Ingleside residents are growing frustrated as abandoned boats and trailers line local roads, sparking calls for quicker council action.
Ingleside Residents Fed Up as Dumped Boats Turn Quiet Roads into Rubbish Zones
Boats and trailers left to rust along Ingleside streets are upsetting locals, who say their peaceful neighbourhood is being treated like a dumping ground. The issue is centred on Walter Road, where residents have reported multiple cases of abandoned vessels cluttering the roadside.
Between January 2024 and March 2025, Northern Beaches Council received 18 complaints about boat dumping in the area, though enforcement action was taken in just six cases.
Long-Term Parking or Abandonment?
Residents believe many of the boats are being left by people from outside the area who want to avoid storage fees. Some vessels have been vandalised or stripped, raising safety and theft concerns.
Current NSW rules require registered trailers or boats to be moved after 28 days in the same location, but locals say enforcement is slow or ineffective.
Council Action and Proposed Changes
The council is developing a draft plan to better manage long-term boat parking across the region. Options include introducing a paid permit system and setting up designated boat parking areas. So far, a few warnings have been issued, but residents say more consistent action is needed.
Broader Environmental and Safety Concerns
While there have been no confirmed environmental issues in Ingleside yet, residents worry about the risk of leaks and roadside runoff affecting local waterways. They also say the abandoned vessels pose safety risks to children and pets.
Locals are urging council to respond more quickly to complaints and to make Ingleside streets safer and more attractive. Council staff say community input will guide future action, but many residents hope to see change sooner rather than later.
Published 24-March-2025