The issue of how to tackle illegal camping is a thorny one for many beachside communities, but one WA council has taken an innovative approach … it’s turning off the hot water at the public showers on one of its beaches.
Perth’s Town of Cambridge council has taken the drastic step at City Beach ‘as part of efforts to address illegal camping in the area’.
Showers will remain operational with cold water only.
And the council is taking other measures, too.
“Illegal camping has resulted in increased rubbish in bins, litter and greater use of public facilities, including showers and toilets,” it said.
Will cold showers keep illegal campers away? PIC: Taryn Elliott / Pexels
“The Town is addressing the issue through several measures, including daily rubbish collection, the addition of 660-litre bins ahead of summer, and regular monitoring by Rangers, including review of CCTV footage, who are issuing infringements under relevant local laws where applicable.”
However, the decision to turn off the hot water, in particular as sparked a significant level of community backlash, with the council Facebook page full of unhappy comments.
“Families, ratepayers, community groups and beachgoers all use these showers,” said one person. “You are punishing all people who peacefully enjoy city beach in a bid to deter a few campers.”
Another was upset that the homeless might be affected.
“Onya, Town of Cambridge,” he said. “Make life as hard and uncomfortable as possible for those who have nowhere to sleep but their vans and cars … young budget travellers and the poor are such an eyesore for the bourgeois aesthetic sensibilities of your ratepayers.”
And yet another beachgoer was simply upset at losing an important amenity.
“I swim year round in the ocean at city beach and the thought of a warm shower after a winter swim is something that I thoroughly look forward to,” they said.
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Ahhhh..! A nice COLD shower..
great to boost the body’s immune system..
As kids we grew up with no hot water showers..and all survived..!!
Ahh yes Pat from the Top End, that was us not the ones now, wrapped in cotton wool and bubble wrap
I note with amusement that you live in the top end.
It’s not cold up there!
Yep Eric..but I live and travel all over the continent..still always finish with a cold shower..!
Cheers.
All survived with cold showers, if you’re living in the top end showers would only be cold for about one month each year.
The Councils all over Australia, do everything in their power to take all and return nothing. they would rather upset the happy flow of the public lifestyle, than fix things around the town like bad footpaths and roads. Even when they are blatantly wrong, you can’t win they are untouchable.
I agree 100% that councils are, like all governments in Australia, concerned with the Golden Trough and keeping it full that is all that counts, not the happiness of residents or constituents.
I wonder how many of those are truly homeless with nothing!! That is not to say there is not a backpacker problem, but some would be homeless I am sure.
All levels off government are greedy! They don’t care about the people at all, unless it is election time, and then they only lie to get elected. As for the backpackers, they are only a problem when you squeeze them all into one area by making carparks illegal to stay in. This is only a new problem because the rich don’t want the average or poor people bloking there views in the morning when they wake up !
Councils can happily spend big $$$ on a skateboard park, water playground, free BBQs and green grass picnic areas.
But when some one wants to park somewhere for a night, then suddenly those facilities that are free for everyone during the day are locked and camping prohibited….
It is funny to me that on television they advertise to stop, revive, and survive when you are tired, ore it is better to crash in bed ! But when it comes down to it they all say not in our parking areas !! They also forget that these so called illegal campers actualy spend a lot of money in these towns.
Stop taking away people’s rights !!!!!
Spend a “lot of money”? Drawing a long bow there old son!
We are currently in a free camp made by Lions club, volunteers!!.. its 72 hrs limit, has flushing lovely clean rest rooms, bins provided a joy to stop for 3 days & rest…its 5.5km to the local town and we’ve driven out of our way to go back there and look around the town & spend money there..
We drove in and out of several coastal towns without spending a dime because their van parks were ridiculously priced!
There are many travellers doing the drive by of uppity coastal towns and going further in country to spend money in regional towns instead, because they’re a free camping or donation type options!
Maybe this is the intended idea of coastal towns to keep the plebs away from their precious luxurious lives, how lucky for them
You r so right steven and if u was a truck driver and your hours r up nobody can move u or that v
truck and if we r tired we should have the rite to stop anywhere so we dont kill ourselves or any body .
100% on the mark. Councils throughout Australia are take take take, never give.
Police the camping areas and see that they are kept tidy.
Supply large bins, welcome visitors as they spend in the towns close to the free parks.
Caravan park owners hate free sites, and are probably the silent rat in the cupboard.. Have a guess how much it is to stay in a caravan park overnight? Read the rules before you enter.
vote those Councilers out if they dont look after you !
“Hot Shower? That be luxury. In my day slept in the gutter and towelled down with sand paper” Apolls. To all the “Pythons”.
Sandpaper? You lucky bastard!
It’s always the councils in the wealthy suburbs making it difficult for travelers.
