A New South Wales Council will hear later this month about how successful – or otherwise – its crackdown on free camping has been.
Back in December, Central Coast Council decided to install new signage at its reserves and car parks prohibiting free parking between 10pm and 5am in a bid to stop people sleeping there. It also instructed rangers to enforce the restrictions.
The council area includes such cities as Gosford and Wyong.
The Coast Community News reports that Deputy Mayor Doug Eaton was keen to get the measures in place amid fears the issue would ‘dramatically’ increase over summer holidays.
His motion, following some amendments, was passed with the Mayor’s casting vote.
Campervans are a common presence in beach car parks up and down the coast. PIC: CIzza
It also stated that in cases of genuine homelessness, Council rangers are to offer referral to appropriate support services.
The motion also moved that Council staff negotiate with the NRMA as the operators of council caravan parks to offer temporary free or subsidised accommodation to the genuine homeless for a short period and that staff investigate other appropriate accommodation options.
“My concern is that these illegal free campers are taking up beachside parking spots making them unavailable for residents and tourists,” Mr Eaton said.
The move apparently follows a number of complaints by Budgewoi residents late last year about the high number of people camping at the two car parks at Lakes Beach.
Residents said some were living at the carparks for weeks and even months at a time.
One resident who did not want to be named told the Coast Community News that a bus in the Lakes Beach Surf Club carpark had been there for more than a month and was in the same spot last year for four months.
But a second car park with no toilet facilities, more remote and further away from the surf club, was reported to have attracted the most campers.
Another resident who travels past the car parks told the Coast Community News that sometimes the second car park was full of campers.
With no toilet facilities, the residents believe campers are using nearby bush.
“Local ratepayers are not happy,” one resident said. “Locals would love to have a house on the beach but cannot afford it …. they are taking up all the parking spaces and I don’t think it’s fair for local ratepayers.”
The CEO is to report back to Council in February on the implementation and effectiveness of the new anti-free camping measures and other relevant issues.
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At the end of the day,these are car parking spaces, not over night or 48hr parks.
Hving lived on the north coast of nsw this a common issue, the issue happen,s at crescent head.
So good on the council for their stand on this
If caravan Pk coast less my be people wound stay
Agreed
So how many locals want to park at the beach between 10pm and 5am?
Exactly what I thought Marianna
I live on the Sunshine Coast and it’s the same problem here. By issuing no parking between 10 and 5, this is to try and curb the permanent camping. It is less appealing if people can’t park during those hours.
Agree.
Yes, i agree 100%. Ive stayed at crescent head a few times now & its magnificent.
Inevitable as population increases and homelessness increases.
How long would I get away with sleeping in my camper or tent at a park in Sydney or e.g. the Northern Beaches or Maroubra.
It is too easy to blame the homeless as being lazy or whatever but evidence exists to suggest that, by and large, if they are helped then they become less of a burden on society. It also costs less to help them rather than force them to be itinerant.
The Govenments are to blame for this, because they have dropped supplying of public housing for years now. Just recently, they have incresaed the N0 of So called refugees into this country and have not done a thing about infrastrucure to support them!!
This is a hard one. How to satisfy the needs of two disparate groups: locals and tourists?
I’m sure that Municipal Councils and local businesses want tourists to visit for the money they bring into the community otherwise the answer would be to ban tourists altogether.
Perhaps more short term stopping areas could be provided with, say, a 3 day stay limit. Rangers would have no problem keeping tabs on both day parking areas and the short stay areas, moving on or fining overstayers as required.
Good suggestion. If you are travelling often caravan parks are booked out and you don’t always have an idea of where you will be and when. It is also very expensive if you are travelling for some months.
There is a need for stops with basic services – toilets and perhaps showers at say $20.00 per vehicle per day. Not all of us want jumping castles, bowling greens, swimming pools etc. at $60.00 or more daily.
Even $20 per day is too much for full time travellers living on a single pension. My home on wheels is fully self contained and my total income is around $500 per week. Your $20 equates to $140 per week which is more than my food budget. And I worked and paid taxes for 46 years to be able to retire.
I did up top
I sympathise with your comment, but there is a lot of people like you in the same boat! I started work in 1966, retired in 2017, and never was on the dole, or was out of work for just 1 day in that time. If I was on a full aged pension now, I would only plan for what I could afford to do on a day to day basis. I dont think I have any right to “entitlement” in this country, other than that I planned and saved for so i could have a secure retirement.
Spot on.
A bit less would be great.
Maybe No charge if you stay self contained and don’t use facilities.. just sleep there and move on.
Charge per use of showers and toilets etc.
maybe charge a minimal fee for water..
So agree.
