It’s potentially a very big day for Queensland-based grey nomads and others who park their caravans on suburban streets when they are not away on trips.
Later today, council delegates at the ongoing Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) conference are scheduled to vote on a resolution that could lead to significantly more regulation of where these vehicles are left.
The Sunshine Coast Council and Gold Coast Council jointly tabled the motion following a significant number of issues arising from the long-term parking of caravans and trailers on residential roads.
A Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson told the Grey Nomads that the motion was calling on the State Government to explore options for managing the storage of recreational vehicles on public roads.
Multiple caravans are often parked on suburban streets. PIC: Cizza
The council said the motion aims to address safety, parking capacity, and local amenity issues.
“It’s important to note that this endorsement reflects an advocacy position only and does not guarantee action,” the spokesperson said. “Council is asking the State to consider a holistic response for Queensland … this could include introducing legislation to manage people storing items on the road or creating a definition for recreational vehicles that would allow councils to introduce specific parking restrictions for these vehicles.”
Under current Queensland law, a trailer can legally occupy a street indefinitely, provided it’s under 7.5 metres long and weighs less than 4.5 tonnes.
The Sunshine Coast Council said it has explored various options, but current legislation, specifically the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995, does not provide practical tools for local governments to address this issue without affecting all parked vehicles.
It said that, under this Act, recreational vehicles may park on public roads if they are registered and parked lawfully. Heavy and long vehicles though are subject to additional parking restrictions.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg has reportedly spoken to Sunshine Coast Council about this issue.
He told the Grey Nomads that the government was happy to work with all councils to help deliver better solutions for their communities.
“Councils already have a range of options to regulate parking of recreational vehicles on roads, such as caravans and boat trailers,” Mr Mickelberg said. “If there is a way that we can enhance councils’ ability to deal with these challenges, we’re happy to have those conversations.”
Councils already have powers to remove vehicles from roads that have been abandoned or parked unsafely.
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Part of the problem is that yards are to tiny to accommodate either a caravan or motorhome.
So lets pick on caravans and motorhomes, what about Boats parked exactly the same way. if it’s registered it is legal to be parked on the road. BTW, my caravan is parked on in my yard. where I live streets are narrow and dickheads park cars opposite each other blocking streets.