As caravans and motorhomes as a whole get bigger, so too does the problem of where to store them when they’re not out on the open road.
The outrage which greeted a local authority decision last week to force the closure of an RV storage business sin Perth’s northern suburbs illustrated just how delicate a situation it is.
More than 200 people have stored their caravans, mobile homes and trailers on Monty Shipman’s property at Jandabup in the City of Wanneroo … but that could all be about to end.
The council has issued a notice ordering Mr Shipman to stop using the land for storage, and he has been given 61 days to remove all unauthorised stored items, including caravans, boats, scaffolding and building materials of face fines of up to $200,000.
Planning and sustainability director Mark Dickson said the city had investigated a complaint that more than 50 caravans were parked at the property and discovered that the storage yard use was not permitted in the general rural zone. He said people were allowed to store one caravan within private property in residential areas.
However, grey nomads Richard and Helen Wood told the Wanneroo Times there was huge demand for the service and the vehicles would ‘end up littering the gardens and house fronts’ without it.
“The owner of this facility has always provided us with a safe and secure place to store our caravan,” they said. “This business is doing absolutely no harm to the environment and is providing a much needed facility.”
Several owners told the newspaper they didn’t have space at their homes to store caravans, including Mervyn Barrett said he and wife Cheryl who lived in an over 55 village.
“We have nowhere to store our caravan in the area, and without economical storage we will be forced to sell it,” he said. “It seems pedantic for the council to take such a hardnosed approach to caravan storage when there is such a strong demand for the service.”
Another part-time traveller John Willett said it would be a challenge to fit his caravan on his property and the service was valuable to those storing caravans, mobile homes, campers and large four-wheel-drives.
“There is a significant need for this kind of facility in Perth and the number of people availing of the space is growing each week,” he said. “The caravan or camping industry is a significant growth industry and figures are available to show that in the 35 to 55 age group the increase is quite extraordinary … ad this to the ‘grey nomad’ and you have one of the strongest sectors in the economy.”
Our van is stored in a caravan storage yard. It is too big for our yard. Not fair on neighbours to park it on nature strip.
there is a storage area near forrestdale. .on the way to baldivis wa
We have lived in our motorhome for three yrs but now face $135 a month to store at our local storage facility. But thats our choice. We arent finished with it yet. Our onlgg worry is kust how secure it will be in a fenced yard.
Our Motor Home sits inside a Large lock up shed at home, its a 7.3m long unit.
Yes storage is a concern. People acquire cars, boats, campers, motorhomes , caravan all of which are getting bigger and bigger yet house blocks get smaller and smaller. It is worth finding secure safe storage for these expensive purchases. And to have it at home unfortunately there are some shires or councils that will crack down on that. These WA councils have gripe on property owners. I remember two guys who were getting council harrassment for trucks and machinery on their own property both large properties in rural areas, Bullsbrook and Oakford. Both properties tidy neat and well maintained.
Our storage facility in Forster (mid north coast of NSW) recently changed hands which meant 60 vans, motorhomes and boats have to find storage elsewhere.
(a) Para 5 Line 1 ‘council had investigated a complaint’ – that implies that only one person has actually complained
(b) before making any further comments would like to know how long has this facility been available
Good point. I just wonder if the council have received a request to grant a storage facility permit from someone else. My motto….. Follow The Money! You will be surprised to see where it leads.
I use to park my motorhome on a area at no thorugh road , now the residents who live either side of it , don’t want me to continue as it kills the grass,so i have no alternative except to park it in my driveway & the car outside the fence. I live on a corner, and i did not give it much thought 20odd years ago,
The only complaint is that these greedy Council’s hate seeing someone making money and they’re not.
I owned a pop top campervan which fitted under my garage roof but the vehicle was too small for long stints away. So I have been looking at a larger motorhome but have a problem fitting it in my garage. Like so many others I too will be looking for somewhere safe to park it. Perhaps the Caravan and Motorhome clubs should band together and canvas governments to look at options for us.
Apparently it is ok to park your van in the street as long as it is registered . Closing down storage yards will fill up the streets. Not a smart idea
Hastings Port Macquarie Council did the same to me, after I pointed out the DANGER to motorists if I did as she wanted, she said “I don’t care, just get it off Council property, it’s regestered, put it on the road”.
If you cannot store it off the public owned street, you cannot afford it. Vehicles in the street drag down the value of every one else’s homes. It might be your treasure but its junk on the street for everyone else.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church at Maida Vale on Kalamunda Dr Perth provide storage facilities for vans/boats/cars etc. $4 per day with additional .50c a day to be connected to power. Very large area behind boom gate.
We have made use of the storage when house sitting in Perth and have the need to store our van.
Very convenient and easy access.
Morning
We are also looking for caravan storage in the Northern suburbs if possible for a large 9.5m van.
Looking for affordable and secure parking long term.
Any suggestions would be appreciated