That right 100%
100% and most times the available for a plot anywhere is slim to non existent these days and it’s due to the prohibition put on free camping in Australia. Japan have set parking lots for free camping how hard is it to supply a venue to keep everyone happy, for the cost it takes for them to chase everyone breaking the rules they could have set up areas for it to be accepted and not an issue for locals
Good idea
New laws more laws im sure my dad all my family memebers didnt give there lives away for this class privilege i live beach
How bloody minded of the council to do this. Keep the toilets open provide garbage bins, and your local area just might make some money out of these travellers.
Most of these car parks and toilets are called ‘Public Car Parks and Toilets ‘ have been paid for by Government Grants, with tax payer’s money from all over the country. So these beaches and foreshores belong to us all. The ratepayers jurisdiction ends at their front gate like every one else’s.
I live in Wollongong where council is just slack and doesn’t address the problem except In Wollongong by itself
Byron council has addressed this problem for over 50 years
Police and council rangers work together to move people on
When Brunswick heads had problems council put more rangers on
Wollongong has no camping signs and does nothing about enforcing in the northern suburbs
We don’t know who these people are
Wollongong council is ruthless on illegal parking
Doesn’t address illegal camping because no anti social behaviour
Coledale camping ground had to hire security because non paying camper thought they are entitled to stay there without paying
That sounds anti social
Illegal Parker get book without any anti social behaviour
Give ratepayers a cut or move these illegal camper on
Open the showgrounds in these places,if they don’t want what’s offered move them on.we stay at a lot of showgrounds,we just want clean toilets and powered sites.
Yes, this is just retoric around this country at the moment.
They should build or reopen the free campsites instead of forcing us into using the very expensive ripoff campsites run by the greedy big two companies who have infiltrated and are influencing the local councils
NSW ISTHE WORST STATE TO VISIT STAY AWAY THEIR ARE BETTER PLACES TO VISIT IT IS A POLICE STATE
It’s time the goverment open new parks for caravans only and cheap rates and run by the goverment private parks are to expenive and greedy
Oh yes. Central coast council are the pits. They own the caravan parks and charge like wounded bulls. Why because they are dead broke. So here again is another way to grab money. There’s no free camping on the coast and what was good was the Showground but that is now closed. A beautiful park is mostly empty because the people are not going to pay their stupid prices.
Yep it’s a problem everywhere. Not fair some are getting a free holiday where everyone else pays. Councils either need to lock these areas up overnight or have ranger patrols fine these people it will pay for the rangers salary deter the illegals and give councils revenue. There is a difference between van lifers no fixed address and homelessness. Homeless need also be deterred from free camping. Most are still receiving benefits from government so could possibly get a few nights subsidised in a van park and referred to the right authorities. Perhaps local churches could offer free overnight parking in the church grounds where there are toilets and pay or have a volunteer to clean etc. Something needs to be done.
I am homeless and have been on the waiting list forever for a place to stay. You have no idea how exhausted homeless services are right now. I work and live in my van. I pay for my own food and when I can pay for a nights stay at a caravan park when I can afford too and if there is a space available. I dont sleep at the carparks at the beach because you’re not allowed to anyway, but this behaviour towards homeless people is disgusting. I’ll continue to live in my van until I can afford something because it’s better than living out in the cold on the street.
There are many cheap camping places like showgrounds which can be $10-20 a night with showers and toilets. Timbertown nr Wauchope $15 a night unpowered site, that’s just a couple of suggestions. I believe these feral campers that leave rubbish around won’t want to pay a cent to camp because they prefer to spend money elsewhere.
Why aren’t these homeless being taken in by their families? I’ve travelled to many countries in the world and apart from the Americas you hardly ever see so many homeless!
A lot of the “Ferel Campers” you mention are itinerants and those on gap year from overseas in Wizz Bangs who leave rubbish where they like and crap in the bush and then go back to their homes overseas.
Iv been homeless for 5 years and have met many people in the same situation,I started off going to show grounds but most have put there fees up so unaffordable,I don’t stay in the same place I move around
As far as rubbish is concerned I’m a expert disgusting and guess who are mainly responsible the locals from dumping washing machines to nappies Showground’s need to be opened up at
low cost and longer time limits and more overnight or 48
StaysAlso national parks are to expensive. for homeless
I was talking to a homeless man the other day , said parks were too dear but pulled out a packet cigarettes. Yer right
I am from Canada and there are in any city or towns homeless if you tell everybody apart from America there is hardly any homelessness your lying to your self
We live in a coastal tourist tow South of Melbourne.
On our regular early morning walks we see motorhomes that have spent the night camped illegally in boat ramp carparks, at lookout carparks & in supermarket carparks.
We don’t think that they’re creating any real problems for residents.
