The controversy surrounding the plan to allow businesses to provide supported camping services in some NSW national parks and reserves continues to grow.
Last September, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) invited Expressions of Interest from organisations seeking to provide supported camping at 23 campgrounds across 16 national parks and reserves.
It said camping support services might include tent or caravan hire and/or setup, equipment and bedding hire, as well as optional food and other related offerings.
Back then, the estimated decision date which proposals had been accepted was February 2.
Private operators will be able to book blocks of campsites at some NSW national parks.
However, it seems that timeline has now been extended.
A Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water spokesperson told the Grey Nomads the Expression of Interest (EOI) for Supported Camping services were currently being assessed.
“At this stage, no decisions have been made,” the spokesperson said. “Supported camping is an optional equipment hire service designed to make camping more accessible for visitors.”
The Department insists the new initiative will not affect the number of camping sites available, or the cost of camping within NSW national parks.
However, sparks flew at a recent Budgets Estimates meeting in the NSW parliament when Coalition environment spokeswoman, Jacqui Munro, repeatedly asked Environment Minister Penny Sharpe whether the amount private operators could charge the public would be capped.
Ms Sharpe dismissed the line of questions as ‘hypothetical’ and said she hadn’t seen the business proposals.
“We’ve done an EOI process, that’s all being collated for recommendations in relation to me,” she said. “The point that I would make is that in terms of the expectations of the revenue that will be provided if supported camping went ahead in all of the sites that have been proposed, it’s about $32,000 a year … this is not a big money spinner for national parks.”
However, Ms Munro said operators were potentially making money off access to public land and that it could be quite lucrative for them … and she questioned Ms Sharpe’s assertion that access to national parks was absolutely protected.
“It’s not necessarily protected if there are costs associated that we are not aware of,” she said.
The call for expressions of interest says private operators would pay either $830.40 a year and 5% of turnover, or $1245.60 and 10% cent of revenue, but it does not spell out how much the businesses can ultimately charge the public.
When the plan was first unveiled, many grey nomad correspondents were extremely sceptical. One said it would leave fewer spaces for other campers, and she had other concerns.
“It is likely private providers will price supported camping at a prohibitive price for the people it is targeting,” she said. “I noticed the high price of glamping which is essentially supported camping … I doubt many families can afford this.”
And there were also general worries about the initiative changing the nature of camps.
“Having been overrun with block booked community groups at our local sites more than once it’s a ‘proceed with caution’ from me,” said another correspondent. “They universally commandeered the barbecues, the kitchen hut, and the showers … and didn’t teach the teens about boundaries or camp etiquette.”
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Bombard Penny Sharpe with emails stating that you strongly object to this proposal and give your reasons. Did you also know that NPWS are proposing to allow private motorbike tours in a large number of parks ( I saw a figure of 272) and quad bike tours in 40 parks? I object strongly to these proposals too and have emailed the minister about all three proposals.
Nation Parks are public places and should be managed by NPWS, our taxes pay for this to happen, with privatising would restrict some with the costs on being able to afford to camp, I believe this would cause degradation of sites not being maintained correctly
I camp in NP often with my caravan, it is my favourite type of camping because it is simple and has none of the frills of a caravan park. A well maintained drop toilet is appreciated but the ability to have a campfire and sometimes choose your spot is what I like. The campgrounds where you book a spot, I feel does not work well because of ghost camping and no shows but I see it is necessary when spots are limited. NP is affordable for all and often in some of the most pristine Australian environments. Please don’t commercialise it as it will really affect the enjoyment of a simple affordable holiday, contribute to overcrowding or unavailability in peak times.
Keep commercial glamp in commercial property not in NP, go away glamp next a bouncy castle somewhere else
DEFINITELY NO, it will ruin camping for those of us who do not have a lot of money and live on low incomes. Also will lead towards parks being booked out and no one showing up. Camping is camping, let’s leave it as it is, best way to enjoy the outdoors.