Shipping containers, whether you love them or loathe them, are definitely here to stay.
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The Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate says there are ''tens of thousands'' across the ACT in front and backyards and on building sites, churches, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, commercial premises and sportsgrounds ''in lieu of purpose-built sheds''.
It also says there are few controls on the demountable structures. They can be up to 12.2 metres long, 2.5 metres wide and 3.2 metres high, and range in condition from freshly painted and pristine to rusting hulks that have covered hundreds of thousands of nautical miles.
''There is no blanket law that prohibits the use of shipping containers in residential areas,'' the directorate said. ''A shipping container that is being used as a permanent shed-type structure may be considered as a development and therefore subject to a development approval.
''Whether it is unlawful depends upon where the structure is, what it is used for and any evidence of whether it is permanent or not. A shipping container on a front yard during renovations etc is not prohibited.''
Surprisingly, despite their number, shipping containers have prompted relatively few complaints.
''Between 2008 and 2013 at least 19 complainants listed their complaint as being shipping containers,'' a spokesman said. ''To date, ESDD has not considered tightening controls on the use of shipping containers for storage at commercial sites and in residential areas.''
Residents, aesthetically challenged by a shipping container on a block of land in their immediate neighbourhood, do not have an automatic basis for a complaint.
''There is no law in the ACT that makes visual amenity a ground for complaint or investigation,'' ESDD said. ''If the container is a nuisance in some form. there is private action people can take to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. If the container is being used for accommodation or as a permanent shed in the front of the property, then people can lodge a written complaint with the ESDD.''