VicRoads halts address changes as hot spot residents try to rort lockdown

Residents from the 10 locked down postcodes across Melbourne have flocked to change their address in an attempt to rort the shutdown.

The change of address feature on the VicRoads website has been suspended temporarily after an influx of people attempted to amend their licence addresses after the limited lockdown was announced.

Executive director of registration and licence at VicRoads, Dean Tillotson, said there will be a crackdown on false address changes.

“We saw a spike yesterday … our traffic went up on change of address about 30 per cent, which is certainly unusual,” he said.

VicRoads is reviewing all address changes from locked down postcodes made since the postcode lockdown was announced.

Online address changes will resume later today. People whose current address is not in a hot spot will be able to change their address as usual, while those in hot spots will be required to provide extra information, such as a utility bill, to confirm their address.

Falsely changing a licence address and lying to police about your address are offences which carry fines of up to $825.

Press PLAY below for more on 3AW Afternoons.

Press PLAY below to hear Kate Stevenson and Tony Leonard raise the issue this morning.

Postcodes in lockdown:

• 3012: Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray
• 3021: Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans
• 3032: Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore
• 3038: Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens
• 3042: Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie
• 3046: Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park
• 3047: Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana
• 3055: Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West
• 3060: Fawkner
• 3064: Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park and Kalkallo