Public land and you can’t park after 10pm absolutely disgusting, councils are caretakers they do not own the land so why is it they can dictate when you can visit. Same shit in QLD no parking from 10pm to 4am on public land..stand up and fight people
Queensland is just dodgy.
We went there in July last year as we always do every year for 6 or 8 weeks.
In Roma, I saw a Copper just lurking under a tree, I thought, he is waiting for someone to book.
I checked my speedo, on cruise control at 60kph, the correct speed.
Sure enough he pulled me up and booked me for 68kph.
$321.00 fine!
We have been supporting your state every year for 12 years.
Will I go there again, NO!!!
Do you think that you got value for your $321.00 fine, Premier Chrisafulli?
In a tiny Victorian country town we unhitched our caravan where we’d camped & drove 2 kms down the road.
The cops pulled us over & fined us $375 for still having our towing mirrors attached.
In the USA Motor Homes and Vans are encouraged to overnight in Supermarket car parks and the like after hours as a Security measure for the stores. Who is going to break in to say Woolworths or Bunnings if a few Motor homes or vans are stopped overnight as possible witnesses?
You make a good point re the security issue Len. Stay overnight, gone by 8am, who’s being hurt.
In October 2024 we left our home in Bairnsdale for Robe S.A.
Got to Ballarat and Wife felt unwell, so went to the Ballarat Base Hospital, where she was admitted for heart problems.
I went and parked the Caravan at Bunnings as I needed some things in the morning when the shop opened for business.
The Manager saw me and said “Good Morning, is that van yours?”
I said, Good Morning, and yes.
His answer, “thank you, the best security possible, and at no cost!”
I was happy about that.
Caravan parks are full, during peak season and outside of peak season.
Where do you expect people wanting to travel and camp stay?
Our government has brought in so many people that the facilities we have aren’t sufficient anymore.
The government has closed all the old free camping areas in bushland, gated it all off.
Our greedy government just want and want and want, without ever giving back to the working class people.
There is no such thing as illegal camping, because sleeping without fear of persecution is a human rights violation.
Our government is making people homeless filling up caravan parks with homeless people, making the travelers pay by increasing their fees, some caravan parks I have come across are charging upwards of $130 per night for a camping site for a caravan, this was Helensvale in qld, the average in nsw was $80 per night?
It use to be $38 per night, and the parks are still all full?
If the government doesn’t provide suitable services or facilities they can’t fine people for sleeping in their vehicles!
Period.
The travelling people add billions every year to the Australian economy.
Keep up what you’re doing and we will just start going overseas and spending our money elsewhere!
I’m a full time traveller and the amount of money people are spending to not be fined by councils is extortion.
Rockhampton has a very large free camping area, 48 hour limit, everyone I meet that stayed there, was going out for dinners and supporting local businesses.
The caravan parks then had additional space for the homeless and the people who want to stay in the caravan parks.
Setting a great example. There are viable solutions if anyone will put them into place. Australia is a great country for travel. It’s becoming nearly impossible to see this country.
A civil community takes care of its disadvantaged. . Many homeless, who once contributed meaningfully to their communities, might find themselves in dire circumstances for one or another reason. They are enterprising to get a van instead of throwing themselves on the mercy of the state. They need acknowledgement and support. They need a place to set down and call home, the same as those of us lucky enough to have homes.
They need support – shower blocks at the least! Australia is a rich country and vans are a cheap way to have somewhere to call home.
For goodness sake, give them dignity.
And have the police available to remove any who are garbage, noise or safety vandals. Please, Councils, rise to the plate!
Defe
I agree, there are some who are homeless as a result of fire, flood or sickness and as long as they leave areas clean and tidy and if they buy their supplies from the supermarkets etc in the area to help the economy, why not let them stay overnight in car parks etc when the car parks are free from the locals.
In 2003 we went to Tennant Creek then across a the Barkly of Tablelands.
We came across a town called Jericho, the caravan park was free, powered sites, toilets and showers.
Apparently the Mine had closed and the town was dying.
So the caravan park was opened up, free, travellers stayed and spent their money in the town instead of accommodation.
A win, win situation.
We stayed for a week!
One local resident stated “Local ratepayers are not happy,” one resident said. “Locals would love to have a house on the beach but cannot afford it …. they are taking up all the parking spaces and I don’t think it’s fair for local ratepayers.”
Locals would love to be homeless and have no where to legally sleep at night?
I dont think so.
There is a housing crisis in Australia, we are all aware of this.
Our country is run by a bunch of muppets!!
The people of our country who are blaming these poor people who have no other option but to sleep in public carparks and sh*t in a bush, need to have some understanding and maybe a little compassion!
Focus your energy on pushing for the government to help these people instead of focusing on being “Karen’s” and winging in the comments section of the new articles.
Keyboard warriors.
(No Karen, I am not homeless).
