The fate of a popular RV stop in a quiet WA town hangs in the balance as the local council ponders how to react to a community backlash against it.
The Shire of Dardanup initially set up the camping area at Burekup, 20 kilometres east of Bunbury in the state’s south-west, in response to ‘demand for tourist-related facilities in the Ferguson Valley’.
With a permit, self-contained travellers can camp within the designated bays of the RV Parking Area for a maximum of 72 hours.
A limit of five vehicles was imposed.
The facility has proved extremely popular with travellers … but significantly less so with a section of the local community.
An online petition calling for the camping area to be shut down had received 95 signatures at the time of writing.
The petitioners say the RV stop does not adhere to the 1997 Parks and Camping Grounds Act because allowing a three-night stop makes the reserve a transit park’ which means there should be ‘a responsible person’ residing in or near the facility to be responsible for its supervision.
And the petition also claims that there has been a loss of that ‘serene country feel’ due to the ‘invasion of RVs, four-wheel drives, buses and vans’.
“The aesthetic and ambience of the Burekup community has been lost with the eyesore the camping site creates,” it says. “Campers have washing hanging on lines, rubbish sitting in bags and recreational equipment scattered across the area.”
The petition claims there have been numerous reports of faecal waste being illegally dumped down street drains, trees being used as toilets for campers during the night, and food scrap littering.
The petition argues that the campsite has provided no economic benefit to Burekup, and that the shop is already well supported by locals, community members and workers that stop.
“There are plenty of other free camping sites for people including the one in Dardanup less than 15 minutes up the road,” it said. “There is no authoritative body monitoring the site to ensure regulations are being adhered to … community members have accumulated photographic evidence of there being more than five vehicles parked at the Gardiner site, vehicles that aren’t self-contained and vehicles staying longer than three nights.”
When the issue of the contentious RV stop came up at a recent meeting, the Shire of Dardanup decided to defer a decision on its future until February.
HI, we live at Victor Harbor in SA, which is a summer destination for travellers & holiday makers alike. Australian’s of all races own this country & i am very tired of any local’s in regional areas not welcoming travellers enjoying the country they have a life long stake in. If you came to my area we would welcome you as that’s what nice people do. Burekup WTF do you people ever leave your bubble. Treat people as you would like to be treated.
Yes we stayed there and had a wonderful time, spent lots of money at the club, had great meals and great entertainment….so sad this may close
Loved our one night stay here. Had a nice walk around the town, went to the shop and watched night time sport.
Yes, I stayed there one night. Bought some groceries then moved on. The young woman in the supermarket was lovely and friendly. There were two other vans there both with table and chairs out under their awnings. No noise, no rubbish, no problem.
Im from Victoria and Ive caravanned all over Australia except NT and unfortunately WA is the least RV friendly state of all. It is hard to find free camping for longer than 24 hrs and there is often no parking spaces for long vehicles. That short time space doesn’t make it worth while unhitching the van just to get some groceries. Dump points are often in different locations from water taps and accommodation. Burkeup was good because it was 72 hours stay allowed and the general store was within walking distance. I really appreciated the facility.
Katanning was excellent with accommodation sites perfectly level, a dump point, water, and within walking distance to main street. I used the post office, a cafe for lunch, the laundrette, the service station, Woolworths, and a gas swap. I drove right through Kojunup 40klms out of my way, just to use the free facilities at Katanning. Katanning businesses got almost $300 worth of trade which Kojunup missed out on because they didn’t provide any free facilities for caravanners.
Kojonup has a $5 camp beside the old railway station across from Apex Park. There’s a dump point as well. Permits at the visitor centre. You can stay up to 3 nights.
Kojonup does have a free facility near the old train station and also a dump.point. maybe need to check with information in towns. Great IGA there as well.
With only 5 vehicles able to stay there how can they claim that there has been a loss of that ‘serene country feel’ due to the ‘invasion of RVs, four-wheel drives, buses and vans, they are still going to get that passing traffic be there a camp or not.
The problem is the campers ignoring the limit and also the requirement to be self contained. We experienced this many times during 6 months touring WA, staying at many great free or low cost RV stops. It’s sad that the inconsiderate few spoil it for those of us who appreciate and respect communities who welcome us.
We spent 3 nights there just over 6 weeks ago. Did not see any of the behaviour that is being talked about. We are self contained and have a grey water tank. There was only 5 at a time and a couple of days only us.
Very typical attitude of the folks in the South West of WA.
It is my view that the further south you travel in WA the more “less happy and less friendly” folks reside.
As you travel north of the state there is a marked improvement in attitudes of people due to more sunshine.
I believe it has something to do with the “sunshine” as you go north that makes people more happy.
Lighten up you Southwester’s and get out in the sun a bit more 🙂
Let them shut down this site as these locals do not want the economic benefits of campers. Other towns welcome visiting campers with open arms and the wallets they empty in local shops. Good riddance!
only 95 have signed the petition out of 800 or so the council should ask for proof to backup any claims
Like Margret River, they don’t want any Free Camping. I am just going to bypass that whole area, and come into WA via the NT. Do my thing for 700km, then come back to NT from same way. Maybe a total denial of service to the South West by us, over a few years, and it will hit them in the hip pocket, then maybe their will be a change.