Grey nomads visiting South Australia’s beautiful Limestone Coast could soon find themselves with a lot more free camping options.
Wattle Range Council district council is proposing new designated short-term RV parking areas, including reserves and parking bays.
The council is seeking public comment on the designation of limited short-term vehicle-only camping areas in various locations across the council area.
“Some owners of self-contained motorhomes and caravans choose not to stay in caravan parks,” Mayor Peter Gandolfi said in a statement. “To cater to these people council established a bylaw allowing short-term stays and is now in the process of identifying suitable areas where this free camping can occur.”
He stresses these locations would be only be for self-contained motorhomes and caravans. Tents would not be allowed.
“Visitors are currently stopping throughout Wattle Range during their stay and council is well aware that some are camping at inappropriate areas including town parklands,” said Mr Gandolfi. “As a result, council is aiming to limit the camping to appropriate locations and regulating these stays through its bylaws.”
He said refusing free camping altogether would simply result in travellers moving to neighbouring council areas, resulting in lost income for the region.
Not surprisingly, the proposals have not been warmly greeted by local caravan parks. Allan and Gloria Withers, who own the Millicent Hillview Caravan Park, told the ABC that campers should have to pay.
“Free camping is the biggest threat to the industry we’ve faced,” said Mrs Withers. “The South East has some of the cheapest parks in South Australia, even in Australia … if they’re not prepared to spend $20 for a night, then what money will they spend in our town?”
The couple says ratepayers will eventually be the ones footing the bill for the free camping proposal.
“We have pay for the water, clean the toilets and bathrooms, supply the gas for the barbecues and we have to take away the rubbish – they have to dump it somewhere,” said Mrs Withers. “Local people pay rates and taxes, just because their house is on wheels and ours is on stumps – what’s the difference?”
Mrs Withers said campers had the choice to go into a luxury park or choose a less expensive facility.
“You can go into a boutique or you can go into Target,” she said. “It’s the same with caravan parks.”
Wattle Range Council district council officers have suggested the following locations could be considered as designated free camping areas:
Hopefully the councils will see through park owners comnents and go ahead with designating places to stopover. I think 48 hours is reasobable and will allow caravans and motorhomes a chance to look at what the area has to offer. We are more inclined to spend time and money where we are welcomed..than in a town that bans free choice.
Fantastic idea I am going to our council to see if we can do the same. Yes these free campers (and I am one of them) do spend money in town. They still go the the supermarket , petrol station. bank. bakery. restaurant . As for the council work cleaning toilets and carting rubbish that has to be done anyway . It is the way forward the caravan parks are not missing out on my money because I would not go there anyway just like I don’t go to boutiques.
Good point, Pam. Why do CP owners assume that if free camps are not available, then campers will use their facility? As others have said, if CPs are all that’s available to campers, they’ll just drive on to the next town.
I agree with this statement
Good positive insight by the Limestone coast Council, I Think it is also a good idea to Limit the parking time, anything from 1 night to a maximum of 4 nights, this gives the traveller time to explore the area, and spend some money doing so ? It also will keep the ” very few” ?? travellers that abuse such priviledges by setting up Camp for weeks at a time, and making the place look untidy, under control, ?? I have said it before, but the word needs to go out to ALL THE OTHER BUSINESSES, in these area’s, As the Caravan parks are the only ones doing the shouting, because of ;Misguided’ self interest,?? If i by pass a town, because it is NOT RV friendly, the Caravan park will Never see my $$$ anyway, ?? But nor will the Butcher, supermarket, bakery, lollyshop, cafe, Pub, Garage, Hardware store, Etc Etc Etc, WHAT right has the Caravan park got to effect the turnover of these other businessess ???
We totally agree about the Caravan Park Owners thinking that if there are No Free Camps then people will have to go to them, but they are sadly mistaken. We,like loads of other travellers, just bypass that town/area if there are no free camp areas. Also to get a powered site (or any type of site for that matter) for $20 a night is rare, but even so, $20 could be spent in town amoungst several shops where the entire community benefits, not only the owners of van parks. They are the only businesses that do any complaining and yet they are the ones that force the closure of free camps and therefore force us to bypass their town. Good on you, Limestone Coast, we’ll be back again & again.
Totally agree with you Daryl, one day is too short. In most situations if we are allowed a one night stopover, we will keep moving. Great to see a council taking an interest though,I hope that more may do the same, but for a bit longer.
I am a local and have done some free camping on 4 occasions, but could only stay 1 night, which is really not long enough if you want to spend more time sightseeing so I would like to see 2 or 3 night stays in or near towns.
I too applauded the Limestone councils future thinking and initiative and would just like to comment on the insensitive comment of the Millicent Hillview Caravan park that on many occasions I and as have many other free campers have taken brush,hose and cleaning gear and cleaned the toilets which we use as most of the time I have found them to be filthy from use of the local and passerby who frequent the area not the grey nomads. I have been praised by many council workers who come on a weekly basis to clean the amenities as to the cleanliness of the amenities and how little lack of rubbish lying around due to the fact that on each of our morning and afternoon walks we carry bags and pick rubbish up along the way ,oh and of course use our own triolet paper and leave a roll as well.
Speaking from my own experiences, we spend at least a hundred or so dollars in most places we stay for a few days which in turn I’m sure helps the caravan parks in some way by maybe keeping the towns and CP alive for those who wish to use them still can.
