Neighbourhood Watch Cowra

09/06/2026

As it gets darker, you’re less visible to other drivers. Switch on your lights, slow down and leave plenty of time to stop.

09/06/2026

08/06/2026

We need these in all busy pedestrian areas 🤣

08/06/2026

Can You Be Fined for a Muddy Number Plate in Australia?
The short answer is yes.
Across every state and territory in Australia, drivers can be fined for having a muddy, dirty, or obscured number plate.

Authorities take these rules seriously because unreadable plates make it difficult for police, speed cameras, and toll systems to identify vehicles.

While the rules are similar nationwide, the penalties vary depending on where you're driving.

New South Wales.
Number plates must be clearly visible from 20 metres away. Drivers can receive a $464 fine and 3 demerit points. If the matter goes to court, penalties can rise to as much as $2,200.

Queensland.
Plates must also be legible from 20 metres. An on-the-spot fine is $341, but court-imposed penalties can reach up to $6,452.

Victoria.
Number plates must be clear and readable from 20 metres. Drivers face a $110 fine and 3 demerit points, with maximum court penalties exceeding $2,000.

South Australia.
Plates must be visible from 18 metres away. A dirty or obscured plate can result in a $550 fine, plus a $99 Victims of Crime Levy, bringing the total to $649.
No demerit points apply.

Western Australia.
The law requires number plates to remain fully visible at all times. Fines can be up to $100.

Tasmania
Drivers can be fined $163 for an obscured plate, although no demerit points are issued.

Australian Capital Territory.
An obscured number plate can attract a fine from $448 and 3 demerit points.

Northern Territory.
Fines apply for unreadable plates, generally starting at around $70.

What If You're Driving Interstate?
If you're stopped in a state or territory different from where your vehicle is registered, the local road rules apply.
That means you'll be subject to the laws and penalties of the jurisdiction where the offence occurs, not where your car is registered.

The Bottom Line.
A quick clean of your number plates could save you hundreds of dollars in fines and, in some states, demerit points as well.

If mud, dirt, bike racks, or other objects are blocking any part of your plate, it's worth fixing before you hit the road.
Have you ever been fined for having a muddy or a skewer number plate?

 Graphic kindly created probono by Big Bird Design and Marketing

07/06/2026

Scams are everywhere, targeting people from all walks of life and costing Australians billions of dollars each year.
Whether it’s fake emails, unexpected phone calls or online schemes, scammers always find new ways to gain your trust and steal your money or personal information.
But 3 small steps can help keep us all safe from scammers.
Learn more at https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/

06/06/2026

Unknown number? Let it ring. 📵

If it's important, they'll leave a message. If it's a scammer, answering just confirms your number is active.

Simple rule: don't pick up, don't call back. If you're unsure, hang up and contact the organisation directly via their official website.

06/06/2026

We cannot post this enough … Please LOCK YOUR VEHICLES and REMOVE VALUABLES 🚗 🔑🔓

🚨 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT (AGAIN… AND AGAIN… AND AGAIN) 🚨
We’ve shared this message before (just a few times now) …

We've shared via media release

We’ve shared it via our socials

We’ve said it in the paper

And at this point we’re considering the of training carrier pigeons to deliver the message directly to your window…

👉 LOCK. YOUR. VEHICLES.
Every week, we attend matters where vehicles have been left unlocked and valuables are taken in seconds. Wallets, phones, tools, bags, phones, laptops – gone.

No forced entry. No mystery. Just an easy unlocked opportunity.
Sooo, in case you missed it repeat ourselves ONE MORE TIME ...

✅ If it’s not locked, it’s not secure
✅ If valuables are visible, they’re a target
✅ It only takes a few seconds

We get it – it’s easy to forget. But criminals are relying on that.
So please, do yourselves (and us) a favour:
🔒 Lock your car
👀 Remove valuables
✅ Double-check before you walk away

Let’s not be having this same conversation again next week… or the week after… or via pigeon 🐦