Local businesses are up in arms, but a council in northern Tasmania has banned free camping … again!
Meander Valley mayor Craig Perkins has declared it is illegal for tourists to stay for free on council land.
“We’ve had somebody question overnight stays on planning grounds and the Tasmanian Economic Regulator has been advised,” he said. “On that basis we’ve had to cancel overnight stays at the Westbury Recreation Ground.”
According to the Examiner newspaper, the council first banned free camping last year, but the decision was overturned until after it received further advice … but now the ban is back.
The local business community is not happy, though.
Westbury IGA owner Judy Fellows told the Examiner that the local economy would suffer if RV owners didn’t have anywhere to stay.
“They go to all our businesses,” she said. “We didn’t realise how much support we got from them until this happened.”
And Andy’s Bakery has apparently reacted to the renewed ban by opening the back of its property for campers to stay for free, providing room for 30 people.
The council has also been stung by a negative backlash on social media.
According to the National Competition Policy, Tassie’s councils must adhere to a ‘competitive neutrality agreement’, which dictates they must attempt to cover all costs while providing camping services.
However, Cr Perkins noted that the law was not widely enforced, with many other councils operating free RV parks.
“It’s time we’re all given clear direction on what you can and can’t do,” he said.
The council was told by the Department of Treasury that guidance could not be given until a new government is formed after the election.
We stayed here a few times & always shopped for our groceries,fuel whilst here as a pay back for allowing us to stay. Lots of locals would stop & chat when walking their dogs & we never received any negative comments. Sadly the local traders will miss $$$$.
Hi all;
One of the best things about Tassie was the ability to be able to stay @ caravan parks OR free camp if one wants too. I travel to Westbery several days a week and have seen up to 30 odd caravans parked at the cricket grounds. Now no more and what a differance that has made.
Some people in the Westbery did not like the campers because of ther free range dog that would do what dogs do and mess up the grounds for when they play cricket. Slips takes on a new meaning at Westbery.
Some owners would do the right thing and clean up there dogs mess and others would not. And it’s not just the caravan owners, it could also be the local town people walking there own dogs and not cleaning up.
As for the the caravan parks the nearest ones are at Delorain ( 26 Kms away ) or at Haspen and that is also a similar distance from Westbury.
Small towns like Westbery need the caravan people to say a couple of nights and spend there money in the local area. We all like to free camp to save a couple of dollars as most of us that do travel. i for one would not mind if there was a place to free camp pay a couple of dollars ( Honesty system here, as sending around a council worker? or a ranger would work out not to be cost effective ).
What a dissappointment to here this by council it is already exspensive to take our motorhome across there we were there two years ago for six weeks we had a ball spent thousands dollars because free camps looked like a lot of the businesses needed our custom as much as we enjoyed the outstanding friendliness of the Tasmanian people please show common sense to make it a win win situation _ lawrie_
I am so disappointed in this Council, I make a point of spending in the local shops and pubs and servos the amount I would have spent at a caravan park. Free camping is so much easier for overnight stays. I have stayed at that reserve. And I know the IGA will suffer. If it is a dog problem get a ranger to fine the offenders. But grey nomads will react to a town that bans them.
Tell the council to go around all the businesses and fuel depot and little family owned supermarket and tell them I,am not coming either.Actually tell all the people that voted them into council that they are not doing anything for there community. Stevo.
A properly controlled free site where you must have your own shower and toilet and a big must you must contain all your waste shower and sink and remove to a dump point as you do your black/ toilet waste. If needed dogs could he banned. A lot of people don’t realize the risk to health of the waste water going toxic in pocket under ground, a big risk to kids playing there.
The Council people have to remember tourists like me traveling around making thousands kilometres we spend big money for fuel and food from local shops. We need something back like free spot to park.
We have stayed at the free site at Westbury when travelling in the area on past trips. We will be travelling in the area in mid March this year. As the council has closed the camp site we will now by pass Westbury and stay at the Railton camp site.
I have been travelling around Tassy for the past 4 months and if I can’t find a free camp site, I move on. Tonight I’m in Campbell Town, and have spent about $235.00 at local ahops, IGA, BWS, and Caltex, plus $12 for lunch at one of the cafe.
I would not have stopped here if the free camp wasn’t available
The Meander Shire Council in its wisdom has decided to shut down all free camps within it’s Shire, namely Deloraine, Westbury and at least one other. By doing so it has effectively penalised the community and the businesses they rely on. For me, like many others, I’ll just move on. Furthermore I will definitely not support Caravan Parks in any Shires that close down free camping.