Council parking law change to impact caravan and boat owners
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As caravans and boats continue to become more popular in Australia, the issue of where to park these large recreational vehicles is becoming increasingly contentious.
With residential streets clogged and tensions rising, one council is spearheading a push for a change in state laws to address the problem.
The Charles Sturt Council has announced its intention to petition South Australia's Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Tom Koutsantonis, to review legislation allowing local councils to enforce stricter parking regulations for caravans, boats, and trailers.
Currently, state laws limit the council's ability to manage long-term parking of these vehicles on public roads where no other restrictions are in place.
Kristie Johnson, the council's General Manager of Engaged Community, said that the council plans to seek a review of the relevant legislation to empower councils to enforce and manage the issue better.
This move comes in response to the growing number of expiations, or fines, issued by the council—111 in the last year alone—for breaches of the current Australian Road Rules.
These rules state that vehicles heavier than 4.5 tonnes or longer than 7.5 metres cannot be parked in built-up areas for more than one hour.
According to Charles Mountain, Manager of Safety and Infrastructure at the RAA, the uptick in caravan ownership is exacerbating the problem.
He pointed out that modern homes often have limited space between the property boundary and the garage, leaving owners with no choice but to park their recreational vehicles on the street.
This creates friction among residents and poses a challenge for councils trying to manage the situation fairly.
On-street parking of these large vehicles has long been frustrating for residents, especially in built-up areas where parking is already at a premium.
In some extreme cases, such as in Sydney's Northern City Council, tensions have escalated to vandalism, with residents spray-painting offensive messages on a boat to deter the owner from parking in their street.
Councils across Australia have adopted various approaches to tackle the issue. Randwick City Council, for example, has prohibited parking along a five-kilometre nature strip that had become a hotspot for ample vehicle parking.
Meanwhile, North Sydney council acknowledges the ongoing issue but has stated that the vehicles are 'legally permitted' to be there.
Currently, there are no specifics on the restrictions Charles Sturt Council will propose.
However, the council's initiative could set a precedent for other councils grappling with similar issues.
For caravan and boat owners, this potential law change could mean rethinking where they park their prized possessions.
It's a reminder to stay informed about local regulations and to consider the impact that parking large vehicles can have on the community.
In other news, the Noosa Shire Council in Queensland has introduced four-hour parking limits at the Noosa Spit car park to curb illegal camping at popular tourist spots.
The change marks a departure from the previous unlimited parking and will begin as a six-month trial. Signage will go up on 3 December. You can read more about it here.
How do you feel about the proposed law changes? Have you experienced tension in your area due to on-street parking of large vehicles? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below.
With residential streets clogged and tensions rising, one council is spearheading a push for a change in state laws to address the problem.
The Charles Sturt Council has announced its intention to petition South Australia's Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Tom Koutsantonis, to review legislation allowing local councils to enforce stricter parking regulations for caravans, boats, and trailers.
Currently, state laws limit the council's ability to manage long-term parking of these vehicles on public roads where no other restrictions are in place.
Kristie Johnson, the council's General Manager of Engaged Community, said that the council plans to seek a review of the relevant legislation to empower councils to enforce and manage the issue better.
State laws were reviewed to allow stricter parking rules for caravans and boats in Adelaide. Credit: Reddit
This move comes in response to the growing number of expiations, or fines, issued by the council—111 in the last year alone—for breaches of the current Australian Road Rules.
These rules state that vehicles heavier than 4.5 tonnes or longer than 7.5 metres cannot be parked in built-up areas for more than one hour.
According to Charles Mountain, Manager of Safety and Infrastructure at the RAA, the uptick in caravan ownership is exacerbating the problem.
He pointed out that modern homes often have limited space between the property boundary and the garage, leaving owners with no choice but to park their recreational vehicles on the street.
This creates friction among residents and poses a challenge for councils trying to manage the situation fairly.
On-street parking of these large vehicles has long been frustrating for residents, especially in built-up areas where parking is already at a premium.
In some extreme cases, such as in Sydney's Northern City Council, tensions have escalated to vandalism, with residents spray-painting offensive messages on a boat to deter the owner from parking in their street.
Councils across Australia have adopted various approaches to tackle the issue. Randwick City Council, for example, has prohibited parking along a five-kilometre nature strip that had become a hotspot for ample vehicle parking.
Meanwhile, North Sydney council acknowledges the ongoing issue but has stated that the vehicles are 'legally permitted' to be there.
However, the council's initiative could set a precedent for other councils grappling with similar issues.
For caravan and boat owners, this potential law change could mean rethinking where they park their prized possessions.
It's a reminder to stay informed about local regulations and to consider the impact that parking large vehicles can have on the community.
In other news, the Noosa Shire Council in Queensland has introduced four-hour parking limits at the Noosa Spit car park to curb illegal camping at popular tourist spots.
The change marks a departure from the previous unlimited parking and will begin as a six-month trial. Signage will go up on 3 December. You can read more about it here.
