A call for a new dump point near Kiama on the New South Wales south coast has been categorically rejected amid fears it would lead to more illegal camping in the area.
Even the man who originally floated the idea, Kiama councillor Warren Steel, decided he didn’t want an extra dump point at the northern end of Bombo Beach after all.
“I didn’t realise so many people would be against this … I created a storm I assure you,” Cr Steel told the Illawarra Mercury. “I thought it was a good idea at the time, but if the people don’t want it you have to be pragmatic.”
Kiama council staff said people camping in the area were already causing them plenty of headaches. The council apparently receives numerous complaints regarding noise, fires, rubbish and the loss of parking spaces caused by the influx of campervans.
The Illawarra Mercury reports that the council has also incurred extra costs associated with litter collection and cleaning amenities.
Kiama council already offers sewage dump points at its holiday parks at Kendalls Beach, Surf Beach and Seven Mile Beach, as well as Kevin Walsh Oval at Jamberoo.
In rejecting the Bombo Beach dump point plan, the council said it would look into options for another site closer to Kiama but away from the coastal zone and commercial and residential areas.
* Do you think dump points encourage illegal camping? Should dump points be located well away from places where people might like to camp? Comment below
Who wants to camp next to a dump point? I know there is no way I would.
Those Council creeps will use any excuse to stop Campers…..
Another place to avoid.
I have seen Van packers camping around a dump point 3 vans 16 souls and a camp fire,using the tape for drinking ! had to ask them
to move thrie vans so I cold get my 34f motor home in to use the dump point and got abused for it. So you can see why it has been rejected more illegal camping by Van Packers they are really becoming a problem and we get the blame as always
How ridiculous. There are many towns and villages with dump points and they having encouraged campers to camp illegally. Just put signs up saying no camping. How hard is that?
Seems a bit shortsighted to me, but there are others in the area
The problem we have is that motorhome and caravan travellers (GN) are being placed in the same basket as back packers or van packers. In other words, the poor behaviour of some hire van travellers is ruining the free camping situation. Older Aussies travelling with appropriate respect for our country need to develop a strategy to separate ourselves from the grubs. I have seen some appalling behaviour from van hiring tourists. We are allowing their behaviour to affect our freedom to travel as we see fit. This may be the deeper issue with regard to council attitudes as they struggle to cope with the mess these types leave behind.
I could not agree with you more Phil as a classic example of this is occurring now at Port Macquarie.
It is more than apparent that the WICKED camper brigade are getting the remainder of us a bad reputation with there WICKED behaviour.
The Port Macquarie Council will next month begin an 8 month trial in regard to the issue of free camping.
For full details: http://www.portnews.com.au
The letter from Kiama said CAMPERVANS so yes it would be the backpacker wicked brigade etc.We see them all the time at Inskip Point qld Nat. Park come in at 5pm leave at 6am next morn don’t pay any fees that way .It happens every day and upwards of a dozen or more…..don’t get me started.
“Older Aussies travelling with appropriate respect for our country need to develop a strategy to separate ourselves from the grubs.” Dead right Phil. But we are a very fragmented group, a headless horse maybe. To get a single representative voice would seem to be next to impossible. Please don’t come on with the CMCA. Dump points at council yards seem to work well with me. Just a thought.
terry
That sounds like a good idea Terry, as long as there is good signage directing people to where it is & I do agree with other comments regarding the “Wicked” brigade, they don’t seem to have any respect for the countryside & certainly don’t appreciate the ‘free camps’, thinking they’re FREE to do what THEY like & stuff everybody else & leave it up to the enviromentally conscious GN to clean up after them!!