Another much-loved primitive camping destination looks like it has become a ‘victim’ of its own success, and will now have a swathe of new regulations imposed upon it.
The Diggers Headland Reserve Camping Ground is situated in Crown Reserve adjacent the village of Diggers Camp in northern New South Wales. While fees were charged and camping was only permitted around school holiday periods, it has long been a popular spot for travellers. There is little evidence of the campground’s existence when it is not in use.
The Clarence Valley Council has just voted to introduce a raft of stricter measures to control campers using the Diggers Headland Reserve. The controls include restricting the numbers using the site, implementing computerised booking, monitoring the size of caravans, campers and moveable dwellings, ensuring caravans and campers are self-contained and leave no grey water on-site, and conducting a financial audit of the camp to come up with a fee structure.
Cr Karen Toms moved the motion to introduce camping restrictions.
“The days of primitive camping are gone,” she said, alluding to the problems of previous caravans and campers leaving greywater on the site. Â “They can be huge and have washing machines, showers and dishwashers … those big caravans and campers must have tanks to contain that greywater.”
And she said it was important, for fire safety reasons, to have a gap between the campsites.
“A fire that broke out among closely packed campsites could spread quickly and become catastrophic,” she said.
well off course Councillor Karen Toms wants restrictions on primitive camping…..she is off course an owner of a Clarence Valley Caravan Park!
Wonder if this lady has checked out her local caravan parks re packing caravans in also a dump point would solve any percieved issues over grey water..wonderif she knows what wetting agent is that is used to make the ground better absorb water..yep detergent which is the only thing in grey water that could be a problem. Also wonder does she know about social media and how the Grey Nomaders will bypass her town if she does all she has implied along with their money they would have spent in her town.
Of course the council want to restrict “primitive camping” to force people to use the marvellous modern caravan parks. Sorry council you have it wrong, I will still avoid the caravan park and now the local business ‘s will be missing out as well.
Ditto from us. We are totally self contained and bauk at the rules and regulations. Our Diggers fought for our freedim….she’s put an end to it!!
We’ll just keep our wallets closed when passing through “her” region. Sorry shopkeepers. It us up to you to change things – Ravenshoe, Qld. did change council’s decision to close the freedom style campground. We love spending $$$ there.
Cheers to Julia Creek, Qld. We love spending $$$$$ there as well.
Yeezessshhhh…here they go again self interests of caravan park owners pushing their own cart. They will take your money and kick you in the guts.
Things have to change for Grey Nomads.
Hey… I appeal to all Grey Nomads everywhere don’t spend a cent in these places….BLACKLIST THEM !
Agree with Colin regarding black listing. I also suggest the grey nomad site set up a black list register that we can add to when we fing areas not considered grey nomad friendly.
Yep. Got my vote on that.
A lot of councils are in turmoil even this one. The knives come out and the Clarence Valley Council General Manager Scott Greensill shock resignation on March 12 threw a spanner in the works. He was there for 5 years. He is credited with balancing the books. Sounds like a good thing to do that most councils cant do. The businesses will suffer next due to lack of Grey Nomad tourists and you can be sure the council will still stick up the rates each year for those feeling the “pinch” They don’t want tourists in these places.
Easy … boycott Clarence Valley Caravan Park; I urge all travellers to avoid using this park if at all possible. You can be assured that in September when we will be there, this is the one park I will avoid like the plague. Good for you Councillor Karen Toms, I will also ensure my LR fuel tank is full and we do not need any groceries so that we do not need to spend any money in your town !
Agree, avoid this area. I’m sure we all agree that we are all sick and tired of councillors feathering their own nest.
When will they learn that it won’t work, those that want free camping will just pass on by, therefore no money will be spent in your areas. There will always be those that want to use caravan parks and that’s fine, but there should always be a choice.
Many areas are starting to realise just how much money they are missing out on by closing the free camp sites, pity it takes for this to happen first as the local businesses are the ones who suffer not the council and especially not the money hungry councillors.
I agree that there needs to be a Blacklist site set up so we all can know where to avoid, this could also serve as a reference for those so inclined to want to approach the council to try and get changes made.