When Mark Cooper stepped outside his Mermaid Beach home and saw a caravan parked just four metres from his driveway for the eighth consecutive week, he decided enough was enough.
Armed with printer paper and sticky tape, he crafted 'urgent notice' signs and plastered them across the offending vehicle.
But Mark's frustration represents just the tip of the iceberg in what's become a nationwide caravan parking crisis that's tearing neighbourhoods apart and forcing councils into increasingly drastic measures.
In this article
The Gold Coast confrontation
Mark Cooper's predicament began when his neighbour's caravan appeared outside his home on the busy Gold Coast street, creating what he describes as a dangerous blind spot.
Every time he reverses from his driveway, he's gambling with his safety and that of passing motorists.
'It's a busy road, and when I drive out, I'm totally blind to whether cars are coming. It's caused multiple sharp brakes and near hits,' Mark explained.
The situation becomes even more concerning given the nearby childcare centre, with countless young children in the area daily.
'It's a busy road, and when I drive out, I'm totally blind to whether cars are coming'
According to Mark, the caravan owners have been playing a game of musical chairs with their vehicle, moving it from street to street after receiving complaints from other neighbours.
'They didn't come and ask permission to put it there, it just got dumped because their immediate neighbours didn't want it in their street,' he claimed.
A national nightmare in the making
Mark's experience isn't unique. Community reporting app Snap Send Solve has already received 2,100 complaints about residential caravan parking in 2024, highlighting how this issue is affecting thousands of Australian families.
Sydney's Northern Beaches Council alone fielded 288 complaints last year, while a Sunshine Coast resident's petition calling for stricter parking restrictions has gathered over 500 signatures.
The problem has become so widespread that multiple councils are launching investigations and passing motions to address resident concerns about boats, caravans and trailers clogging up suburban streets.
The cost of caravan conflicts
Recent cases across Australia show the real financial impact:
• Perth resident forced to pay $80 monthly for caravan storage after neighbour complaints
• Sydney council spent $700 installing 15-metre no-parking zone for one resident
• Northern Beaches Council installing 'Motor Vehicles Excepted' signs across multiple streets
When councils take drastic action
Some councils aren't just talking—they're taking dramatic action that's dividing communities. In Sydney's Penshurst, Georges River Council installed a 15-metre no-parking zone outside one woman's house after she complained about a neighbour's caravan, without consulting other residents.
Caravan owner Michael Bajjada said the move had 'punish(ed) the entire neighbourhood', while the decision cost taxpayers $700. Meanwhile, in Perth, Eddy Luquero was forced to move his caravan to paid storage costing $80 monthly after a council ranger knocked on his door following neighbour complaints.
What the law actually says
The rules around caravan parking can be confusing, varying significantly between councils and states. However, there are some consistent requirements across Australia.
Registered caravans under 7.5 metres long and weighing less than 4.5 tonnes can generally be parked on streets, provided they comply with regular parking rules and aren't parked illegally.
Legal requirements for street caravan parking
- Must be registered and roadworthy
- Under 7.5 metres in length
- Weighing less than 4.5 tonnes
- Cannot block driveways, footpaths or create hazards
- Must comply with local parking restrictions and time limits
- Some councils require regular movement to prevent long-term storage
The City of Gold Coast confirmed that under Queensland road rules, caravans may legally park on public roads provided they meet specific criteria. In Mark's case, there are no parking restrictions on Dolphin Avenue that would prevent the caravan from parking there legally.
Safety first: the expert view
Traffic lawyer Avinash Singh warns that parking on narrow residential streets is a quick way to get neighbours 'offside,' explaining that large vehicles can obstruct visibility and even be dangerous for other drivers.
'We have heard of an increase in a lot of residents complaining about caravans being parked. The complaints we get are that they're not just taking up space, but that it's also unsafe for drivers, particularly on narrower streets,' Singh told Yahoo News.
Northern Beaches councillor Vincent De Luca echoed these safety concerns, telling council meetings: 'We see large craft, obstructing vision causing accidents'.
