Owners of a new specialty storage facility say there is high demand for off-street parking solutions as caravans, trailers and boats clog Sunshine Coast suburbs.
Hayden Speed and Mitch Young recently opened their business at Warana after seeing a gap in the market.
Many local streets have become overrun by large vehicles, prompting Sunshine Coast Council to raise the matter at the Queensland Local Government Conference AGM on the Gold Coast in October, when councils endorsed a motion to investigate options for managing the storage of recreational vehicles on roads.
Statistics show just how widespread the issue is, with the local council disclosing that it receives about 700 ‘service requests’ on the issue each year.
Residents have expressed their frustration at large vehicles left on local roads, including a petition signed by about 1150 people and a man aggrieved at parked vans either side of his driveway.
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Mr Speed said Kawana Caravan & Boat Storage was booming after launching in early November.
“We’ve had strong demand, even before opening,” he said.
“Many spaces were pre-booked from our waiting list and inquiries continue daily.
“The Sunshine Coast’s active boating and caravanning community has shown massive interest in having a modern, local storage option.”
Mr Speed said the region was a hub for large recreational vehicles.
“The Sunshine Coast is one of Queensland’s top recreational regions, with thousands of locals and visitors using boats, caravans and campers year-round,” he said.
“The proximity to beaches, lakes and national parks makes it a natural hotspot for this lifestyle.”
He said there were too many large vehicles parked on suburban streets, which was a key factor to start their business.
“Parking caravans and boats (on roads) has become a common sight across the Coast,” he said.
“There are tighter residential blocks, and many owners struggle for space.
“That was one of the main reasons we opened KCB Storage, to provide a proper home for larger vehicles and help keep neighbourhoods clear and tidy.”
But Mr Speed said: “we also understand that not everyone can afford storage.”
There are only a few parking options for owners of recreational vehicles, aside from their own properties.
“There are only a handful of dedicated storage yards across the region, and most are already at or near capacity,” Mr Speed said.
“Other options are limited.
“Most people either store their vehicles at home, rent space from friends or family or use general self-storage sheds that aren’t designed for large vehicles.”
“KCB Storage helps fill that gap with a centrally located, purpose-built facility designed specifically for larger vehicles.”
The facility has 59 storage bays, ranging in size from 5x3m to 10x3m, which suit caravans, camper trailers, boats, RVs, cars and trailers. There is extra space for motorbikes.
“This land came to our attention through some local agents, and we thought about storage straight away,” Mr Speed said.
“We did some due diligence, purchased the land and the rest is history.”
There is secure gated access, 24/7 CCTV, online booking and wide driveways.
Prices start from about $299 per month for smaller bays.
“Storing your caravan or boat at a secure facility keeps it safe from theft, vandalism, weather damage, and council fines for parking on streets or verges,” Mr Speed said.
“It also frees up driveway space at home and gives you peace of mind knowing your asset is protected and accessible when you need it.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said, last month, that large, parked vehicles were problematic.
“This is an issue impacting our council and others across the state with residents complaining about safety concerns, a lack of available parking and neighbourhood streets that are clogged and ugly,” she said.
“We are calling for the state government to assist us with legislation to manage this for our communities.”
