‘Shanty town’: Neighbourhood parking war explodes
A neighbourhood war has exploded on Sydney’s beaches, after locals decided to take a controversial parking issue into their own hands.
Incensed by boats, boat trailers and camper vans taking up valuable parking spots near Narabeen Lagoon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for weeks at a time, spray-painting vigilantes have decided to do something about it.
Channel 7 news reports, that the numerous motor craft and vehicles parked on Narrabeen Esplanade have been graffitied in giant orange letters, spelling out MOVE.
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Move.
Pictures showed the street with numerous vehicles parked there, spray painted with the protest slogan.
While locals were condoning the illegal act – which can result in a $2200 fine or 12 months in jail – they said they understood the frustration amid claims the picturesque suburb was being turned into “a shanty town”.
“Well they shouldn’t have done it,” said local resident Gary Oliver.
“But it is quite annoying having all those big vehicles there. They are there for months.”
“If they council is not going to do anything they [the vandals] are going to get the job done,’ said another resident.
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Locals aren’t happy.
A jogger passes one of the tagged boasts
“They just leave them there.”
It’s not a conflict only witnessed on the Northern Beaches, across Sydney many residents are upset parking spots are being taken up by boats, boats trailers and campervans for long periods.
The Narrabeen incident has sparked a police investigation, according to Channel 7, given the vehicles are legally parked as long as their registration is current.
Under NSW law boat trailers are treated as vehicles trailers.
As long as the vehicle or trailer is registered, its total length is under 7.5m, weighs under 4.5 tonnes and does not obstruct traffic or create a safety hazard, block driveways, footpaths or violate general parking signs, they allowed to be there.
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Get the message.
The vehicles sit next to favourite local spot Narrabeen Lake. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw
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The vehicles are permitted to be parked there for 28 days, however in an olive branch to frustrated locals, Northern Beaches Council is considering imposing 12 hour parking limits. After which the vehicles could be fined, and if the offences persisted even towed and impounded.
Parking nearby is as much as $10 an hour.
“If you can afford a boat, you should also be able to afford the space to keep it,” said local resident Hans.
Under NSW law, a basic offence of graffiti carries a penalty of $440, rising up to a penalty of $2200 or imprisonment for 12 months or both, in circumstances of aggravation.
Northern Beaches Council has been contacted for comment.
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