The human cost of the caravan craze
The rise in caravan popularity over recent years has compounded parking scarcity issues on residential streets nationwide. Research shows Australians are becoming less interested in knowing their neighbours compared to 20 years ago, with almost two-thirds having lived next to someone for more than six months without meeting them.
These existing tensions often stem from common neighbourhood issues such as excessive noise (38 per cent), rudeness and disrespect (23 per cent), with nearly one in three saying they've had disagreements with neighbours over issues like parking.
Finding middle ground
Experts like traffic lawyer Avinash Singh urge drivers to learn their local council regulations and ensure they have a storage solution if they can't store vehicles on their property. Prospective caravan owners are being urged to figure out their parking plan prior to making a purchase.
Did you know?
What does this mean for you?
If you own a caravan: Research your local council's specific rules before parking long-term. Consider the impact on neighbours and have a backup storage plan. Be prepared for potential storage costs if complaints arise.
If you're affected by caravan parking: Try direct, respectful communication first. Document safety concerns with photos and times. Contact your council if the issue persists, but be aware they may install restrictions that affect everyone on your street.
For Mark Cooper, the immediate solution remains elusive. He's hoping his polite notices will encourage the caravan owners to move their vehicle voluntarily. If not, he's prepared to escalate the matter to Gold Coast City Council, knowing full well that any official intervention might affect parking for everyone in his street.
Community mediation services like the Dispute Settlement Centre offer free and impartial mediation for neighbour disputes, providing an alternative to formal council complaints that could benefit both sides.
What This Means For You
As Australia's love affair with caravanning continues to grow, finding practical solutions that balance the rights of caravan owners with the needs of local communities becomes increasingly urgent. The alternative is more neighbourhoods torn apart by disputes that could have been resolved with a simple conversation and a bit of common sense.
Have you experienced similar caravan parking issues in your neighbourhood? What solutions worked best for resolving the conflict? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below—your insights could help other readers navigate these tricky situations.
Original Article
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...leaves-aussie-neighbour-fuming-235755842.html
Legal Caravan Parking: Neighbor Dispute Resolved?
Cited text: A neighbour has a problem with me legally parking my caravan out the front of my house. He has stated it impacts on hisHave you had any direct convers...
Excerpt: Mark Cooper's predicament began when his neighbour's caravan appeared outside his home on the busy Gold Coast street, creating what he describes as a dangerous blind spot
https://www.justanswer.com/australian-law/r24pc-neighbour-problem-legally-parking-caravan.html
Legal Caravan Parking: Neighbor Dispute Resolved?
Cited text: Customer: Initially—around 6 month's ago, he asked me to park it on the nature strip. I advised him I would not.
Excerpt: According to Mark, the caravan owners have been playing a game of musical chairs with their vehicle, moving it from street to street after receiving complaints from other neighbours
https://www.justanswer.com/australian-law/r24pc-neighbour-problem-legally-parking-caravan.html
Caravan owner forced to pay $80 per month after neighbour's complaint
Cited text: There have already been 2,100 complaints so far this year about residential caravan parking to Snap Send Solve, the community reporting app told Yahoo...
Excerpt: Mark's experience isn't unique. Community reporting app Snap Send Solve has already received 2,100 complaints about residential caravan parking in 2024
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...nth-after-neighbours-complaint-065326923.html
Council urges residents to dob in neighbours over growing caravan and boat issue
Cited text: A Northern Beaches Council spokesperson recently told Yahoo News it is one of the most complained about issues it deals with, after receiving some 288...
Excerpt: Sydney's Northern Beaches Council alone fielded 288 complaints last year
https://au.news.yahoo.com/council-u...growing-caravan-and-boat-issue-234922320.html
Caravan owner forced to pay $80 per month after neighbour's complaint
Cited text: ... A Sunshine Coast resident recently started a petition, urging the local council to enforce tighter parking restrictions after two caravans appeare...
