Trailer parking report tabled

Transport for NSW has released a discussion report and options paper regarding boat-trailer parking in two key local government areas (LGAs), namely Woollahra and Canada Bay. But the ramifications are farther reaching, with more and more councils expressing their displeasure with trailerboats being parked on the streets. 

The Minister for Roads and Ports had requested the paper and options from the Boat Trailer Working Group (BTWG). The BTWG was formed following complaints from local councils and residents in Sydney about the growth of boat-trailer parking on streets in the metro area.

The paper concluded that the level of frustration is exacerbated by the on-street parking being limited in some areas and “a lack of suitable boat-storage infrastructure as a contributing factor to the problem.”

Surveys were conducted by the BTWG in both abovementioned LGAs to identify where the boats and trailers came from, but it was found most were owned by locals: “The survey demonstrates that in both of the LGAs studied, the majority of registered (identifiable) boat trailers are owned by local residents. The survey also revealed that in both LGAs, many trailers are congregated around particular streets or areas often adjacent to parks, reserves or vacant land.” A good use of non-residential roads, in our opinion.

The paper went on to say that: “The survey dispels a common perception among some residents who believe the problem is primarily caused by boat owners from outside of the area leaving their boats parked on trailers in waterside suburbs, rather than near their own homes. While acknowledging the usefulness of the survey results, BTWG Councils note that the issue still remains a major concern for many residents."

The Government’s Maritime Policy Agenda addresses a number of actions designed to improve boat storage and waterways access across NSW and includes added dry storage and more parking at ramps. Let’s hope that happens sooner rather than later for the burgeoning trailerboat idustry.

Meanwhile, the paper also noted that: “RNS considers that a legally parked, roadworthy trailer with a load that complies with statutory dimension limits, poses no more of a safety issue than any other similar-sized vehicle (such as a small truck). It is clear from the majority of correspondence received and submissions made to Government that the primary concerns relate to amenity rather than safety.”

Manly and Warringah councils have expressed their support for greater policing powers in respect of dumped unregistered trailers and trailerboats. But the issue appears to be driven by residents with an anti-boating NIMBY view. Not everyone can afford a garage so leaving a boat alongside a local golf course or cemetery, for example, rates as a good use of parking space.

A copy of the full report can be found here: