluter: I mean sure, but none of that speaks to whether it's true. I guess it's like the thrill of seeing your favourite player score a goal, it's intangible.

            As for the fact that I consider God imagined, what proof is there otherwise? In what other area of your life do you accept something without proof? That's like me telling you that in my religion, I believe in an invisible pink unicorn that lives on the planet Neptune. You can't disprove that's the case but it doesn't make it true.

            • CommuterPolluter on 31/07/2023 - 21:11
              +1

              @kiriakoz: I’d say it’s more like the joy of having a loving wife but I’m not a sports guy. The only thing I want to say is that merely believing in it, regardless of the actual truth, does provide real benefits and believers do know what they’re getting out of it in this world. As for the benefits in next world, that is a matter of faith.

              No point wasting time debating if God is real on OzB forums. I know He is. You know He isn’t.

        • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2023 - 22:37
          -2

          With religion, most of it's immaginary.

          Sport is based on the imaginary too. i.e. Team devotion. We all know players go wherever the money is. Yet the fans don gear advertising one team, display a faithfulness based upon fantasy - the unquestioning belief in an invisible, make believe, team honour system which even the players themselves don't adhere to. ;-)

          • kiriakoz on 31/07/2023 - 23:43

            @[Deactivated]: I know what you're trying to say, but no, I'm not going to let you try that one. Sport is there, the players are there, the field is there, you can touch it, you can see it. Just because the devotion isn't returned or logical doesn't make it the same as religion.

            Nice try though. I won't deny supporting a sports team is illogical though.

            • [Deactivated] on 01/08/2023 - 00:09
              -4

              @kiriakoz: There's plenty of evidence for SOME kind of "creator."

              Here's just one example… Evolution basically claims plants came first, living creatures later. There is a type of pitcher plant whose only method of pollination is attracting one specific insect which falls into its goop (I believe all others that fall in get ingested), it exits through an opening, which drags collected pollen off to pollinate the plant, then flies away.

              If plants came first and living creatures later, it would have been impossible for this plant to pollinate. Therefore none would exist. If we assume the plant just "appeared" somehow (now we're in the realm of magic or faith - not science), and we ignore the fact you need TWO plants to appear within days of each other so one could provide pollen for the other… did they both just, you know, "hang on" for dear life for a few hundred/thousand years until the insect "evolved" from some sea slug!?

              Sorry, just no. The plant would have died to never be seen again. Both the plant AND insect had to exist at EXACTLY THE SAME TIME. Not only are the chances of that astronomical, evolution claims it didn't happen - and yet, even worse, it's only ONE example of interdependent situations, yet we're supposed to "believe" all these interdependent things magically happened to make what we see today?

              Evolution requires more faith than religion does.

              • ForkSnorter on 01/08/2023 - 08:58
                +1

                @[Deactivated]:

                Here's just one example… Evolution basically claims plants came first, living creatures later.

                Evolution doesn't "claim" anything. Evolution is a process. It is simply a process of gradual change in the characteristics of a species over time.

                Evolution basically claims plants came first, living creatures later.

                Plants are living too. Did you mean “animals”? Actually nobody claims plants came first. For the first 2 billion years there was nothing but bacteria (unicellular organisms). The fossil record makes this abundantly clear.

                If plants came first and living creatures later, it would have been impossible for this plant to pollinate.

                Evolution doesn't "stop". Plants and animals are both continuing to evolve simultaneously. Did you think that all the plant species appeared before all the animal species?

                By the way, thousands of plant species rely on insects/animals for pollination and propagation (by seed dissemination).

                Before you attempt to deny evolution, you should read a few books about it, so you are not creating straw man arguments. You need to know somebody’s argument (and their knowledge) before you argue against it.

                If we assume the plant just "appeared" somehow

                Species don't just appear. They evolve gradually. Evolution is gradual change over time. The fossil record and the existing species make this abundantly clear.

                Here is a basic description of evolution:

                Evolution is something that happens when a group of organisms with varying characteristics and direct, imperfect inheritance are competing for a limited energy supply and/or limited reproduction opportunity.