Excerpt: a Sunshine Coast resident's petition calling for stricter parking restrictions has gathered over 500 signatures
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...nth-after-neighbours-complaint-065326923.html
Council urges residents to dob in neighbours over growing caravan and boat issue
Cited text: For months, Sydney's Northern Beaches Council has been grappling with the issue, launching a months long investigation last last year about how best t...
Excerpt: multiple councils are launching investigations and passing motions to address resident concerns about boats, caravans and trailers clogging up suburban streets
https://au.news.yahoo.com/council-u...growing-caravan-and-boat-issue-234922320.html
Council's wild move in neighbourhood parking dispute
Cited text: A neighbour's complaints about a caravan parked in front of her home has resulted in the local council installing a no parking zone outside her house ...
Excerpt: In Sydney's Penshurst, Georges River Council installed a 15-metre no-parking zone outside one woman's house after she complained about a neighbour's caravan, without consulting other residents
https://au.news.yahoo.com/councils-wild-move-in-neighbourhood-parking-dispute-063736899.html
Council's wild move in neighbourhood parking dispute
Cited text: Their response was to install 'no parking' signs on the 15-metre stretch of road in front of her house, without consulting other residents first.
Excerpt: In Sydney's Penshurst, Georges River Council installed a 15-metre no-parking zone outside one woman's house after she complained about a neighbour's caravan, without consulting other residents
https://au.news.yahoo.com/councils-wild-move-in-neighbourhood-parking-dispute-063736899.html
Council's wild move in neighbourhood parking dispute
Cited text: Owner of the caravan, Michael Bajjada, said the move had 'punish(ed) the entire neighbourhood'.
Excerpt: Caravan owner Michael Bajjada said the move had 'punish(ed) the entire neighbourhood'
https://au.news.yahoo.com/councils-wild-move-in-neighbourhood-parking-dispute-063736899.html
Council's wild move in neighbourhood parking dispute
Cited text: Source: 9News · The decision reportedly cost taxpayers $700 and was an issue that Georges River Council unanimously agreed on, according to 9News.
Excerpt: the decision cost taxpayers $700
https://au.news.yahoo.com/councils-wild-move-in-neighbourhood-parking-dispute-063736899.html
Caravan owner forced to pay $80 per month after neighbour's complaint
Cited text: Eddy Luquero has had his caravan for over three years, but received a knock on his door last month from a council ranger, insisting he would have to m...
Excerpt: Meanwhile, in Perth, Eddy Luquero was forced to move his caravan to paid storage costing $80 monthly after a council ranger knocked on his door following neighbour complaints
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...nth-after-neighbours-complaint-065326923.html
Caravan owner forced to pay $80 per month after neighbour's complaint
Cited text: Eddy now pays $80 every month to store his caravan in long-term storage.
Excerpt: Meanwhile, in Perth, Eddy Luquero was forced to move his caravan to paid storage costing $80 monthly after a council ranger knocked on his door following neighbour complaints
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...nth-after-neighbours-complaint-065326923.html
Victorian road rules for parking and stopping | RACV
Cited text: Registered towable vehicles including caravans, campers and boat/trailers can be parked on the street if the vehicle is under 7.5m in length and less ...
Excerpt: Registered caravans under 7.5 metres long and weighing less than 4.5 tonnes can generally be parked on streets, provided they comply with regular parking rules and aren't parked illegally
https://www.racv.com.au/cars-transport/road-safety/road-rules/parking-stopping.html
Legal Caravan Parking: Neighbor Dispute Resolved?
Cited text: When he made the first request I told him that I would be looking into redesigning my front yard to accommodate it. I am in the process of doing so ri...
Excerpt: The City of Gold Coast confirmed that under Queensland road rules, caravans may legally park on public roads provided they meet specific criteria
https://www.justanswer.com/australian-law/r24pc-neighbour-problem-legally-parking-caravan.html
Caravan owner forced to pay $80 per month after neighbour's complaint
Cited text: Traffic lawyer Avinash Singh told Yahoo News it's a quick way to get neighbours 'offside' if you park on a narrow residential street.
