Caravan owners in south-east Queensland may need to find new parking solutions as the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast councils aim to impose restrictions on street parking. A joint motion addressing this issue will be presented at the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) conference, taking place from March 4 to March 6, 2024. Each year, the Sunshine Coast Council receives over 700 complaints related to caravan congestion on local streets.
The councils are responding to a growing number of online petitions urging a ban on street parking for caravans, citing concerns over congestion and visibility. Current regulations in Queensland allow trailers up to 7.5 metres long and weighing less than 4.5 tonnes to park indefinitely on public streets. This has raised frustrations among residents who argue that the presence of these vehicles creates safety hazards and visual obstructions.
Local Leaders Call for Change
Rosanna Natoli, Mayor of the Sunshine Coast, emphasized that this issue falls under state jurisdiction. She stated, “These vehicles are perfectly registered and therefore they can be on the roads.” Natoli advocates for the state government to classify recreational vehicles under the Transport Operations Road Use Management Act, which currently does not differentiate between vehicle types. “This would allow councils to set vehicle-specific parking limits,” she added.
Natoli suggested that a new “Unattended Property Act,” similar to existing legislation in New South Wales, could empower local councils to manage long-term parking more effectively. “If people are leaving these kinds of vehicles on the sides of the roads for long periods, then council has an ability to act,” she noted.
State Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg expressed a willingness to collaborate with local councils on this issue. He acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and mentioned that councils already have some capacity to create local laws regarding parking. “If there is a way we can enhance their ability to deal with these challenges, we’re happy to have that conversation,” Mickelberg said.
Community Perspectives on Parking Challenges
Opinions among locals vary regarding the caravan parking situation. As Sunshine Coast residents, Rachel Stubbs and Brendan Hanks are in the market for a new caravan but understand the frustrations of their neighbors. Hanks remarked, “I think people take a few too many liberties with them.” He pointed out that some caravans remain parked for months, creating visual blocks that can lead to safety issues. “We’ve got one near our place that you need to poke your head around, so you don’t get wiped out by a passing car,” he added.
Stubbs echoed these sentiments, describing some caravans as “eyesores,” noting that not all are well-maintained. “Some of them look like they haven’t moved in years and are just taking up space,” she said.
Local tradesman Zane Moore expressed concern about how potential new regulations might impact his ability to park work trailers. “Some of these caravans are ridiculous, and the streets are congested just with cars — I don’t know what else they can do,” he said. Moore suggested that developments should ensure roads are wide enough to accommodate street parking without causing safety hazards.
The LGAQ conference is a crucial platform for local councils to address and vote on motions that impact their communities. Alison Smith, CEO of the LGAQ, stated that motions are debated and voted on by all Queensland councils. “If supported by the membership, they become part of the LGAQ’s advocacy platform on behalf of councils and their local communities,” she explained.
As the councils prepare to address the growing concerns over caravan parking, the outcome of this motion could significantly influence the future of street parking regulations in Queensland.
