It seems that not all rigs are equal when it comes to free camping
Some councils and caravan parks are being accused of discrimination for excluding certain types of rigs from camping areas.
While the rationale for allowing only self-contained rigs at ‘basic’ campsites is obvious, other ‘rules’ are less easy to understand.
For example, the Waratah-Wynyard council in Tasmania offers free overnight camping for self-contained motorhomes at its showgrounds, yet rigorously enforces a no-caravan rule … whether or not the van is self contained.
Caravanning grey nomads, Kerri and Ron Patterson, were upset when a council-appointed security guard asked them to leave the showgrounds.
“We feel like we are being discriminated against because we are not in a motorhome,” said Kerri. “We would like to know: what is the difference between a self-contained caravan and a self-contained motorhome?”
On the face of it, Wynyard’s ‘no-caravans-at-the-showgrounds’ policy appears to be at odds with its claim – and that of other towns with similar regulations – to be truly ‘RV friendly’.
Certainly, the term ‘recreational vehicle’ does not refer exclusively to motorhomes.
As David Duncan from the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Association of Australia told the Grey Nomads. “Recreational vehicles encompass caravans, motorhomes, fifth wheelers … the whole kit and caboodle.”
So, why the distinction in Wynard and elsewhere?
“The Wynyard Showground is limited to self-contained motorhomes only, which is as per the conditions of the permit for this facility,” said Waratah- Wynyard Acting Mayor, Alwyn Friedersdorff. “People staying in self-contained caravans are able to stay with commercial operators in town.”
At the heart of the issue is perhaps changing government attitudes towards council-operated budget camping areas in Tassie. Two years ago, the Statewide Directions Paper on camping made it clear which way the wind was blowing.
“Councils must adhere to the principles of competitive neutrality,” the paper concluded.
It may well be that the current political climate in Tasmania makes it difficult for councils such as Waratah-Wynyard to do all they would like in terms of offering budget camping.
What remains unclear though is why self-contained caravans should be treated so differently to motorhomes.
And it’s not the only ‘interesting’ rule relating to rigs.
The Robbie Robbins Reserve near Darwin welcomes motorhomes and caravans … as long as the vans aren’t poptops!
The manager of the local government-owned reserve, Anne Payne, told the GNT rooftop campers, camper trailers and tents were also excluded.
“We have previously had complaints that they were too untidy,” she explained.
