As the backlash against people parking their caravans, trailers or boats long term on suburban streets gathers momentum, more and more local authorities are exploring what steps they can take to eliminate the practice.
Sydney’s Sutherland Shire Council is the latest to act, and has announced it is to implement a six-month trial of a of ‘No Parking, Motor Vehicles Excepted’ rule at a number of locations in the area. Offenders face the prospect of fines of $140.
Councillors unanimously backed the motion after they had received a ‘Managing On-Street Parking of Trailers’ report from officers.
It is understood that the council received several thousand complaints from local residents over the past year regarding the issue.
Some caravans are left on the street for extended periods. PIC: Cizza
The council also resolved to make submissions to the Minister for Transport and the NSW Attorney General seeking legislation reform around the trailer parking issue.
Sutherland Shire will seek feedback from the public during the six-month trial period, with a summary of the feedback and results of the trial eventually being reported to the Sutherland Shire Local Transport Forum, before a decision is taken on whether to make the new parking restrictions permanent, or potentially increase the number of affected locations.
Before the new trial was officially adopted, a council spokesperson told the Grey Nomads there had been a number of problems relating to caravans trailers and boat parking in streets.
“The issues raised included visual amenity, reduced sightlines, safety risks, and prolonged storage on public roads,” the spokesperson said.
And this issue is certainly not just restricted to Australia’s largest city. In October last year, the Local Government Association Queensland (LGAQ) conference passed a motion calling for the state government to implement laws restricting on-street parking for recreational vehicles.
The issue, presented by the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast councils, now forms part of the LGAQ’s advocacy platform, although there was no immediate changes to any policy.
Even grey nomads appear divided on what the best approach is to this growing issue.
Previous discussion has seen a broad consensus that some streets are not suitable for long-term parking of large vehicles, but many also argued that – as long as the vehicle is registered and is obeying local regulations – there is no drama.
Ultimately though, the rising number of registered RVs, combined with shrinking block sizes, and often full and pricey vehicle storage facilities, has meant these vehicles parked on streets are becoming increasingly visible.
And that is making a lot of people unhappy.
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
House blocks are getting smaller, Parking on the street is fine as long as you can see around the RV Plus some streets are getting norrower in newer suburbs. so its part of the councils planning and the developers fault.
We’re currently on holidays at NSW Central Coast where land is at a premium, so there seems to be 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.
Caravanning in this amazing country is fantastic, and a real tourist industry boost. We need reasonably priced other options for parking vans. Maybe, all new developments/suburbs should have a designated van/trailer parking area at a subsidised rate for residents in the area. If, it’s found that there isn’t a need for this service then it could later be used for residential. That’s a win win!
I guess I will be the most hated person…but, 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. Storage, someone else’s place, etc etc. There are different options available. Our street parking is precisely that…street parking, for residents, visitors, etc. NOT permanent storage for those that own gear, but can’t find space at home. We de-clutter our closets, to make room for additional/different purposes. Either people declutter/renovate/improvise to secure their new purchase…or, they seek out a new residence for that said purchase. If you can afford a camper/motorhome/bus/van etc etc, then surely before you purchase, would you not like to secure a secure parking spot for it? This does NOT mean the street that you live in!!! Casual, short term parking, yes of course. Long term storage…sorry. Just because it is ‘registered’ (woohoo) doesn’t mean it is entitled to a permanent spot outside your/neighbours/friends/someone else’s place.
Well…just my thoughts on it all. Hate away!!!
I totally agree LMack so 2nd heated person. We have had our van for several years and knew that we did not have space at our home and didn’t believe it was our right to park permanently in the street we are in SA. To that point 8 out 10 times there were cars parked in the street so had to pack our car and then unpack once arrived at our destination as we were unable to bring the van home and pack it from there it added to travel time picking van up but that’s how it was. We paid for storage at a gated secure facility for about 8 years. We now have a larger block of land specifically to be able to have the van at home.
Fully agree. The first thing one should consider when buying a van is where it can be parked. If you dont have room on your own property then expect to pay to store it in a secure place, not just park up on the side of the public street… a bit entitled I say to park on the side of the road.
