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.

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.

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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.

Key Takeaways

• Charles Sturt Council in Adelaide is seeking to review state laws to introduce stricter parking restrictions for large vehicles like caravans and boats.
• Under current Australian Road Rules, larger vehicles have restrictions on how long they can be parked in built-up areas, but there is a push for even tougher restrictions.
• The increase in ownership of caravans and boats and limited space on residential properties has led to tension over on-street parking.
• While some councils have taken measures to address the issue, there are calls for more consistent and enforceable solutions to manage long-term parking and vehicle storage on public roads.

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.

 

[Antique cue]

Councils have far too much say they think they are a third arm of the government taking more control than what they are entitled to, developers cosy up to councils and the next thing you see are high rise units and town houses going up everywhere and there lies the problem regards the off street parking , if your car, trailer, or caravan is legally registered then by parking on the street is not illegal.
councils job is only to send out rate notices collect garbage and other minor jobs , and not to be a third arm of the government .

 

[Greg350]

Sydney's Northern Beaches have these signs.

 

[darrellh]

But surely if you can't park your boat, trailer or caravan securely on your own property you would not buy one. I wouldn't.

 

[Towing]

They could pay to put them in a secure storage place. A lot they are actually undercover in huge buildings. They should be allowed to park a caravan at home on the street for long enough to load and unload them.

 

[Johno54]

Caravans etc parked on the street are a danger to others reversing out of their driveways as they cannot see approaching traffic.

 

[Strider]

I've noticed, as have many others, new housing estates have very narrow roads and housing frontages that can barely park 1 car on their property. Maybe if councils went back to the times when it was actually possible to park 4 cars on your drive and your house was able to be built a proper distance between the next home we wouldn't be in this situation.

 

[Kaylee]

At my Mothers home there is a boat that has been sitting opposite her for over 12 months. It has never been moved, the tyres on the trailer are flat but it is allowed to sit there. The road is very narrow. She lives at the end of the cul de sac. There is only room for 1 car to drive down the road for the amount of cars parked there due to the amount of multiple unit blocks. Visitors have nowhere to park.

 

[IAN3005]

Liverpool, Sydney is even worse. You cannot park a trailer or a caravan ON YOUR property without incurring a fine.
I was visiting a house and I reversed into the driveway and my two front wheels were fractionally over the lease line. I would be eligible for a fine.
They actually have a van cruising the streets looking for people to fine.

 

[DLHM]

Councils have far too much say they think they are a third arm of the government taking more control than what they are entitled to, developers cosy up to councils and the next thing you see are high rise units and town houses going up everywhere and there lies the problem regards the off street parking , if your car, trailer, or caravan is legally registered then by parking on the street is not illegal.
councils job is only to send out rate notices collect garbage and other minor jobs , and not to be a third arm of the government .

I agree with what you say about the councils. Yep, definitely. But I don’t go along with trailers, caravans and boats parking on streets. They’re too obstructive.