Perth really needs a low cost campground on the coast. Surely on of the local parks can become camper friendly.
If you want a hot shower after your swim then go home and have one. It’s not rocket surgery.
That’s very commudgeonly of you. Good luck with the surgery…have a laugh instead.
What a happy, caring camper.
Hot shower !!!!! ,, you were lucky ,, why in my day we used to get up half hour before going to bed and bath in bucket with nawt more than a teaspoon of water ,,, aye you were lucky
PS : I’m homeless and I’ve in my van with my dog “Mr Bojangles” ,, we free camp where we can , make no noise, leave no mess and often clean up after the locals have dumped their rubbish after a day in the park. It’s not nice to tar is all with the same brush. After all , we are humans (and dog) too
Well said.
Good on you.
Locals get off scot-free with the mess they make – and the poor old camper cops the lot.
To turn off the hot water is just a childish inconsiderate act. It doesn’t surprise me that some on the council would come up with an idea like that. We should be looking after those who are less fortunate than us not having a home to live in. Tipical council beaurocrats who don’t care about their dicissions and the impact it might have on people, except for their own ego’s and gratification.
Regards Colin
Here, here Colin
How about turning off the hot water after hours – would that be fairer to all?
True, councils exist to SERVE the people, not the other way around.
How true but they forget they are elected by the people ……..what do we need cou ncilor s for anyway just a wasted space on society
Council serve their rate payers. All.facilities in council areas is paid for by Ratepayers. Put in meters for water use so the free loaders can pay their way. Why should locals pay?
The issue of homelessness and the very visible reality of it is something that Australian society really wasn’t prepared for or able to adapt to. The homeless have to be somewhere, there is no short term solution that will work insofar as getting them out of the public eye. This is not the 1930’s and there will be no large “Grapes of Wrath” style accomodation camps. It’s public housing, affordable rent, or nothing. I feel for those in this position through no fault of their own, and am indifferent to those who arrived here through their own sloth, indolence and poor life choices.
Well said Paul and thank you for your honesty re this situation. I’m a homeless Pensioner in The Bay of Pleanty New Zealand.There are thousands of us here living from M park to m park either in vans, campers or cars on the road. Have tried to find affordable rentals, nothing suitable under $700. P.wk. We live in hope, but are up against the wealthy NIMBYS and have been forgotten about by successive Govts too. If we had a $Million dollars we can go on a waiting list to buy into the retirement villages being built by “The Wealthy Few ” So Inequality exists big time . I have sent letters to The Human Rights Commision on behalf of us and you all need to consider doing it too or NOTHING will change. Getting busy and put pressure on those who think homelessness cannot happen to them. From Lyn .
All that rubbish is bad. But it’s also from buying locally and helps the community. Adding camp hosts really helps the national parks, why not council areas too??
Councils should look to Carnarvon in WA . They have a huge low price camping area. This allows a few days to rest and sight see. Stock up on shopping and petrol. Also booked car in for a service. They open their arms to travellers as they realise how much money they bring into the community.
A few years back they thought about closing it down ,council thought it was a good idea to see just how much money is brought into the community by travellers. They had a letterbox asking for all receipts for purchases with in the community and guess what years later I returned to an improved camping are in that same spot .
Perth was the worst place for cheaper camping as I wanted to check out the town but they didn’t have any caravan parking close to the city so I could sight see. I looked at caravan parks and I couldn’t afford the prices they were asking . Needless to say I skipped Perth for another town and spent my money there instead.
Yes..I do think communities are not acknowledging the good that ‘ travellers’ bring to communities financially and service wise. They buy food and services from the community. That’s not rocket science. So why do I feel the need to point that out.
Most are conscious of keeping campsites clean. Placing bins there will keep that happening. Some are skilled, working travellers and provide services to areas short on skilled labour . So THAT’S a plus.
Then I discuss the plight of the homeless. I have camped along side these vehicle dwellers, who do so with limited resources, while engaging in casual employment to feed themselves and family. The people I witnessed were keeping campsites clean because they would have anyway, but also aware that if they didn’t they would be moved on. Whatever the motivation, they were responsible and personable to us.
It’s about sharing and caring and helping. Governments need to get the support people out there, and help the homeless to cope at a dignified and healthy level.
Negotiation and boundary setting is a delicate operation.
So all you in communities who have been quick to judge, visit those camps items and offer support and help.
You know how to be a good person.
As for the hot showers, get em installed, people want to be clean. It adds to their dignity.
I live in a small community with limited resources and it’s always the elderly volunteers are the ones that clean up the mess that travellers leave behind. You never see the younger folks volunteer to clean up.
Does the shire of cambridge have a low cost camping ground/caravan parrk. I dont think so. Its time they did to help the housing shortage. Yep, if youve got money all types of govt want it even if youve got none.
