A day in the life of a Ranger

Published Date
05/07/2017
News Topic
Council
Ranger Kevin James

Think Council Rangers only deal with illegally-parked cars? Think again. As local government’s regulatory enforcers, Rangers deal with an array of different business owners, residents and visitors to ensure everyone can enjoy Randwick City safely.

We followed Ranger Kevin James to see what a typical day involves…

06.00 – Kevin’s first job of the day is to follow up a complaint about a barking dog. The resident has sent in a diary of noise complaints. Kevin visits the property and spends the next 35 minutes recording what he can hear. He’ll continue to do this for about a week or so, before deciding on the next course of action.

09.15 – after a quick pit stop back to the office to file some paperwork and grab a coffee, Kevin heads off carry out lifejacket patrols. Since December 2016, it’s the law to wear a lifejacket when fishing from rocks anywhere in Randwick City. Randwick Rangers and police from the Marine Area Command regularly speak with rock fishers to make sure they’re wearing jackets.

Kevin checking for lifejackets on rock fishermen 

10.45am – Kevin visits a business on Coogee Bay Road after a complaint about signage blocking the footpath. A-frame signs like these can become trip hazards to pedestrians and make access difficult for those with prams and mobility scooters, so it’s essential businesses understand the law.

11.05am – another lifejacket check, this time at lesser-known spots at South Coogee and North Maroubra. A Mandarin-speaking fisherman isn’t wearing a lifejacket – thankfully, Council has safety advice written in six languages, so Kevin is able to offer the man some guidance about staying safe.

11.30am – a car with no plates has been reported as being possibly abandoned on Robey Street in Maroubra. The car is in good condition and Kevin explains that the driver might have been pulled over by the Police and the plates seized. A notice of intention to investigate the vehicle is placed on the windscreen – this gives the owner the opportunity to contact Council if the vehicle is not abandoned. Under NSW law, Council must follow a complex process before a vehicle can be impounded.

12.15pm – another lifejacket check, this time at Little Bay, and Kevin spots a dog off a leash. Council offers 14 off-leash dog parks in Randwick City – the requirement is to have at least one – and all dogs must also be microchipped. A big part of Kevin’s job is reuniting lost dogs with their owners, a hugely satisfying task that is made much easier when an animal is microchipped. Thankfully Lulu, a Staffordshire Terrier cross, is microchipped and complies with a wag of the tail when Kevin uses his handheld scanner to check.    

Ranger checking dog for microchip 

1.20pm – Kevin heads off to investigate a report of a van with no licence plates parked up in a residential street. Unregistered vehicles carry a $600 police fine, but on closer inspection, the van is home to a chap who has fallen on hard times. Screwing up the notice of intent he was about to place on the windscreen, Kevin instead proffers his business card and some supportive words putting the man in contact with a range of organisations who provide support for people experiencing homelessness.

2.10pm – Kevin visits a building site where signage isn’t being displayed. Every building site is required by law to display contact information for the site manager so they can be alerted to any issued relating to the site. He asks the supervisor to ensure a sign is fitted urgently.

Ranger Kevin checks on a rough sleeper2.35pm – with all his visits done for the day, Kevin makes his way back to the office to catch up on paperwork and a well-deserved bite to eat, before clocking off at 3.00pm.

Responsible for a myriad of functions, no two days are the same for Randwick City’s Rangers team. Say hello next time you see one walking the streets – after all, they have your safety in their best interests.

Last Updated: 1 March 2022
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