Bear in mind that motorhomes, converted buses are NOT ABLE to be included in these offensive actions by bureaucracy. They are fully registered for road use and have their own motor. Maybe fit a battery driven wheel system to the drawbar and declare your van as a motorised unit.
It’s the law in action. There are length restrictions on who gets to park where. My slide on camper is the legitimate length for street parking.
I have no other financial option, and the life on road trips is keeping me happy and young at heart.
Totally agree LMack! Thoughts of storage should be one of the first discussions caravan owners have. The entitlement people believe they have to park on the streets….soo much visual pollution.
I agree with you. Over the past 40 years we have owned camper trailers, vans and now a Motorhome. All of which we have kept on our own property or at times, in paid storage. Why should you expect your neighbours to put up with having to take extra care navigating around your van on the street. It’s bad enough navigating cars parked on the streets because blocks of land are so small they can’t fit all their cars on the block. These small blocks are now being allowed to build houses with granny flats attached. Hence more pressure on street parking. The government planning has lot to answer for!
Agree 100%
This sums up the whole argument well done
So no long term parking of a registered car as well?
I agree L Mac. RVs and vans look unsightly on streets and gobble up valuable car space. People can park them elsewhere and consider their neighbours. Also you are telling potential thief’s I’m heading off. Come and take my valuables Best place is van storage or elsewhere out of suburbia
It is annoying that councils are restricting parking on streets that they allowed to be built the size they are! Without warning, we got a fine for having our caravan on a side street – no house frontages no driveways. And it had an indent parking area. We broke the rule by having a ‘long’ vehicle for more than an hour in a ‘built up area’. No definition of a ‘long’ vehicle was given and i think you could clearly state that there are degrees in the definition of built up areas.
Our street is narrow so we didn’t attempt to park it there. We thought we were doing the right thing – out of everyone’s way and safe for us. We were preparing the van for sale. Hume Council Victoria say no more.
A money grab, no common sense in local govenment.
So when is an RV not an RV or what is the legal requirement/definition of on RV? E.g. a motorhome parked on a street versus a large 4×4? Councils are now paying the price of smaller block sizes and narrower streets. Seems to me that there may be a case for time restrictions for parking on all residential streets e.g. enough time to allow for vehicle cleaning and or loading/unloading of say 1 day so long as road safety is not compromised…. just saying!
How can they say NO PARKING of a registered vehicle? Put the caravan up the driveway and park your car on the street.
Hopefully there will be a short time allowance for packing and unpacking the van.
Perhaps 4 hours if it stays attached to the vehicle
We live in a place, not a street. I wonder how the garbage trucks would get round if my neighbour and I didn’t have off road caravan parking!!
I dont understand the problem. A caravan is registered for the road just like a car. What are you to do now not park your car.
If a caravan is parked illegally or impeded vision then yes ,people need to be more careful.
Councils are overpaid police. Pick up the rubbish and leave people alone.
To all the people winching buy a caravan and get a life.
If there are recreational vehicles and boats in the street, how is the rubbish truck going to pickup the bins
Damn right. It isn’t a case of parking in the street but storing. Vans are much wider and higher. If two caravans were parked on either side of the street then it could well block the street. Packing cars on the street is bad enough but somewhat understandable. Not for caravans
Rego is paid for,so therefore you should be allowed to park it anywhere the same as any other registered vehicle.Council created this problem with high density housing,narrow roads etc.
Maybe owners should park there cars on the street instead of their vans..Why not???
Steve, your missing the point, yes it’s a registered vehicle but is used infrequently compared to the daily or frequent use of a car. Basically your gaming the system by storing a large accommodation box on the side of the road.
Yes high density is a trend, however council didn’t force you to live in a high density area nor did they force you to buy a caravan, boat or trailer for that matter. High density housing allows people to live closer to their work and allows for better public transport due to increased population density.
First thing is to tighten up the existing rules around parking NOT outside your own home.
Living near a boat ramp, we have boats on trailers left for months, outside residents homes without recourse.
One guy has two boats, so he just swaps them every month, circumventing the 28 day rule.
Make all the streets 2hour parking which won’t cost 5 million dollars
Is not just caravans & Rvs but any type of trailers including boat trailers sitting parked for weeks & months on end.
so buy a $1000 crap box put 12 month rego on in and park it on the street, what council going to do then