Opposition to a plan to make major changes to camping in New South Wales national parks is picking up steam.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) announced last month that it was inviting Expressions of Interest submissions from suitably qualified businesses to provide supported camping services in some of the state’s national parks and reserves.
The organisation says it is offering licences to provide supported camping at 23 campgrounds across 16 national parks and reserves.
These include Kosciuszko, Blue Mountains, Killalea, Bouddi, Mimosa Rocks, Booti Booti, Wollemi, and Warrumbungle.
Private operators will be able to book blocks of campsites at some NSW national parks.
Private operators will have the right to book and resell campsites, hire out caravans, tents and equipment, and sell food packages.
The move is quite a divergence from the traditional camping model in NSW national parks whereby visitors book spots directly with the NPWS.
Leader of the state Opposition, Mark Speakman, has now labelled the plan as ‘gobsmacking hypocrisy from a government that said it was opposed to privatisation’.
And Shadow Minister for Tourism Kevin Anderson said the changes could put the great outdoors out of reach in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.
“Camping has always been a great Australian pastime, with generations of families enjoying some time away from the rat-race in the peace and tranquillity without breaking the bank,” he said. “Our national parks are a huge draw card for rural and regional areas, receiving more than 50 million visits every year, including 1.8 million overnight campground stays, but now Labor wants to put our most treasured natural assets behind a paywall which is absolutely outrageous.”
However, the NSW Government says the idea is to draw in people who have not previously camped extensively.
Research published by Instinct and Reason in 2023 which showed 62% of adults in NSW are open to camping including 10% who have never camped before but are keen to try.
An NPWS spokesperson told the Grey Nomads that as the popularity of the state’s national parks continues to grow, the NSW Government is continually exploring new ways to provide opportunities for more people to enjoy them.
“NPWS has developed the trial in response to growing demand from people interested in camping, but who lack the necessary gear and experience – which can be a significant upfront cost hurdle for first-time campers,” they said. “By offering a service that provides fully set-up camping gear, NPWS can make camping more accessible, encourage more people to explore the outdoors and help them gain confidence.”
It says there are more than 365 campgrounds in NSW national parks, so the 23 campgrounds selected for this trial of supported camping services represents approximately 6% of campgrounds.
NPWS says there will be limitations on the number of sites that can be booked with the supported camping service and all campgrounds will continue to be available to the public for bookings.
It says the providers of the optional equipment hire and set-up service will not have any exclusive use of any campsites, and that the campground capacities will remain the same.
However, it did say that while the fees NPWS charges for camping will remain the same, it will be up to the service provider to appropriately price their optional supported camping services.
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Absolutely ridiculous idea. Let’s just cut accessibility for the majority and make it exclusive for the minority.
What a load of BS and Govt speak. The 6% they have targeted are the most popular parks?
Can’t get into Thredbo Diggings until MAY!
I thought we the average Aussie own all national parks so why would you put them out to private companies
This sounds like another example of the government raising revenue by making incremental changes over a period of time, eventually moving this affordable leisure activity to an expensive park management model where they simply lease the areas at exorbitant rates and leave the work to private enterprise to make a profit out of this government owned property forcing prices through the roof which we have all seen in other areas where the government lease to private enterprise.
These sites are NOT government OWNED! They are owned by every person entitled to permanent residency in the wonderful country. I for one do t want to hire a van, or camping gear and further, I don’t want. Coffee van or takeaway near my site
Think again NSW
The previous labour government in Qld did the same with a national park north of Noosa. The socialist governments are becoming capitalists.
Ha! Ha! Yes!
Well said , what more stupidity can they come up with
Aren’t they ‘owned’’ virtually by the UN , given away by politicians and greenies? All part of ‘saving the planet’ bs? We the people don’t really control them now!
Huh? So why is saving the planet anathema to you? If you’re fond of travelling to and enjoying wild places, surely you’re in favour of caring for them, and ensuring a future for this glorious (but currently beleaguered) planet?
Tiotally agree. Government wheedling itself into EVERY FREAKIN area of our lives.
All about the dollar
Wonder why people are going overseas now
Not a great idea as costs will increase dramatically and as the government releaves itself of the management, more parks will become part of the plan. Private enterprise is there to make money. It has nothing to do with conservation or ensuring equitable resources for all.
If half (to guess a figure) of the sites at a campground are turned into Disneyland, can you imagine how appalling it will be for people trying to enjoy nature in the remaining sites? And they will likely not be the best sites anyhow, the ‘onsellers’ will get the best.
Is there a petition to sign?
The NSW Labor Government will not take any notice of a petition. Just look at the Victorian Labor Government voting in a Voice to Parliament even after 70+ Aussies voted against it in a referendum.
NSW:
Paper petitions need at least 500 signatures to be considered for a response.
e-petitions need at least 10,000 signatures to be officially debated.
Next will be a trial lease on all camping in certain places. This will free up NPWS from cleaning and booking problems. Les staff on the ground.