                The strong/fit (fit here means suited to the environment) individuals are more likely to survive, and/or reproduce. Over time, this propagates the advantageous traits among the group, while the disadvantageous traits become less common.

                Now, here's how science works:

                Scientists observe a phenomena (i.e. gravity, chemical interactions, changes in the characteristics of a species over time), then they develop a theory to explain or describe the phenomena. The theories are often continually refined and expanded as our knowledge increases.

                This is what happened with evolution. We observed the phenomena of evolution, and then we developed theories to explain it, and we are still studying it to figure out all the details about how it happens. Our knowledge of evolution would now fill thousands and thousands of books. One of the biggest events in the history of evolutionary biology was the discovery of DNA, which both confirmed many things we knew about evolution, while also filling in the gaps in our knowledge regarding how traits are inherited.

                The fact that a theory can be updated/expanded as our knowledge increases does not mean the observed phenomena doesn't exist. This is a fundamental misconception among science deniers. The phenomena is there. We are trying to understand it.

                In regard to your question about coevolution of pollination (pollinators and pollinated plants), this concerns the fundamental process of evolution. When something happens that increases the survival/reproduction chances of an organism (for example a trait appears or changes via imperfect genetic inheritance, or a change in the environment favours a specific trait), that trait will over time become more common among the gene pool. If you can understand this, you understand evolution. Next, read a few articles about the coevolution of pollination.

              • kiriakoz on 01/08/2023 - 09:30
                +2

                @[Deactivated]:

                There's plenty of evidence for SOME kind of "creator."

                That's not what religious people say. They say not only that there is a God, but they know what God thinks about a bunch of things. If religious people kept their beliefs completely to themselves, didn't try to influence our laws and paid their taxes, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

                Anyway thank you @ForkSnorter for saving me the time and for saying it significantly more eloquently than I would've too.

  • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2023 - 08:37
    +1

    If they have that many people they can afford to rent some place a scout hall or school drama room or library. And they should be in order to be considerate of neighbours, not parking on lawns, etc. Some churches have smaller home groups during the week where say up to 20 people (including kids) visit someone's home, say on a Wed night. But 200 regularly piling into a private residence, especially at night, is just not on. You can bet they're taking in tithes, so they can use that $ to rent something.

  • kiriakoz on 31/07/2023 - 13:54
    +2

    If you were a REAL Ozbargainer, you'd see this as a commercial opportunity. You mean there are 200 gullible people coming to your neighbourhood EVERY week and you're not trying to sell them something? Whether it be halal goods, kosher goods, eneloops or whatever you can get your hands on, don't miss the opportunity here.

  • Cluster on 31/07/2023 - 14:09
    +1

    Sell them parking spots on your property. $20 per car.

    • quog on 31/07/2023 - 14:56
      +1

      or ANFO, c4, or maybe some bulging power banks.

  • Captain M on 31/07/2023 - 16:01

    You should look at this as an opportunity and start charging parking fees from the people. Maybe lease out your driveway.

  • ashdays on 31/07/2023 - 16:13

    Demographics of Hobson Bay Council if anybody is interested
    https://profile.id.com.au/hobsons-bay/ancestry

    • Nugs on 31/07/2023 - 17:03

      Are you suggesting that mfazackerley is likely a whnging pom?
      .

  • Cleremy on 31/07/2023 - 18:00
    +1

    It might be possible to petition the council to put up "no standing" signs everywhere, I've seen this happen outside the Mt Lofty Botanical garden where formerly you used to be able to park in the streets nearby if the carpark was full. Cops will have an excuse to extort a considerable sum.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 02/08/2023 - 10:40

      If they're parking illegally on nature strips and lawns already, something tells me these people don't give a toss about signage

  • [Deactivated] on 31/07/2023 - 18:57

    How long has this been going on?

