Shrinking block sizes and the popularity of the camping lifestyle has led to an unwanted side effect in some areas … suburban streets ‘clogged up’ by caravans and motorhomes that have been parked long term.
As the backlash gathers momentum, more and more local authorities are exploring what steps they can take to eliminate the practice.
Sydney’s Sutherland Shire Council announced back in June that it was to implement a six-month trial of a ‘No Parking, Motor Vehicles Excepted’ rule at a number of locations in the area.
Warning notices will apparently be issued to trailer owners for the first three weeks of the trial, but they could then face the prospect of fines of $140.
Some caravans are left on the street for extended periods. PIC: Cizza
The trial had been scheduled to begin back in July but has since been delayed. Sutherland Shire Council tells the Grey Nomads that it is now not due to get underway in October.
When the six-month trial does get underway, the council will seek feedback from the public, with a summary of the feedback and results of the trial eventually being reported to the Sutherland Shire Local Transport Forum. A decision will then be taken on whether to make the new parking restrictions permanent, or potentially increase the number of affected locations.
It is understood that the council received several thousand complaints from local residents over the past year regarding the issue. Concerns raised include visual amenity, reduced sightlines for drivers, safety risks, and the long-term use of public roads for trailer storage.
The current rules for in-street trailer parking in the shire generally allow caravans, boats and trailers to be parked on a public road for up to 28 days if they are registered and comply with NSW parking rules. Heavy vehicles weighing more than 4.5 tonnes and long vehicles measuring 7.5 metres or more, are limited to one hour of parking in built-up areas.
Grey Nomad opinion on long term parking for vans is fairly divided, with many suggesting they have little alternative.
Long-term traveller, Carloyn, said she was on a trip to the NSW Central Coast she found land was at a premium, and there were quite a few vans parked on the streets.
“The issue here is that the streets are relatively narrow, and the parked vans obscure views of children and pedestrians … therefore, it’s a safety issue,” she said. “Caravanning in this amazing country is fantastic, and a real tourist industry boost but we need reasonably priced other options for parking vans.”
She thought thinking outside the box was required.
“Maybe, all new developments/suburbs should have a designated van/trailer parking area at a subsidised rate for residents in the area,” she said.
Fellow grey nomad, Mack, though had a different perspective.
“I fully believe that if you can’t keep your own van/trailer/motorhome/whatever parked on your own property, then you need to find ‘it’ another residence,” he said. “That might be storage, at someone else’s place, etc etc … there are different options available.”
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I can’t park in a built up area in a motorhome for mor than 1 hour
don’t buy a caravan if you can’t afford storage or park off street, there going to be the first to complain about someone breaking in (easy entry) or tagged