Excerpt: Traffic lawyer Avinash Singh warns that parking on narrow residential streets is a quick way to get neighbours 'offside,' explaining that large vehicles can obstruct visibility and even be dangerous for other drivers
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...nth-after-neighbours-complaint-065326923.html
Caravan owner forced to pay $80 per month after neighbour's complaint
Cited text: Sometimes, because of their size, they can even be a danger in terms of driving,' Singh told Yahoo, explaining that the large vehicles can obstruct vi...
Excerpt: Traffic lawyer Avinash Singh warns that parking on narrow residential streets is a quick way to get neighbours 'offside,' explaining that large vehicles can obstruct visibility and even be dangerous for other drivers
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...nth-after-neighbours-complaint-065326923.html
Caravan owner forced to pay $80 per month after neighbour's complaint
Cited text: 'We have heard of an increase in a lot of residents complaining about caravans being parked. The complaints we get are that they're not just taking up...
Excerpt: 'We have heard of an increase in a lot of residents complaining about caravans being parked.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...nth-after-neighbours-complaint-065326923.html
Council urges residents to dob in neighbours over growing caravan and boat issue
Cited text: Source: Supplied · According to councillor Vincent De Luca, who introduced the latest motion at the council meeting, the issue has become a danger by ...
Excerpt: Northern Beaches councillor Vincent De Luca echoed these safety concerns, telling council meetings: 'We see large craft, obstructing vision causing accidents'
https://au.news.yahoo.com/council-u...growing-caravan-and-boat-issue-234922320.html
Caravan owner forced to pay $80 per month after neighbour's complaint
Cited text: The rise in caravan popularity over the last few years has only compounded the issue of parking scarcity on residential streets across the country.
Excerpt: The rise in caravan popularity over recent years has compounded parking scarcity issues on residential streets nationwide
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...nth-after-neighbours-complaint-065326923.html
How Neighbourly Are Aussies in 2025? | Real Insurance | Real Insurance
Cited text: The study found a significant shift in social dynamics, with most (72 per cent) saying Aussies are less interested in knowing their neighbours compared to 20 ...
Excerpt: Research shows Australians are becoming less interested in knowing their neighbours compared to 20 years ago, with almost two-thirds having lived next to someone for more than six months without meeting them
https://www.realinsurance.com.au/news-views/the-real-neighbours-report-2025
How Neighbourly Are Aussies in 2025? | Real Insurance | Real Insurance
Cited text: These tensions often stem from common neighbourhood pet peeves, such as excessive noise (38 per cent), rudeness and disrespect (23 per cent), and nosey neighbours (22...
Excerpt: These existing tensions often stem from common neighbourhood issues such as excessive noise (38 per cent), rudeness and disrespect (23 per cent), with nearly one in three saying they've had disagreements with neighbours over issues like parking
https://www.realinsurance.com.au/news-views/the-real-neighbours-report-2025
Caravan owner forced to pay $80 per month after neighbour's complaint
Cited text: He has urged drivers to learn what regulations their local council has in place and to ensure they have decided on a storage solution if they can't st...
Excerpt: Experts like traffic lawyer Avinash Singh urge drivers to learn their local council regulations and ensure they have a storage solution if they can't store vehicles on their property
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...nth-after-neighbours-complaint-065326923.html
Caravan owner forced to pay $80 per month after neighbour's complaint
Cited text: Prospective caravan owners are being urged to figure out what their parking plan will be prior to making a purchase.
Excerpt: Prospective caravan owners are being urged to figure out their parking plan prior to making a purchase
https://au.news.yahoo.com/caravan-o...nth-after-neighbours-complaint-065326923.html
Legal Caravan Parking: Neighbor Dispute Resolved?
Cited text: If direct communication doesn’t work or feels unsafe, consider reaching out to a community mediation service. The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victori...
Excerpt: Community mediation services like the Dispute Settlement Centre offer free and impartial mediation for neighbour disputes
https://www.justanswer.com/australian-law/r24pc-neighbour-problem-legally-parking-caravan.html
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