The free camping area in Walpole in WA’s south west has been massively popular with grey nomads and other travellers … but some local residents are beginning to have second thoughts.
After seeking comments on the issue, Manjimup Shire received 34 submissions … of which approximately 70% opposed the current situation in which RVs park for free overnight in a bitumenised area across the South Coast Highway from the town centre.
The Voice of the South newspaper reports that the Walpole Town Centre Revitalisation Committee is pushing to change things up, perhaps by seeing a $10 fee introduced and finding a different spot for overnight campers.
The committee’s community member Ivan Gardner, who lives and works directly across from the parking area, said that free overnight RV stays had ‘choked’ the parking lot up in summer.
“We had 13 four-wheel-drives and caravans there one night with no room for other, original users,” he said. “I talk to a lot of people and I make it my business to know that people want RVs, but they don’t want them parking overnight in the main street … and we don’t want it to be free, anything that’s free gets abused to the billyo.”
Manjimup councillor David Tapley has called for a fee of $10 per night be charged at eight to 10 overnight RV parking spaces to be created somewhere else in Walpole.
Cr Tapley told The Voice of the South that the west end of Pioneer Park, or Town Jetty, were two possible locations for a purpose-built RV park. He said he would prefer the existing parking lot in town be for rest only, and not for overnight stays.
He expressed confidence that a balance could be reached between the needs of locals and those of the RV community.
Shire planner Brian Robinson has advised that a report would be prepared for consideration at the next Shire Council meeting on June 13, and he promised the report would address the committee’s comments.
We enjoyed our 2 night stay there last November. Used it as a base to travel extensively around the area – both coastal & parks. We purchased goods from the shopping centre (twice), bakery & fuel . 2 cars & a campervan along with our van were there. This is a bus stop area, so can see if there are numerous vehicles, it could be conjested, but the bus terminal did not impact on our use of the site. A cost to the site may have impacted the length of stay as we are travelling on a tight budget & there are many freecamps in the area. The information centre was terrific! Left with fond memories.
If you want people to spend money let them stay for free or they will bypass Walpole
Typical WA attitude here.
We want the visitors but we won.t welcome you.
I lived in WA for 10 years that mentality was the same top to bottom.
I can understand why the situation becomes contentious. Parking is an issue and the local businesses want their customers to be able to park close by so they’ll patronise their shop. I am looking to doing WA next year and will be looking for RV friendly towns. My tight budget will determine my route and length of stay. If Walpole just relocates the RV park I will certainly visit the town and stay for as long as possible while I explore the area. By default I will patronise the baker, butcher, supermarket, news agent etc as I believe in helping the town which helps me. If a nightly fee is imposed our stay will be shorter. I fully appreciate and totally understand the issues associated with ‘free’ RV parking because it is taken as an invitation by back packers and whizbangs to freeload on the townsfolk. Unfortunately these drifting types have little regard for fellow travellers or the environment. A strict rule of ‘self contained only’ which is enforced will usually ensure the town is appreciated by grey nomads who appreciate what is being offered. The recalcitrant nomads can go elsewhere.
I am assuming from your comments you aren’t a ‘whizbanger’. Those drifters… just like te gypsies… send them off to camps… er um paid camps that is… not that other sort wiith gas showers…
Having all the commercial outlets within walking distance was a huge plus for us.
This town must think they are a bit special we were told in feb 2019 there was no overnight stays even in a 24 hour rest area .Considering most regional towns in wa have some form of low cost overnight stays next time I go through Walpole I won’t be stopping!
If you charge and lose a lot of grey nomads, the businesses will suffer
Most nomads who free camp spend where they get the free camping
It’s a 2 edged sword. Businesses benefit
Or less visitors on short stays
Ask IGA as they are a grocery beneficiary
The area in question is actually a day use area not a free camping area. This may be why some locals are against overnight parking in this area
My wife and I recently pulled up in the overnight park up bay mentioned.
It was 3.30 am when we pulled up as I was feeling rather tired and needed a rest . All the bays were taken so I decided to park in the centre of the wide park up bay . 15metres on one side and 10 metres on the other .
Day light came around too soon , upon a short walk in the morning to wake up i was met by the toilet cleaner who was taking photos of our motorhome and along with a long fury of abuse finally saying that us campers are the reason why we are shutting down the camp site in Walpole then the abuse continued after I walked back to our motorhome with his final negative comments too rude to post .
We stayed till the shop opened to purchase food .
My wife and I are in our semi retirement age group and have been staying and spending in Walpole for 30 years ,
I was told by a local that a certain group don’t want campers in thier town , I have been traumatised by this contractor/Cleaner that it’s affected my sleep and my ability to concentrate behind the wheel .
We are now parked up for a few days .
Although we love Walpole it will be the last time we stay in the town .
Just a word of warning to those want to use the public toilets at 7.15 am , he has a white Ute with a tandem axle trailer.