There is a need for stops with basic services – toilets and perhaps showers at say $20.00 per vehicle per day. Not all of us want jumping castles, bowling greens, swimming pools etc. at $60.00 or more daily.There is a need for stops with basic services – toilets and perhaps showers at say $20.00 per vehicle per day. Not all of us want jumping castles, bowling greens, swimming pools etc. at $60.00 or more daily.
Some councils have a better vision for non caravan park travellers.
Geraldton in WA for example have at least 3 spots for we travellers in campervans/rooftop vehicles.
One on the east side and one on the west end of town with showers and toilets, then with a larger one in the middle of town for bigger rigs.
Hats off to this council.
Well done.
Stayed in Geraldton when driving my van around Oz. There were special spaces for vans to stay for 24 hours just near the toilet and shower block. It was brilliant. Never saw anything like it anywhere else around Oz.
The vanpark fraternity is again attempting to influence Councils to protect their exclusivity. Why not provide more overnight or short-stay facilities for general community financial benefit?
Start towing the illegal campers.
I have had 20 years experience in Local Councils as a senior staff member 10 plus years with couple coastal councils.
couple points :
Rubbish bins were stopped being used as people both locals and travellers used the location of the bin (big or small) as a rubbish dump leaving councils to take away truck loads most Mondays . Locals did it to save dumping fees or were just lazy. Travellers (Minority) abused the spot in the same way ie a days rubbish is OK but to place a weeks waste of all sorts was just lazy .Day trippers should just take their rubbish home .
To use public car parking spaces for camping is wrong particularly when there are no facilities . . The majorety of campers /caravan travellers etc use allocated places and if there is no suitable place move on to the next legal camping spot be it free camping or a caravan place (most are expensive now I acknowledge) Councls have the right to move people on they are responsable for mainteance of roads and road reserves (footpath) and to ensure they are kept safe for ALL the general public.
I have done the lap twice as well as other trips and Never had to park in a pubic carpark or suburban / country town rd. People who do this in my view are lazy and inconsiderate .
In France local councils provide free or low cost camping for overnighters – inclusing waste disposal and basic facilities. We should have the same system (eg 48hr limit) rather than the heavy hand of the law and rangers policing so called illegal camping to appease righteous ‘ratepayers’.
The majority are not doing anything wrong.
I live on the lake, where offen campers stop for a night or 2, taking their rubbish with them, doing no harm, having a holiday away from the rat race that we already enjoy on a daily basis.
Relax, meet new people, you will find you probably have a lot in common. They like being near the water too.
The travellers $ can benefit a region as this has proven to be the case in many locations where the councils don’t wear blinkers or are swayed by c/park interests. Providing free/low cost areas is a easy way to boost the local ecoomy. We all talk & there are multiple web sites providing o/night stops & other info.
It’s safer camping in your van in a council carpark than a privately owned caravan Park el Lago at the entrance for example
This council needs to have a really good look at the reasons behind the choices they are making .
Look at the aires system that Thay have in France and Spain problem solved it’s not hard probably would be worth providing facilities tho
Thier is clearly a demand and no one has stepped up to solve it (private company opportunity) Menny camp sites are just to out of reach for Menny reasons mostly cost and entry time’s from what I have seen Heard
I do agree that camping should not be allowed at these places or any public parks or beaches etc and any actual campers should be moved on immediately. However to ban all parking full stop during those hours is a bit over kill. What about a shift worker finishing at midnight wanting to have a nice sit at the beach with a coffee and a bite to eat? Are they allowed to park there and do that? Just say “no camping or overnight stays here” it’s simple and easy to understand.
Maybe putting signs in the car parks/public spaces etc (next to the no parking signs) advertising a location that overnight stayers can go to would help some people find a safe allowable place to stay.
Always been a hard one… I lived at Phillip Is in Vic for years. I ran a hotel/resort on the Esplanade and vans were always parked out the front opposite the beach. Council gave up booking them because most were backpackers who owned the van for only a few months and never paid and couldn’t be chased because there was no record of who they were.
People pay good money to be in these prime locations. People camping and often not having/using toilet facilities puts a real blight on the landscape.
I have respect for these areas… and I don’t want confrontation with rangers. We don’t want crowds either… We free camp 99% of the time and travel mainly inland as a result.
Don’t you just love the “Whinging Brigade” on these particular sites. It’s fun reading and it makes you realise how miserable some people must be living their daily lives. Thanks for the entertainment
My brother lives in his van by choice and frequents the central coast as this is where he’s lived for more than 20 years. It’s his lifestyle choice to not live in a traditional home. I can see the arguments (pros and cons) from both sides and in such a busy location space should be available for the day trippers both local and travellers.
Local caravan operators could be offering available spaces at discounted rates as yes, park fees are now quite expensive.