Another NSW council has announced a crackdown on where and how people store their caravans, camper trailers and boats.
Sydney’s Randwick City Council has just installed no parking signs along a 4.5-kilometre stretch of Anzac Parade between Matraville and La Perouse.
It says the parking restrictions will affect the grassed median between the two carriageways of Anzac Parade, which have become increasingly popular for storage of boats, caravans and trailers.
“Council has received numerous complaints both directly and through its local Precinct Committees about the parking practices,” the authority said in a statement. “The parked vehicles increase the risk of accidents to pedestrians using these green spaces and cause a safety risk by obstructing sight lines for oncoming traffic.”
New rules mean these caravan onwers will now have to find a new place to store their vehicles. PIC: Randwick CIty Council
In response to the issues, the council decided to install regulatory signage in the short term and to consult with the community and Transport for NSW about installing permanent low-level railing.
Warning notices will be placed on vehicles currently parking in the area and letters will be sent to vehicle owners where possible.
The council says there will be a grace period to allow vehicles to move and adjust to the change before issuing fines. The penalty for disobeying no parking signage is $129.
“Council is also investigating creating a number of formalised parking bays along Anzac Parade to support residents parking cars (not boats or caravans),” it said in a statement. “More native and indigenous plants would be installed as well to improve the area and assist with screening, shade and noise reduction.
A variable message sign is being installed in the area advising motorists of the changed parking conditions.
Costing for the fencing, parking areas and plantings is estimated at $550,000 which will be considered in the 2025-26 budget.
Randwick is certainly not alone in identifying a caravan storage ‘issue’
After caravanning and camping has surged in popularity – especially since the pandemic – a new phenomenon has also struck … sky-high numbers of caravans, motorhomes and campervans that are not on the open road.
The result is an RV storage problem that is seeing many vehicles parked long-term on residential streets and that is causing angst in some communities.
In places like St Kilda in Melbourne, residents in one street said earlier this year that they often can’t find a parking spot for themselves, and that the area resembles a ‘caravan park’.
It appears likely then that the issue of caravans being ‘stored’ on public streets or in public areas is one which will continue to draw attention, and will see more local authorities taking action in the future.
I think that they shouldn’t be parked on the actual road for extended periods but parking them on nature strips & other such places is OK.
By doing that traffic is not affected in any way.
No I disagree it is not suitable to Park any Towable Vehicle / Caravan ETC on any Council Green Verge / Footpath, as this then can make it dangerous for a Pedestrian ( Say a School Student / Child / Parent / adult who may wish to walk safly along the Council / Grassed / Footpath.
Parking large vehicles such as caravans, boat trailers etc on nature strips blocks the view of oncoming traffic for people trying to get their cars out of their driveway. It is not OK to park on nature strips.
The said vehicles have paid rego fees so why cant they park like a normal car or the council provides an area for parking.
Because they AREN’T normal cars
This is just another grab for revenue-raising. A median strip is part of a “road reserve”, which is typically managed by Transport for NSW. I can see these fines being challenged in court, with state laws overriding local by-laws.
It’s nice to have Toys .
But these situations don’t help anyone .
The same applies to multiple Cars.
Nobody wants to use public transport as they have to walk to it.
A bit Selfish.
Look how Europe deals with it.
I have a Van
But i bought it Knowing i Could Store it OFF Road.
2 many with to many TOYS.
The days of large Blocs have GONE as they sell off the Back to pay for ???? or TOYS
Now for the criticism.
BAH HUMBUG !!!
Your van or boat is your responsibility. Park it on your property. Not on the street or naturestrip anywhere.
Caravans and trailers which are legally registered and insured are by law are allowed to park on public streets or roads with a degree of common sense they will not impede normal traffic flow or conditions. Big blocks in new subdivisions are becoming rare with new developments, but this is not the fault of trailer owners. If councils and government were serious, they would accommodate low-cost parking areas for resident trailers. The reason owners are parking on the roads outside their properties is the high costs of storage which can range from $1,200/00 (CHEAP) to $3,200.00 per year even while you’re on the road. My experience is your storage space is under no reserve unless it’s paid for.
What does the caravan owner’s insurance company say? Do they ask “where is the caravan usually garaged?”
If so, then the caravan should be stored there on that private address.
Boats are another item that is stored on public property.
More councils should take up the cudgel and issue warnings and infringements.
My Opinion.
What if the “grassed median” is a road related area just like car parks etc. it will fall into an authorised area under NSW road rules !!!
It is not that simple, Chris T
We are lucky to be able to park our van in our driveway.
If I couldn’t store my caravan on my own property (I can) then I would pay whatever it costs to store it commercially or sell it. Storing it on the roadside is IMHO not an option, it is a selfish imposition on road users.
We have 6 vans in our street, non of which are owned by local residents. One is overlength which I have reported to council. I have received a reply stating that “regulatory action has been taken”, whatever that means.
Two have canvas covers which obscure all lights, reflectors and number plates. I have been told that this is a police issue. Police regularly patrol this street, but nothing is ever done.
These people are totally arrogant and inconsiderate.