The lack of detail is hidden in that 10% Who Instinct & Reason Anyway? It is so obvious this is a revenue raiser hidden behind this guise If we Don’t stand up to this Camping will become an expensive pastime alienating those they supposedly trying to encourage
Really doesn’t make any sense
Not a Government worthy of trust on this one
Typical ,out of touch. Government thinking.
I suppose MP s don’t spend much time hiring tents to go for family holidays.
Dreadful idea. Reduces the number of places for those in tents or vans. The cost of the glamping will be prohibitive to many people.
A better idea would be to charge slightly more per site to dissinsentivise people from making bookings and not turning up, simultaneously making an income stream to pay for the park upkeep.
Agree
Have just read some of the other comments and believe that all are something the government should listen to . Why pick all good parks and not show prospective campers the reality of cost cutting of the remaining parks.
No way should this go ahead. National parks are supposed to be low cost places that everyone can afford to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. I don’t want or need a coffee van. I don’t want private operators taking over some camp sites and being able to book them 6 months before the general public. You can bet if that happens every school holiday, long weekend and best times to camp will be booked by them. We are quickly loosing the ability to camp at a reasonable cost in our national parks which my taxes have contributed towards. Keep them low cost and free of privatisation.
Follow the money. Locked out of public land all for the dollar ment for the public’s use.
Why not follow what WA, NT, SA do put Camp Hosts in with the return on expenses given to the many hosts who run the camp grounds full time or for the 5+ months of the season, freeing up the rangers to do there job.We even did admin work, machinery maintenance and repairs, serviced the daily running of the generator system for the housing, office and workshop, pumping daily 250ltr to run the systemCamp hosts looking after campers being the first call for information, cleaning sites between campers maintaining BBQ and gas runs for the them, cleaning toilet blocks in the camp, checking in new campers ectSome major parks have 6 or more camp hosts 2 have a day of on rotation and 4 share the peak check in times and rotate camp maintenance duties on the same rotating system between them selfsSome parks are full on smaller remote parks are very relaxed even allowing happy hours (lots of parks promote this if you wish to, it’s up to the host)Camp hosting great way to meet others and be a part of a great system WA at times has up to 350+ on there books at any time for the full yearCome on NSW get your act together especially like WA and those states that have people who love giving back to the nation’s national parks
Another wasteful Govermental idea getting in the way of letting people enjoy there lives WITHOUT govt interference. NPWL do an excellent job of looking after OUR National Parks – no need for more bureaucracy and cost
Its ‘just 23 sites… now – but how long for? What’s the guarantee it won’t increase in number. Will the fees be the same as those chrged by NPWS at these 23 parks as the others if I don’t need any ‘camping services’ – just a site from the providers?
We have to see this in the context of the recent NPWS proposal to greatly increase the cost of camping in all national parks. The impact of this price hike was concealed in a misleading consultation paper. If this gets up, it will have a major effect on the affordability and equity of camping in our national parks. Parks belong to the people.
Sorry, but it’s similar to the ABC..it’s not our parks..it’s THEIR parks. Control freaks at large
If your interested in camping you’ll either buy what you need or borrow it from a friend to try it out. This idea sounds like they will turn into expensive glamping sites for people who think thats the way to camp.
What an appalling idea by this stupid government ! These parks have been paid for by us the taxpayers of Australia and private industry is NOT Welcome to turn it into a profit driven Disneyland .
Stop turning State Forests into Natipnal Parks if you can’t responsibly manage them !!!
what a bloody stupid idea .. Who in the hell was the idiot that thought this up ?
Ill bet he / she or it never goes camping especially in any of our great NP s…….. Simo
My concern is that there will be sites booked by the Caravan park and no one taking up the offer leaving these sites empty- another form of ghost camping
Seriously! This government has to go! What a joke
Just another way the Government can shed its responsibilities and work load from Rangers to private concerns and of course this will increase costs to the consumer, Governments nowadays are unable to operate anything that requires some common sense…
Honestly, I think it’s a bad idea. If you’re curious about camping but don’t have gear, there are heaps of ways to get started—hire companies, pick up something second-hand (even freebies on marketplace), or borrow from someone you know.
We just did a trip in a hired campervan from Sydney to Victoria and only stayed in one NSW National Park. The costs were way higher than in QLD or VIC, and NSW even charged extra for park entry. Letting companies profit from public parks will just make it even harder for everyday people to enjoy them.
Next it will be leasing all the beaches out to chair and umbrella providers with all others compelled to pay a fee to access the small remaining space at the rocky end.
Jest not. The Gold Coast council is floating this idea now and the new LNP government is taking the bait. Next it will be Maroochydore and Noosa.
Quell Horror!!!
Yep apparently u can hire little beach for weekends what a joke how do they get away with that
Stupid! Typical Labor government initiative! Think of a “this will get me more votes idea” and let the real world pick up the pieces to roll it out!
Sound like someone has created a study to convince a Dumb Government that they need to do this, Pollies don’t think this suff up people who see a quick $$$ do.
As camping does have its share of risk, by the Governments own admission it is attempting to attract those without skills and education to avoid harm. This is a road to problems! Camping can begin with relatively low costs for short term adventures where you learn the skills and knowledge. Generally it is a very poor plan and I agree with so much of what has been said by others.
