Neighbours or nuisance? Queensland councils eye tighter caravan parking rules

If you’ve ever had a neighbour’s caravan sitting in the same street spot for weeks, you’re not alone.

According to an ABC news report, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast councils are joining forces to push for tougher limits on caravan and trailer parking in residential areas. The motion, raised at a recent Local Government Association of Queensland conference, comes after a steady rise in community complaints about blocked roads and cluttered footpaths.

Under current Queensland road laws, the rules are straightforward – but loosely enforced. Any vehicle over 7.5 metres long or heavier than 4.5 tonnes can’t be parked on a built-up street for more than an hour unless it’s being loaded or unloaded. Parking on footpaths, verges or nature strips is already banned, and a minimum of three metres of clear roadway must be left for traffic. Even so, hundreds of complaints reach councils each year about caravans left for long stretches outside suburban homes.

Residents say the problem isn’t just about looks. Large caravans can make reversing or towing more difficult for other drivers, restrict visibility at intersections, and force pedestrians or cyclists onto the road. For others, it’s a matter of neighbourhood pride – no one wants their quiet cul-de-sac turned into a storage yard.

At the same time, caravan ownership has never been higher. The industry surged during COVID as Australians embraced local travel, with record sales and long wait times for new builds. But production has since dropped around 20 per cent from those pandemic highs as the market normalises. Imports continue to grow, and more people than ever now own a caravan, camper or hybrid trailer – meaning finding somewhere to store them has become a real challenge.

That’s where the tension lies. Many 4×4 owners argue they have limited off-street space and that responsible street parking shouldn’t be punished. Others say the growing number of long-term parked vans is making suburban streets unsafe and unsightly. Councils now face the tricky task of balancing fairness for travellers with the expectations of residents.

If the proposed changes go ahead, they could lead to stricter enforcement or new limits on how long caravans can stay parked in residential streets. For Queenslanders who live the touring lifestyle, it might mean rethinking where the rig rests between trips – and for neighbours tired of weaving around parked vans, it could finally clear some space on the street.