The 28-day relocation/moving provision is intended to ensure that boat owners return to their on-street parked boat and trailer at least monthly so as to check on its condition, and acts as a disincentive to persons residing outside the local area. It is believed that if someone has to move their boat every 28 days they are more likely to park their boat near their place of residence.
The Lane Cove Council sought community comments on the new legislation. Community consultation included public notices on community notice boards, in the Library as well as in the North Shore Times, Council’s website and e-news, together with direct mail to boating associations and sailing clubs and the Greenwich Community Association, was undertaken over a 6 week period to ensure that information regarding this matter was widely communicated.
At the conclusion of the 42 day consultation period, 116 responses were received. 66% of respondents supported Council’s intention to implement the Act, whilst 34 % objected to the proposal.
The Council undertook Boat Trailer Audit in the Lane Cove Council area and 90 boat trailers were observed (note this audit was undertaken during the July 2017 School Holidays):
Summary of Boat Trailer Audit Results
| Total Number of Boat Trailers Observed in Lane Cove LGA | 90 |
| Registered to a Lane Cove LGA address | 52 |
| Registered to an address in another LGA | 27 |
| Abandoned /cancelled registrations – action pending | 11 |
A council report concluded:
Each year, Council receives approximately 360 complaints in relation to abandoned/nuisance vehicles. These complaints can include concerns about damaged or stolen cars, trailers and boat trailers being parked outside a person’s home or business, with the majority being related to traffic safety concerns i.e where the boat is parked in proximity of a driveway or in a narrow street or where parking is limited. Where Council issues an Impounding Notice, less than 10% of these matters require further intervention, as the owners make arrangements to have the vehicle/trailer removed.
Whilst the number of boat trailers in Lane Cove at this time is relatively small by comparison with other LGA’s, as a result of the surrounding Councils having adopted the Act, the number of boat trailers that may be parked in the LGA may increase significantly over time as boat owners become aware of current provisions.
Whilst Council received submissions from residents who are boat owners, who had concerns about the adoption of the Act, Council’s Rangers apply a courteous and practical approach to enforcement of such matters and would work to ensure that a balance is achieved between application of the Act and the context of where a boat trailer is parked.