This shows the incompetence of Governments not being able to manage any type of business e.g. Power, Gas, Water, Roads, etc etc. & now National Parks. Once one does it they will all follow. These ” utilities are owned by the people NOT government bureaucrats who just seem to do as they like without recourse.
Nope. Corporations have no place in our national parks. Not smart, not fair, not a good look.
Do NSW national parks have the problem with ‘Ghost Camping’ like other states.
We do a lot of caravaning, although don’t stay in National Parks for some reason.
In the past, I’ve found the booking process cumbersome.
Maybe a commercial enterprise might streamline things more, as long as the prices/rates don’t increase considerably.
That’s the problem, the government has neglected to properly review the current booking system (dysfunctional) and now wants to ‘fix it’s with privatization! Typical underhanded privatization policy.
What a stupid idea. I wonder whose brain thought that up. If you want to improve campng then ensure there are areas where we can park a caravan. Most parks have a timber railing around campng areas meaning we cannot get a van in to camp
So angry I can’t formulate a succinct comment. This is so wrong. Time for everyone to pester their local member and/or the media. What happens to the little families that can’t access these sites now because someone is making a big profit. Look at all those wonderful family holiday memories that will never be made. These sites are on ‘reserves’ ie reserved for the public not businesses. The govt should be ashamed of themselves. They are paid to govern for the better good. Of course they have no idea what that means anymore as it’s been so long since they’ve done it. Grrrr!
Ah privatisation the word that politicians have been using for decades where they say – ‘ it’s best for everyone & prices will stay down’ but reality is that like everything the politicians (regardless who is in) privatise we the average Australian will pay for it. Look at electricity, gas, water, CTP, roads the list is long. Remember Howard? ‘The GST will allow us the build the best roads with no tolls, the best schools, hospitals, universities, railways & the Western Sydney Airport’ How’s all that worked out?
Just another useless idea from the government that couldn’t run a meat raffle
I agree with all the comments I’ve read. We caravan and spend most of our time in national parks. More access for vans not higher fees and private companies would be better. Privatisation will definitely price us out of parks the same as caravan parks have . Obviously government is more interested in overseas visitors than the public who votes them in and pays for the parks. It seems the governments today are not happy unless they are ruining everything this beautiful country of ours is , we will soon have no parks and no wildlife to enjoy.
Our public National Parks, privately managed to help who? Up go the fees.
What next, marching bands in camp grounds on Sunday mornings?
This guarantees that charges will increase dramatically. An idiotic idea.
What an absolute joke. The fact you can book out sites for 2 weeks and not show up with no penalty leaving that site unavailable for others is absurd on its own, let alone this disaster of an idea. This will not end well.
Absolut joke changeing and monetising camping for 6percent of the population more like lining there own pockets of the back of working class again
Why do they need to ‘draw in’ customers to nat pks?
If you want to go, you do.
If you don’t, you don’t.
So much for environmentally aware access to everyone, now with a $ attached.
When they snapped up all the best bits & told us they would preserve it we knew they could never manage the land properly.
Who’ll clean up the meds when this venture fails?
Seems like the system has neglected to properly review their current booking system for NP, declared it inadequate and now wants to bring in private providers aimed at a more affluent demographic.
I want to know how I can get a job with the new ‘supported camping ‘ providers! What a great gig!
National parks are for those that appreciate the quiet of the bush, the flora and the fauna !!
They were and are established to do just that and protect the environment at the same time !!
Caravan parks are for those who think they can’t do without their facilities and social interaction, everybody has a choice as to where they would like to spend their leisure time !!
Opening up parks to private enterprise would surely mean the introduction of materials such as bitumen, hoons would absolutely love the opportunity to display their skills in doing burnouts and the like, they don’t need to be given the opportunity to hire camping equipment, they won’t need it, they live on high octane and burned rubber smells !!
NSW Government, wake up to yourself and don’t even think of taking this any further, it’s bad enough to try and squeeze around bollards in the middle of your campsite now !!
another outrageous decision by government who are so far out of touch with the majority of the people that voted them in, it’s going to become the NSW national park circus as private companies are going to screw all campers at every stone and bush in the park, look at what privatisation has done to everything else in our country the governments always look at the soft options to eliminate their responsibility and accountability as it will be the private companies issue and the government will look into it, if it goes ahead boycott all the sites
It stinks. Most of the fun is setting up and showing your kids and grandkids how.
What a load of garbage if people aren’t sure if they are going to like it do what we all did and buy your own gear and try it. NSW National parks are hard enough to book now without giving sites to private companies I thought they were for the general public to use not for companies to make money out of at our expense the sooner this labour government is removed the better.
National Parks belong to everyone no negotiations and not for private enterprise.
Mental health problems are huge here and pristine places, wild places, quiet places all needed to help solve these problems.
National Parks are set aside to preserve the environment, increase the load of tourists in these areas then they will deteriorate. We are lucky we can quietly access these parks and that is how it should remain.
Leave them alone.
Get real if you want to camp in luxury go to a resort, not a national park.
Nothing to do with service to the people, all to do with “GREED”.