The popular free camping ground in the New South Wales town of Macksville is ‘under review’ after multiple complaints about overcrowding, and the poor behaviour of some of those camping there.
When the town was bypassed recently, a free camping area was seen as an obvious way to reap the economic rewards of drawing more grey nomads and other travellers into town. The free parking area at Lions Park has been steadily gaining in popularity, attracting 132 campers in the space of a fortnight over the Christmas season, according to the residents who live opposite.
However, with reports of poor behaviour growing, the council has been taking another look at the issue.
The Guardian News reports that Cr Janine Reed tabled a list of residents’ complaints to the council. They included:
Another complaint from both residents and other campers alike has been the use of noisy generators at the site.
Dave Banks is a member of the Nambucca Valley River Users group (who were instrumental in the Ferry St improvement works) and says that he has also noticed campers using the mangroves for their daily ablutions.
“People are using the mangroves rather than the toilets because they are too many people or the toilets are too far away from them,” he said.
And, not surprisingly, local motel and campground operators are also said to be none too happy about the increased levels of non-paying campers in Macksville.
“What we’ve got there now is a de facto campground,” said Cr Brian Finlayson. “But campgrounds come with rules you have to adhere to.”
However, Cr John Ainsworth advised against council making any rash decisions lest Macksville be ‘black-listed’ by grey nomads and the town’s tourist economy falters as a result.
The Nambucca News reports that the council eventually passed a motion to review the current camping situation in consultation with nearby residents and with the Chamber of Commerce.
How about a ‘meet & greet’ team armed with guidelines for keeping our river pristine! Is there a dump point handy for grey and sewerage waste nearby? It is a great initiative to offer RV owners somewhere to camp; most look for free camping rather than use a caravan park so would only use those once or twice a week to catch up on laundry, etc.
We need people to come into our town so encourage them as much as possible.
I can understand noise complaints from neighbours but most campers are fairly responsible. A reminder on appropriate existing laws on noise and pollution could be part of the welcome to country.
The bypass only completed round Christmas
Yes agree, but as usual you will find the whole thing being stuffed up by the few. Most people do the right thing, but then it is spoilt by those that dont or wont. Stevo.
Just read the article and saw the sign, it says nothing about tents, fully self contained etc, etc. Council should erect a sign to establish what they are offering other wise yes it is a free for all do what you want. It should be fully self contained vehicles only and a time limit of 48 hours free camping like most council owned land, and yes totally agree, where is the dump point? A little policing will go a long way to stop idiots from making probably a lovely spot nicer without the idiots disrepecting the free gesture of the town and the area
So agree Droughtbreaker 2, yes signs should be put up with the rules stating length of time, no generators between ? time and ? time, only self contained Vans….etc ect…
However 99% of true travellers know the rules of free camp spots and don’t throw their grey water out or use rivers etc to wash or empty their sewage. We are more respectful than that.
I imagin these people over Christmas were working people on holiday with children or young people who havent yet learnt how to behave properly… no excuse I know but try this longer and the town will reep the rewards.
open your mouths and challenge the offender
I find it very hard to believe that grey nomads would do such things. There are free camps all over Australia and many have no stay time limit. Not once have I seen this happen with grey nomads. They usually clean up mess left by foreign backpackers, so I wonder who is actually doing these things. Inskip Point in Qld is packed with campers & camp trailers every weekend and that kind of thing doesn’t happen there.
I live directly opposite the Free Camp.I have no problem with the campers as do a lot of the other residents of Ferry Street. Quite often the campers are seen walking over the bridge to go shopping. It is likely that if they stayed in a caravan park their Dollars would end up in another town as our local caravan park is not within walking distance for most campers.
Anyway I will always welcome law abiding overnighters.
Council should take action to control the parking situation and clearly define where and when people can stop.
I agree just done half lap on west side of aust. Biggest offenders for littering and abusing rules are overseas backpackers they r rude and dont give a.dam about doing the right thing. Grey nomads normally clean sites.as they value.them.
I take exception to the comment about people with kids. I am 45 yr old family man traveling with 3 children and have more respect for my environment and community than to pollute it with human waste, rubbish ect. I was raised to look after my environment and leave an area clean and in the same condition or better than I found it. If people with kids are doing this they must have been educated poorly by their elders. I don’t care who is causing the problem but they need to be weeded out before freecamps are closed and we ALL suffer for it. We shouldn’t need signs to tell us not to dump grey water and waste into rivers or use rivers for toilets or lrave rubbish around, that is just COMMON SENSE not to do it. Please look after these areas so we can all use and benefit from them!!!
Same old story. Some behave as they should. The others mess it all up for those doing the right thing.
We seem to have a problem with young people who have the idea that all is there for them to use and others will pander to their needs. Sadly, that idea of young people seems to be everywhere now
When we stayed there..it wasnt free..rangers came banging on the door for fees. They can come round every day to collect fees but unable to enforce the “rules” ????
I agree with many of the points raised. I am a caravan traveler and have stayed in these places overnight they are great for an overnighter and we also spend money in the town pub meal’s groceries and fuel. It is a great shame that a small number wrecked it for the majority of. I also don’t think it is the GRAY NOMADS who cause these problems very rearely do I see a gray nomad do the mentioned complaints. Todays vans are very expensive and they have every thing built in to FREE CAMP toilet wast tanks the lot I can’t remember a Graynomad going to the toilet or dumping there rubbish out side of there vans or motorhomes. I think that stopping free camping in your town would be a big mistake you should employ a RANGER to issue tickets to people who break the rules. I for one will be staying there tonight and we intend to spend some money for dinner and a few nick nacks.