While some local authorities are looking to clamp down on caravans and trailers parked on public streets, Perth’s City of Stirling is looking at potentially moving in a different direction.
It says that trailers, motorhomes and caravans which are unattached to a motor vehicle cannot currently be parked on any portion of a thoroughfare, including residential verges.
However, the City is interested in hearing whether people support or object to allowing these vehicles to be parked on residential verges, which are also known as nature strips in other parts of Australia … and it is seeking community feedback on the issue.
On its website, the council says it’s a topic that’s often sparks discussion.
Should caravans be allowed to be left on roadside verges? PIC: City of Stirling
“Some residents have told the City they’d value the convenience of storing these vehicles close to home,” it said. “While others have shared concerns about safety, access and streetscape appearance.”
The council describes a verge as being the area of land between the property boundary line and the kerb and says the general maintenance of verges is the responsibility of the adjacent householder.
It says the subject of whether caravan and motorhomes should be allowed to be kept on these strips is ‘a topic that’s often parked in our inbox’.
“We’re interested in hearing whether you support or object to allowing these vehicles to be parked on residential verges,” it said.
The public consultation comes ahead of the local authority’s review of the Parking Local Law.
In many parts of the country, shrinking block sizes and the popularity of the camping lifestyle has led to an unwanted side effect in some areas … suburban streets ‘clogged up’ by caravans and motorhomes that have been parked long term.
As the backlash gathers momentum, more and more local authorities are exploring what steps they can take to eliminate the practice.
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