Sutherland Shire boat, trailer and caravan owners should pay for own storage

While it is reasonable for Sutherland Shire Council to seek off-street parking sites for storage of caravans, boats and trailers (Leader, June 11) we must be wary of suggestions of identifying vacant land and state assets for this purpose.

The owners of these very expensive toys belong to powerful lobby groups who seem to think that councils or the state government have an obligation to accommodate them.

Well, they don't, and it's regrettable that this problem was not nipped in the bud decades ago, before it reached its present proportions.

Publicly-owned property should not be used for private benefit unless it is unwanted and unsuitable for any other purpose, and even then should be subject to a commercial rent to ensure the owners, we the public, receive a proper return for this exclusive occupation.

Jim Ayling, Kirrawee