Are designated free camping areas the way to go?
A popular New South Wales coastal town is close to admitting defeat when it comes to stopping illegal free camping in its streets.
Byron Bay has decided to join the North Coast Destination Network Freedom Traveller Taskforce, bringing it one step closer to providing free camping for ‘vanpackers’.
The Northern Star newspaper reports that the decision, which is subject to costs, extends to the council supporting the development of a ‘freedom camping in Byron’ management strategy that minimises the potential negative environmental /social effects of free camping.
“We are moving away from zero tolerance approach, which has not worked, to look at managing free camping,” Cr Paul Spooner told the paper. “We will collaborate with tourism operators and other councils to develop a common approach to managing free camping so it doesn’t adversely affect residents or the environment.”
Cr Spooner said this may involve developing specific messaging to campers and the industry, or develop designated areas for use by free campers.
Yes i think so As caravan parks are getting expensive.And they seem to cater for families.In stead of us grey nomads
I heard a new name for grey nomads recently. It was STRs, small town revivers and ain’t! that the truth ! Some towns are seeing the light. Home Hill in NQ saw the light and opined up the street near the rail station, put in a dump point and water for o/n stays. More need to do the same thing as our dollars are also important to the town’s economy.
By all means, Ban Free Camping, Its your town, Its Your right to do this,
But It does gets you listed on the Internet as a town to avoid,
So you miss out on any income Free Campers would have spent in your town,
Food, Diesel, Petrol and any touristy things you may have to attract tourists, Thats us, If you havent noticed before,
Thats our right to do this, Then Its your loss, Not ours,
And as your research has shown, There are a lot of us,
And we dont mind driving an extra 30 Kays to a town that welcomes us and like us spending in their town, and supports Free Camping,
I dont support Free Camping where the people act like pigs and leave their rubbish all over the place,
That gives everyone a bad name, Take your rubbish with you, There are bins supplied for this, Use them,
Yes, it isn’t a matter of going to CPs at those prices they are not an option, so if free camping is legally possible we can see more places, and incidentally they may find less litter and vandalism at the designated public land.
Speaking for myself…I always make it a point to tidy a grubby camping spot before I begin to use it !!..( perhaps I should send an invoice to the local council !!)….I can’t stand the sight of rubbish lying arouind everywhere…if you have travelled to some countries like the Philippines for instance, you can see just what will become of Australia, if no one cares about proper rubbish disposal.
But, as a rule, the majority of councils are blind to the contribution that Grey Nomads make to their town.
ABSOLUTELY & POSITIVELY YES YES YES.