Anger is growing in areas of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast over the number of caravans and motorhomes being parked long-term in suburban streets and ‘clogging up’ the road.
The Sunshine Coast News reports that many of the owners of the RVs had ‘waited out’ the Covid-19 pandemic on the road, and now found they had no room for the vehicles on their properties, or were yet to sell them.
Some of the offenders are reportedly absentee vehicle owners who ‘set down and forget’ their toys in on-street parking away from their place of business or residence.
Others use the streets intermittently at their convenience on weekends and holiday periods.
Is it okay to 'store' an RV on a public street? PIC: CIzza
Chris Houley, who has been travelling Australia full time in his caravan for the past 18 months, said he was shocked at the number of caravans parked on residential streets on the Sunshine Coast.
“I would think the council should have some regulations about parking in the same spot for month after month without ever being moved,” he told the Sunshine Coast News. “As a fellow caravan owner, the done thing is to pay for caravan storage if there is no room on your property.”
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said that all drivers must park lawfully, safely and consider other road users and pedestrians when parking their vehicle.
Caravans, boats and trailers were considered a vehicle and a registered vehicle was allowed to park on a road.
The spokesperson told the Sunshine Coast News that there was no limit to the time in which a caravan, boat or trailer could be parked, unless a parking control sign was in place, indicating a time limit.
The Sunshine Coast News reports that the council also gives these extra tips for parking in residential streets:
# Do you think it is ‘out of order’ for RV owners to park their vehicles on public streets for weeks or months at at time. Comment below.
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It amuses me that people can spend huge amounts of money on a recreational vehicle then too tight to pay for storage. We live in Hervey Bay and it is becoming a problem here. We could park our 16ft van on a slip road in front of our unit complex, but choose to store off site at a dedicated facility. We are not rolling in money, we simply budget for this expense.
It amuses me that some people consider they have the right to dictate variations to established law just because they don’t like a particular law. Where might this over-entitlement stop?
To answer the question “how long is too long”, there are two answers that matter – 7.5 metres and one hour.
Or the damage that can happen to them
Where I live there is a two year waiting list at all van storage facilities in a 100Klm radius. Doesn’t help.
It may be legal, but it’s very inconsiderate to other road users. There’s a street near where I live (Brisbane Bayside) with three caravans and a trailer boat all parked within a 50m area.
Like most, not in my street 🙂
They pay rego, let them park.
These are ok if there is no time limit signs in place. The tips above if read correctly allow RV’s (under 4.5Tonnes), Caravans under 7.5M, and trailers to park on road in front of their own property. There is a 3M clearance required too, but if neighbouring properties park opposite then I believe, knowing most roads that this 3M width will not be there then.
Developers need to look seriously at homes and design with required property to allow for extra parking.
I would never store my caravan kerbside unless it was an emergency and I find long-term storage of vans and motorhomes on streets a nuisance and annoying but, if the vehicle is registered, it is legal so that is that.
Roy.
Don’t see where there is a problem. Rules appear clear to me, just follow them or suffer the consequences. If one does not like them, get elected and get it changed!
If it’s legal in every way I see no problems.
I’ve noticed this problem in a lot of Towns & Cities during my yearly 3.5Mth trips. These RV’s should not be allowed to block up our streets, particularly when people park them in front of other peoples houses.
ALL GOOD MY FRIENDS !!!
No doubt this will provoke many arguments for and against. I can see any one property alone with a couple of grown up kids could have a possible 5 or even 6 vehicles [not even counting caravan, Motor- homes, trailers etc] no doubt they could be the ones complaining about an RV taking up ‘their’ parking spots outside their homes.
I [And a grown up Son] personally have sacrificed a ‘pretty’ landscaped front garden, for graveled & paved areas catering for 2 x RV’s, car, work ute, and trailer. Rather than park outside on cul-de-sac, that badly needs every little bit of parking constantly for peoples visitors parking, dustbin day, couriers etc.To be honest, I would not have purchased an RV unless I had my own parking on site.
Interesting, Japan are not allowed to buy an RV unless they have their own parking, think maybe same for other vehicles? Mainly no over night parking of anything, which of course would stop most people owning so many vehicles. Perhaps they went through same problems.
Vonjean
Now that is a fantastic way to do it . I fully agree with the Japanese way.
I live in the Joondalup City (shire) in WA and you are not even allowed to park your own caravan on your own verge without being fined. It must be store BEHIND the letterbox as in front of the letterbox but not on the road is considered illegal!
I live in Rockingham, gotta love WA council rules
Parking on the verge (footpath/grassed area) which is public property, is illegal in many if not most area, but this article refers to parking on the roadway which is generally legal
Parking on a roadside for short term (less than 24 hours) is very different to storage on road side for weeks, months or years. The need to FO.
Aah. The Peoples Democratic Republic of Joondalup.
If a vehicle is registered then I don’t understand the upset of parking legally despite any comments of park at home or otherwise experiences of readers. Many today just do not have the privilege of some with large blocks and parking but still as we all should have the opportunity to own and use a holiday vehicle. For note; I do park off road but fully support those who need to park on the road.
If they don’t have the space… don’t buy the toy. Simple logic. Hire it when you need it would be more economical too!
The upset is because there is often very limited parking for cars on residential streets without recreational vehicles being parked in those limited spaces indefinitely. It is selfish to take up a park for months at a time and cause inconvenience to your neighbours and visitors to the street.
Maybe council should approve bigger housing blocks as a family of 4 as they kids get older normally have cars as well and nowhere to park but on the street . This is becoming ore of a problem across all vehicles not just vans and motor homes.
To quote the local council: IT IS LEGAL TO PARK THERE CARVAN ON THE STREET!!!!! Get a life!!!!! They pay registration and insurance for their caravan, which is more than push bike riders do. Brian H
I have a truck that has a GVM over 4.5T and its primary use is to tow our caravan. It is privately registered and is used as my “daily driver” as well. It is not fair that I should only be able to park the truck on the street for 1 hour per day.
If your RV is over 7.5m (24.7feet) long including the draw bar. I believe the Road Rules state that you cannot park it on the road for over 1 hour in a residential zone. The same rule apply in Victoria. You risk receiving a parking infringement.
I see no problem if it’s within the council bylaws and road laws in the area.
Just keep moving. Then not a problem.
I see this everywhere, including Brisbane and Perth. People buy a caravan or a boat, but don’t have room to store it in their land. It is bloody ridiculous. If you can’t store it at home, or sone where else (professional storage), then don’t buy it. OR sell your house and buy somewhere appropriate. FFS ! Public streets are not for storage you selfish idiots. I am not a lover of Councils, but they should issue warnings, then fines, then tow/ confiscate offending vans, boats and cars that stay for more than 4 weeks in one spot.
Living in Peregian Springs since 2004 caravans and boats are being parked on the roads for months on end therefore reducing the, already, too narrow roads to a single lane and adding to this children are also playing on the road. A disaster waiting to happen. When is Council going to get serious and limit the amount of time they can remain on the road. The rules need tobe changed. Caravan owners should consider where they are to be stored, when not in use.