Northern beaches: Tradie trailer row erupts over scarce kerbside parking spots
Claims that Sydney tradies are permanently parking work trailers in scarce kerbside parking spots — and using them as de facto storage facilities — has sparked a rowdy community row.
Manly
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Sydney tradies who permanently park their work trailers in suburban backstreets so they can use them for storage to save money, have sparked a feisty community row.
Angry northern beaches’ locals say the trailers, many stocked with tools and supplies, are taking up scarce on-street parking spots.
Dee Why resident Chris Tanner set off a social media storm when he claimed tradies, who he says do not want to pay for storage, are parking trailers on the kerb and visiting the them before and after work to pick up and drop off material and tools
“It’s cheaper than renting a workshop or storage facility,” Mr Tanner, who lives in block of units in The Crescent, Dee Why, said.
“We’ve had several trailers parked for lengthy periods in our street and locals have to battle to find a parking space for their cars.
“We are just over it.
“The tradies are being selfish and just out for themselves.
“People are going to start tipping the trailers over onto the footpath to get them out of the way.”
Trailers were also parked in other streets included Dee Why Pde and Wheeler Pde and spotted in other areas including Government Rd, Beacon Hill.
When Mr Tanner posted his concerns in a post on a Dee Why-based community Facebook group, he was swamped with responses — many sticking up for the tradies.
One tradies’ supporter posted that it was “ a great idea”.
“All you have done here is tell everyone else about the smart idea,” another wrote.
“Been doing it foe years LOL,” one apparent tradie posted.
Another suggested that Mr Tanner also whinged “about the price of tradies too”.
“They’re just trying to save money in tough times.”
But supports of Mr Tanner agreed it was a problem.
“I live on The Crescent, and yeah we’ve just had another trailer parked out front. Agree it’s annoying with parking for residents vehicles at a premium.
“We’ve lost two spots out front to box trailer parking.”
An upset local wrote that “they charge like wounded bulls so I’m sure they can afford storage”.
Under NSW road rules, trailers are allowed to park on the street under the same provision as a motor vehicle. It must be registered and regularly overseen by owner.
Northern Beaches Council said it had increased parking ranger patrols in the area around The Crescent and issuing penalty notices where appropriate.
It recently issued a fine for an unregistered trailer which has since been registered and removed from the location.
Independent Northern Beaches councillor Vincent De Luca suggested to residents that if the problem persisted, they email the council’s CEO Scott Phillips.
Cr De Luca advised they ask for either timed “Parking Restrictions” or “Motor Vehicle Only” signs to be introduced.
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