A knee jerk reaction without careful consideration as to who it affects. The homeless that use these facilities are refugees in their own country. We have people that work, send their kids to school and are forced to live in their cars. So we also deny the ratepayers a hot shower in the facilities that they pay for when they go to the beach to deter these vulnerable people. Sounds like a lose lose solution to me.
Councils & caravan parks run their own protection racket. Parks complain about free camps taking business away so the councils help out by shutting down the free camps. Then the parks install cabin after cabin leaving less sites for RV’s yet show no concern about the business they have stolen from local motels. My suggestion to local businesses who scratch their heads as to why the tourists no longer stop… go see your local council & caravan park.
As a previous comment said, govts then promote the “Stop & revive” campaign yet where do we nomads do that when the councils have shut the rest areas? The vicious circle just keeps on going round & round & where we get off nobody knows.
Why would they have hot showers etc available to campers, if they don’t want them camping there. Only encourages them. A cold shwr in summer would be very nice, after the heat of the day. Remember they spend dollars in town. But do be vigilant re rubbish removal etc. Otherwise have enough bins around..
At the moment people are homeless.
This never should have happened.
Have some compassion!
It doesn’t sound like this council wants visitors. That’s the ok there are plenty of other places in Oz where r travellers are welcome. As for hot showers I have my own in the van.
I’m a pensioner and can’t afford to fix my hot water system.
So I have a quick cold shower or wash with a bucket and hot water.
The government is cutting back on spending money which is actually helping people in need.
Carpet bombing. Punish everyone.
It’s a pity that to become a councillor you had to be homeless for twelve months aand learn what is happening around the country instead of your shinny arse jobs as public servants and business men …..go get a life and see how other people live …..their should be no councillors and the city’s and towns run by a ceo elected every three years by the people of the area
There’s nothing wrong with an invigorating cold shower.
On a recent 3 month long Winter trip around Outback NSW, the morning temperatures got down as low as -2 degrees.
We waited until mid-afternoon to have a cold shower if it was available in a location that we were staying at.
If you want a regular hot shower, stay at home.
How sick. How could you you inhumane council people
This is wrong in so many ways, to the rate payers, families, community groups and the homeless. Being homeless is tough, it’s hard, it is a battle every day, why would you take a warm shower from someone who has no home?
Hervey Bay council has 4 caravan parks run by the council all set up to cater for the tourist and nothing for the needy ,as of February 25 all going up to a minimum $385/week plus an extra $20/day for peak periods, how can a single person on a pension survive. Greedy nothing for the one’s struggling to survive, how about one of them catering for the locals and needy, so much for housing shortages!
Hello, I would like to remind the Cambridge Council that by turning off the hot water in the showers is going too far, very inhumane. Australia is in a housing crisis, not to mention economic, financial and inflation ! Changing all the public showers at a beach will not deter most people. Unfortunately, illegal campers do not have a choice, they are just trying to survive this housing and economic CRISIS. The council needs to realise that these are real people, who are struggling like all of us in this housing crisis.
The Cambridge Council should provide food for these people as well as hot showers.
How many of the “council kockers” have actually been on council ???
Public amenities are just that..
I don’t mind cold showers when camping.
There was one place we stayed at where they had hot showers, and there were children mucking about saying that we are going to use the showers till all the hot water runs out.
This was in a National park where we paid money for.
Go to Burleigh Heads. You have a choice. Either pay $70 a night or park outside in the free Council car park in your camper van or winnebago, and go into the council owned caravan park next door to use their amenities for free. Know what I’ll be doing. Free camping with privileges!
Illegal campers can go to hell. Homeless get showers at certain venues so there is no need for warm showers for a bunch of free loaders
Councils have been dancing to the tune of the Agenda 21 / 30 World Economic Forum for decades.
They don’t want people living on boats or in caravans, or cars.
Yes, you can survive a cold shower, but it’s not always a pleasure….! RS
Illegal ….im sick to death of hearing that word…council’s need to be rained in . Power has gone to their head’s and they seem to be answerable to no one
I live in the Town of Cambridge, just up from the beach, and am angry and disgusted that our council would turn off the hot water to deter campers. Many residents feel the same way and the council is receiving a huge backlash over this issue. I would hope we could welcome people to this beautiful coast line – and offer toilet facilities and hot showers to anyone sleeping, living, or having a holiday in their vehicle.
City Beach. Leafy Western suburbs of Perth
Yes, that sounds like a nasty move to push residents against travellers (who contribute to YOUR TOURISM economy by the way,suppirtibg local businesses) & homeless people just trying to keep some semblance of normalcy & personal decency in their wretched lives, way to go greedy council, that 3rd tier of government we all vote NO to TWICE!