A local real estate agent has been ordered to relocate a “free service” in his local community.
Palmview agent Reagan Genrich has been issued a compliance notice by Sunshine Coast Council requiring him to remove a trailer parked on Harmony Boulevard or face fines of up to $8345.
The trailer, purchased about eight months ago for $2500, was set up by Mr Genrich as a free courtesy trailer for residents to use for moving house, rubbish runs and general transport needs in the Palmview area.
The registered cage-style trailer, fitted with signage on its sides, has been parked at 121 Harmony Boulevard for around four months.
The location chosen is alongside an undeveloped block and opposite parkland, with no homes directly fronting that section of road. Surrounding lots on either side of the street are either vacant or set back from the roadway, contributing to what Mr Genrich describes as a low-impact location.
Mr Genrich said he deliberately chose the spot to avoid disrupting residents.
“There’s no houses within about 50 metres of where it’s currently parked,” he said.
“I wanted it to be convenient, but also not in front of someone’s house or taking up valuable parking.”
Council has alleged the trailer constitutes a “mobile advertising device” and is being used on a local government-controlled road without approval.
The compliance notice requires Mr Genrich to remove the trailer and cease placing it on the road by March 31.
“Council has recently received a community complaint regarding mobile vehicle signage on Harmony Boulevard, Palmview,” a Sunshine Coast Council spokesperson said.
“Council has local laws for movable advertising signage to help protect safety and amenity in the community.
“Under Council’s local laws, some types of advertising and marketing signs may be exempt from approval when they meet specific criteria.
“Signage that is attached to a vehicle and displayed from public land does not fall within the exempt categories.
“In this case, the trailer did not have lawful authority to remain in that location, and Council requested it be removed.”
Mr Genrich said he responded to council’s initial correspondence immediately.
“I asked them to send through the documentation because I wasn’t familiar with those rules.”
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He said he has since been in ongoing discussions with council, arguing the trailer’s purpose goes beyond advertising.
“It’s not just a billboard,” he said.
“It’s a cage trailer – you need the sides to strap things down or stack boxes when moving. The signage is attached to that structure, and people need to know who is providing this service.”
The trailer is regularly loaned out, typically one to two times a week, sometimes for several days at a time.
“I manage everything myself – calls, bookings, drop-offs and pick-ups,” Mr Genrich said.
“There’s even been times people have had it for a full week.”
To streamline access, he installed a lockbox system, although he often meets borrowers in person.
“I like to help people hook it up – that’s part of building relationships with the community,” he said.
Mr Genrich said the initiative has been widely embraced locally, particularly on community social media pages.
“When I first posted about it, there were about 50 comments straight away – people saying ‘what an amazing idea’ and how helpful it would be,” he said.
He said there had been no complaints about the trailer’s placement aside from one isolated incident where it was returned to the wrong street.
“Other than that, not at all,” he said. “If anything, the support has far outweighed any negativity.”
Mr Genrich also believes the initiative may be reducing demand for privately owned trailers in the area.
“Someone even told me they were going to buy a trailer until they realised mine was available,” he said.
Council has acknowledged the community benefit but maintains the trailer falls under advertising regulations.
Mr Genrich said he had been asked to consider relocating it to a more remote area, which he believes would defeat its purpose.
“If it’s out of the community, people won’t know it’s there,” he said.
“The whole point is visibility – people either see it driving past, hear about it on Facebook, or get referred.”
“It needs that street exposure to be functional.”
With the compliance deadline looming, Mr Genrich said he has little choice but to comply.
“Unfortunately the council has issued a notice to move the trailer otherwise receive a fine,” he said.
“In light of this, I have no option but to remove the trailer from Palmview.
“I’ve decided I’ll keep it on my private block of land in Maroochydore until I can find another home for it – away from the community I hoped to serve.”