I am sick and tired of being blamed by some for rubbish left by grey nomads ,when We see locals come and just throw rubbish around or backpackers who don’t give a hoot as to what they do.
Sorry this sounds strong but I am really fed up. Thank you to all the caravaners and motor homers that clean up after the locals and themselves give yourselves a well deserved pat on the back
I’m sure I will get a few comments back but that is how we feel.
Here, here! Thank you Dianne, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
great comment !
So true, Dianne. As we have all stated over and over again, it is freedom of choice as to where we stay, not being railroaded by CPs to stay in their parks. There is a time and a place for everything, and I know that sometimes we want to stay at a park, and other times, we want a more quiet outlook and free camp. Regardless, if we are welcome in a town, we will spend money in that town. Also, if we see there is rubbish around, we will clean it up. I am sure if more and more nomads also do this, the excuses that the CPs use will start falling on deaf ears. Congrats to the Limestone Council.
Well stated Diane,
It’s about time the blame for most of the rubbish left around reserves and free camp sites be placed where it belongs, I too have been camped in areas where the locals come in and spend the weekend and leave a mess behind, I witnessed a church local church group in Tasmania come into a reserve I was camped at and they burnt everything they could get their hands on and left a mess behind, when a local volunteer group came in to do some work on a walking track, I described the group and they were known, the traveling “grey nomad” do more to clean up after other people than anyone and we get the blame for making the mess, no wonder many of us are getting fed up with councils and van park owners laying the mess at our feet, I rarely go to a van park but that’s my choice, if that’s the only choice I have then I won’t stay or spend my money where I’m resented. Kevin.
Dianne Lewis, do you have a self-contained motorhome or caravan ?
It’s about time
I too applaud the councils foresight to try and capture the short term visitors this way. If we like a town and want to stay longer we may book in to the CP depending on the look of the place. If we only wanted to stay a couple of days and then keep going the CP would never have gotten our business anyway.
Well done council. We were there over summer this year at some great free camps already there but will be back again to check out the new ones next year.
I also think three to four days is a good time frame to have as max. We like to check out a place, relax and meet the people, have a meal ect. We dont stop if they are over nighters, not worth our while.
I agree with you Dianne. It is not the GN’s that leave the mess in free camps. I applaude Peter Gandolfi, I have met this man and he is a forward thinking counciller and is passionate about the Limestone Coast area.
To the CP owner, those that free camp do spend money in each town that they camp near, well in most cases anyways. Just because it is not at your CP, it does not mean that money is not spent. There are other businesses in the area other than CP’s.
Back to the mess in free camping areas, I was parked up at Kyneton yesterday and was sitting in my MH minding my own business, enjoying my lunch when I was suddenly surrounded by about 12 cars with families falling out of them in all directions, smoking, soccer balls, and yelling at the top of their voices, so I moved from the RV parking area to the car parking area until they left. I returned only to get out and clean up the mess left behind, papers, fruit skins, cigarette butts etc. No it was not the GN there but day trippers who just do not care about anybody or anything else bar themselves.
Go Limestone coast area.
We have to find a Caravan park that only charges $ 20.00 a night. You must be dreaming
Hey Rudy. Try the CP in Murtoa, Victoria. $20 a night with clean ablutions and right on the lake in town…….excellent value 🙂
Whether you want 3 to 4 days or not is irrelevant as the free camps add up to 7 days in the Wattle Range Council area, albeit in different areas. However, I agree with the Mayor that no tents should be allowed which has happened in the past and a no camping sign should be placed there to prevent this.
I am unsure whether I agree that the free camps should be within the town limits. Tantanoola is a great area across the road from the Tantanoola Tiger exhibit at the Hotel. This would also be quieter than the Mount Gambier Road site as this is on the main road, which means transports route overnight as well as general traffic.
As the Mayor Peter Gandolfi said He stresses these locations would be only be for self-contained motorhomes and caravans. Tents would not be allowed .Self contained that means that you have your own toilet and shower and holding tanks its not about cleaning toilets ect you should be using your own
Well done, Stevo. That’s the point of free-camping in 2014, ‘self-contained’, ie self-sustaining in regard to facilities required. Take out what you bring in has been the bush-walkers creed for decades and spreads the responsibilities on us all, equally.
Isn’t great to see a council with a view to the future for all concerned. We are fully S/C and very rarely visit C.P, because that’s the way we like it. We like the open space and not the sardines effect.
C.P owners can not see the trees for the forest. There are 1000’s of travellers who want the offer from a C.P. They are concerned re their revenue.
Well what concerns did the have when they elected to place cabins in the parks as an opposition to the local hotel and motels in the area.
we have ensured that we tell the traders in the towns we visit that we are shopping there due to the great attitude of the area. But also stress that they ensure that the Chamber of Commerce or likewise body are aware of the impact of the caravanning public.
We are all for freedom and therefore we say let the market forces play out to the end result.
John
Any time we free camp near a town, we make a point of spending money.
$200 is not hard to spend in one town if you are buying fuel, groceries, butcher and bakery. OK, the CP may miss out but many other businesses benefit from our FREE camp.
Great concept Wattle Range,
Thanks for being practical and caring.
Some of us need a few free nights to keep the budget under control but we do also stay at friendly and hospitable caravan parks when ever possible to get back in shape for the next adventure.
As for people complaining about clean up costs at parks, don’t forget that day trippers don”t pay for their big day out and use the toilets and use the BBQ’s too. Most Nomads have all they need on board and definitely don’t make a lot of garbage.