    • MuddyClear on 31/07/2023 - 20:23
      +1

      Since they taught kids how to read

    • Sneeze on 31/07/2023 - 20:24
      +1

      Likely thousands of years but without knowing which particular religion it's hard to say exactly.

  • MuddyClear on 31/07/2023 - 20:26
    +3

    The OP needs to attend the next prayer session with his daughter. Nothing bad will happen, I promise.

  • acersaurus on 31/07/2023 - 22:03

    If it is for a religious event and is ongoing, then no it is not a normal use of a dwelling and not legal without a permit.

    I would try to take photos. Call up and ask for statutory planning enforcement. You are best to establish that it is for an ongoing religious event and the number of people involved. Otherwise they might just think it's a party.

  • yeeha87 on 31/07/2023 - 22:04

    i'm not sure of VIC but in NSW you could report them for unauthorised use of land, as in they are using their house as a church. i would suggest monitoring the situation for a week or 2. Make sure you take photos of each day they do it, start and finish times as well as photos of all the cars in the st. Email it through to the council and await a reply. They probably won't get rangers out there at that time of night but still report it. If you are not happy with the response, as in the owners will probably pretend they are one off events, go to your local MP and see if they can help.

  • Bec-a on 31/07/2023 - 22:16

    The nerve of people to park in other peoples driveways and lawns…
    play load offensive music over the fence so there gatherings aren’t as pleasant?

    • MuddyClear on 31/07/2023 - 22:31

      Great idea.

      Here are some more:

      • Water gun bleach over the fence
      • loud speaker sexy noises
      • anonymous call to police they are selling drugs and human trafficking
  • Cluster on 31/07/2023 - 23:48

    Has the OP actually tried to talk to the people organizing these events? Tell them the problems with parking and ruining people's lawns. Ask them what can be done, and ask them if they can make an announcement to the people coming to these events to please be more considerate of local residents?

    • morse on 01/08/2023 - 00:06
      +5

      Problem with all these neighbour/community type issues is, maybe the neighbour will respond well, but equally if OP gets known as the complainant, they can also become a target. Over time I’ve learned that sometimes, despite it being the less civil thing to do, the anonymous complaint route is best. I go as far as listing a different, usually fictitious address (eg house number on our st/neighbouring st, that doesn’t exist). On the GC one can’t be too careful about who is a cop, bikies or connected with influence to council - we’ve had all three in our close neighbourhood at different time points.

      • kiriakoz on 01/08/2023 - 15:57
        +3

        Unfortunately, this is true. I am definitely an old school talk it out kind of dude and I still believe you can usually come to a fair resolution with most reasonable people.

        Regretably, there are a small number of irrational people who will take it personally if they do not see things your way. Once that occurs, it's hard to make any kind of formal complaint as neighbours will always know/blame you. Unfortunately, you can't choose your neighbours. And it's a small percentage of crazy people that spoil it for the rest.

    • mrvaluepack on 01/08/2023 - 10:36

      How considerate can 200 people be in a suburban street? I think the point that Op is making is NOT to have such large frequent gatherings in the first place.

      • Cluster on 01/08/2023 - 11:34

        If the operators of the business/church know there's a problem and people are thoroughly annoyed they may move the place of worship or do something like arranging a bus to move people in, instead of having everyone bring their own car.

        • I like freestuff on 02/08/2023 - 19:51
          +1

          "Tis just the devil trying to stop us meeting, we will ignore his attempts at stopping us".

    • coffeeinmyveins on 02/08/2023 - 10:41

      Depending on the type of gathering I'd be wary about doing this.

      What if the person who is organising these gatherings is aggressive? Now 200 people that frequent the area can be told that there's a particular a-hole neighbour and all hell will break loose.

      I can't imagine what religion it is, but if they're already parking on peoples lawns/driveways, they aren't exactly peaceful and considerate people already.

      I'd just call the cops whenever it happens, and constantly report it to council

  • ialam99 on 01/08/2023 - 06:48
    +1

    Is there food on offer? Why not take the family for a free meal each week? If you advertise free dinner here, next week they could have 1000+ people visiting

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