Council to debate major crackdown on boats and caravans taking up kerbside parking.

It’s the suburban street scourge that drives motorists up the wall and sparks neighbourly disputes. After years of frustration, a northern Sydney council is looking for a way to free up its roads.

Boats and trailers parked along Kenneth Rd, Manly Vale. Northern Beaches Council is set to debate sending a submission to the NSW Government to allow councils to set up a paid street parking permit scheme for trailers. File picture: Troy Snook

Northern Beaches Council is considering asking the state government to force owners of caravans, boats and trailers to pay to park, in a bid to get them moved off suburb backstreets.

Roads littered with trailers for lengthy periods of time has long been a frustration for residents and paid parking is one option the council is looking at. It will debate the issue at its next meeting next week.

The council has prepared a report suggesting the government toughen its road laws to allow councils to set up paid parking schemes. It includes a series of proposed changes to legislation.

The proposed paid scheme would be targeted at residents who do not have access to off-street parking and to dissuade people parking trailers and boats on residential streets away from their home address.

Under current laws, trailers, including boat trailers and caravans, are ineligible for resident parking permits.

A camping trailer and a boat parked in Government Rd, Beacon Hill. Picture: Manly Daily

The proposed lobbying effort comes as the council continues to look at ways to tackle growing resident frustrations at trailers taking up scare kerbside parking.

Residents can already dob in to the council, boat, caravan and trailers left in street “hot spots” that cause road safety and parking problems.

A tradie’s trailer parked in a street parking “hot spot”, The Crescent, Dee Why. Picture: Manly Daily

There are about 17,000 registered boat trailers, box trailers and caravans in the Northern Beaches Council area.

The council has been told some of the vehicles parked long-term were from outside the area.

It received 288 complaints last financial year about the vehicles causing parking, road safety and “visual amenity” issues.

In 2024/25 council rangers impounded 10 boat trailers, with boats attached, as well as 14 trailers, mostly for not having number plates affixed and being in disrepair.

The council also handed out 43 fines for abandoned vehicles or trailers and 240 fines for unregistered trailers.

Trailers and a boat parked in Beacon Hill. Picture: Manly Daily

Independent councillor Vincent De Luca, who has consistently called for tougher street parking measures, said he would suggest, at Tuesday’s meeting, that the council could also set aside unused land it owns to provide paid trailer, boat and caravan storage.

“We have to get them off the street,” Mr De Luca said on Friday. “They cause obstructions to sight lines and too many accidents.

“It’s becoming ridiculous. Our streets are becoming trailer storage parks.”

Two boats parked in Frenchs Forest. Picture: Manly Daily

Resident, and former Liberal councillor, Karina Page, told a council meeting this week that the council was not enforcing the current parking rules that were available to it. (See NSW rules below).

Ms Page said many of boats and trailers were owned by people living outside the council area.

“They just use this area to park their boats because it’s closer to the water.

“(The council) has to say ‘enough is enough’ and lets start with enforcement.”

The NSW rules for unattended vehicles left in public places.

RULES FOR LEAVING VEHICLES IN PUBLIC PLACES

As part of NSW Government rules on vehicles, including boat trailers, other trailers and caravans left in public places, local councils can notify the owner that their vehicle is causing a safety risk or an obstruction or has been left unattended in one place for too long.

• If the vehicle is causing an obstruction or safety risk, it must be removed immediately;

• If unregistered, and left in place for more than three days, it must be removed within 15 days of the owner being notified;

• If registered, but unable to be legally driven (eg: due to damage), and left unattended in one place for three days, it must be moved within 15 days of the owner being notified.

• If registered and left unattended in one place for more than 28 days, it must be moved within 15 days of the owner being notified.

• If the vehicle is not moved within the time frames, the council may move the vehicle causing a safety risk or an obstruction to a safer place in the same general area, or take possession of the vehicle and move it to a place of storage, and issue a fine.

• Fines of $660 apply for leaving a vehicle unattended

Source: NSW Office of Local Government