Lockboxes are in Sydney City Council’s sights which will be removing them from all public property from April next year.
Council says these boxes are not permitted on property like poles, signs, fences, trees, tree guards and bike racks.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore says the boxes are becoming an increasing problem.
“Lockboxes on our infrastructure are unsightly and can create safety risks like trip hazards or obstruction,” she says.
“They can interfere with our ability to maintain city assets and can damage the things they are chained to; we’ve even had an instance of one being drilled into a street tree.
“These amenities are there for everyone to use, not as part of a business operation for individuals. There are several alternatives (that) lockbox owners can use.”
DEADLINE SET FOR LOCKBOXES
At an earlier meeting, the city council agreed that the owners of removed lockboxes will have 28 days to claim them before disposal under their removal scheme.
Owners will not be individually notified that their lockbox will be removed but they will have until April 1 to claim their boxes which is when the removals will begin.
“We are putting people on notice that the base of a tree or a metal bike stand is not an appropriate place for a lockbox,” Moore says.
“By not commencing the scheme for over six months, we are giving owners enough time to make different arrangements before we begin our removal program.”
She says other options include installing a lockbox on private property, arranging an in-person key handover, using a concierge or key management service or digital access systems such as keypads or smart locks.
Lockboxes that pose an immediate safety risk, are obstructive or limit access to high use or sensitive property will be removed as soon as they are identified, according to council.
