Sick of squeezing past caravans and boats that look like they’ve set up camp on your street? Or perhaps you’re just itching for the next long weekend, when the morning air is crisp and you can finally hitch the caravan to the back of your car. There’s just no room to park it on your property.
Either way, the City of Charles Sturt is seeking changes to state legislation in a bid to crack down on long-term parking of large vehicles, including caravans, boats, and trailers, on residential streets.
The council plans to write to South Australia’s Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Tom Koutsantonis, asking for a review of current laws.
Under current Australian Road Rules, vehicles longer than 7.5 metres or heavier than 4.5 tonnes cannot be parked in built-up areas for more than one hour unless involved in a delivery.
But that doesn’t stop a seven-metre, four-tonne caravan from being stored on the street. In fact, it’s well within its rights to be there, and that’s limiting council’s ability to act.
Councillor Peter Ppiros has put forward a motion calling for tougher powers for local councils to deal with the issue. In the past year alone, the council has handed out more than 100 fines to oversized vehicles breaking parking rules. Proof, it says, of the mounting pressure on already limited suburban parking.
A lot of newer homes have much shorter driveways, and have noticeably fewer garages. So, with more South Aussies now owning caravans and boats, and minimal off-street parking, the roadside is the next best option.
The move comes after complaints and tension amongst neighbours within the City of Charles Sturt.
It’s long been a contentious issue, pitting the rights of recreational vehicle owners against neighbours who want clear, accessible streets, and neither side is backing down.
Neighbours are concerned that large vehicles are taking up valuable parking spaces and making roads less accessible, while owners of these vehicles are struggling to find alternative storage options.
The council’s proposal includes a request for powers that would allow it to manage long-term parking even where existing rules are not technically being broken. The changes would give councils the ability to respond to community concerns and reduce conflicts over limited on-street parking.
Glam Adelaide reached out to the City of Charles Sturt for comment, but the council had nothing further to add at this stage.
The proposal will now be submitted to the state government for consideration.
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