'That's on you': Mayor defends council's new caravan parking laws

The Queanbeyan-Palerang Council in Australia has implemented strict regulations prohibiting large vehicles such as caravans, boats, and trailers from being parked on residential streets for extended periods. The primary objective is to address the issue of vehicles being left in prime parking spots for months at a time. Under the new rules, vehicles longer than 7.5 meters are restricted from residential streets for more than an hour.

Smaller vehicles can park there for up to 28 days before needing to relocate. Mayor Kenrick Winchester explained that the issue has become prominent in Googong, where residents were using on-street parking to store large vehicles, forcing them to buy homes without adequate storage space for boats or trailers. The Council's initiative has received mixed reactions.

One local couple expressed frustration over the growing number of parked caravans, describing their street as a "caravan park." They noted that the vehicles often create a safety hazard due to their width and inability to see over them at bends in the road. However, the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia criticized the crackdown as heavy-handed, stating that the new rules will force residents to pay for storage sites, adding to their financial burden during a time of rising fuel costs and high living expenses.

The club also questioned the necessity of the rules, pointing out that there may be sufficient parking available for local residents.