An apparent surge in illegal camping at a popular West Australian tourist destination will see a new approach being taken to clamping down on the practice.
The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River says next summer it will move towards a more co-ordinated approach with WA’s Parks and Wildlife Service.
The Augusta Margaret River Times reports that an influx of people over summer saw a rise in complaints about littering, public defecation and fire risk. It was also revealed that less than 10% of ranger interactions resulted in fines being issued.
Shire chief executive Andrea Selvey told the newspaper that the challenge of ‘peak season’ visitation was shared with Parks and Wildlife’s umbrella organisation, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
'No Camping' signs have become an increasingly familiar sight in many regional communities. PIC: Cizza
“DBCA faces similar peak-season challenges as the Shire — managing larger areas, multiple responsibilities and limited resources,” Ms Selvey said. “To protect our region’s unique environment, we’re working more closely with DBCA, and plan to co-ordinate our response to peak season in future.”
She said the shire was engaging with the community to identify measures to address illegal camping and increased day use at popular sites.
A DBCA spokesperson told the Augusta Margaret River Times said the department would continue to work closely with stakeholders like the shire to strike the right balance between welcoming visitors, keeping them safe, and protecting the region’s environmental and cultural values.
“Ahead of the 2025-26 peak visitation season, DBCA will continue to identify and implement compliance priorities and strategies, including focusing on illegal camping hotspots, co-ordinating efforts with local government, and disrupting large-scale illegal gatherings in collaboration with WA Police,” they said.
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If you have no money deposit for house $100,000 what to do. Silver hair WA brigade paid maybe 5,000 for block. Stop complaining and let’s all young people buy the dream we had and could do . Selfish 55’s plus .
Are you for real……..!
Funny you should say this when the fastest growing homeless demographic is women over 50…and that is in 2025!
Relative— in 1977 when the blocks were $5000 I earned $24 a fortnight !!!
I don’t think so. In 1978 I had one of the lowest paid jobs, washing cars in a car yard. I still got $90 per week clear.
Yes, but that $5000 was 4 years wages not 3 weeks wages as now…
A car cost two years wages back then. A tv two months wages. I got not $5k for having a kid, no maternity leave, no cheap child care, no first home buyers grant. We lay by (heard of that?) Drove a bomb, ate out once a week. Selfish, pffff
How about a “social credits” system. It works in China where the gov’t deems your worthiness and dis/allows many activities including travel, dependent on how well you conform to the demands of said gov’t. Behave as a meek and mild citizen and you can share some or all of the bonuses available. What a “dream society”!
Dont be fooled/brainwashed by the Elitists agenda. They dont care if you are a “good” citizen, they just want to control you.
Tourists “piss off!”
The place will die without tourists!
They have one thing in common .they are all surfers .interstate being members of albos surf team and the rest overseas backpackers who do seem to work .with onset of winter up to redbluff and exmouth they go back down in summer .either cater for them or move on because every year the numbers double. Ando
Give them somewhere to stay with facilities for a reasonable fee to cover costs,this will minimise the need for enforcement or do the fines pay for the cleaners,coffee and bickies at the shire office?
Leave only footprints
I agree with you
I agree, Margaret River town is surrounded by acres of empty farms. Let the farmers build basic facilities & charge basic fees and problem solved…
Yep
Spot on Waz
Provide cheap non profit shire run caravan parks that allow pets and residents travellers who can prove they cant afford accomodation .
Ann comino age 78
Leave the place the way you found it and there wouldn’t be a problem. It’s not hard!
Build toilets, allow overnight parking (not tents) and charge a fair overnight parking fee with a limit of 2-3 nights maximum in any location. Treat your tourists as valued visitors, not pests!
We’re travelling South Australia, and the small community towns provide fabulous RV sites, for minimal or no cost. Those that have facilities are fantastic. All run by volunteers.
Most people do leave a donation
We’re in Kimba at the moment, on a park by the footie club, there is a massive camp kitchen, 2 toilet blocks, $1 for a shower. BBQs This is provided by the Shire.
Also stopping on caravan sites is no more than $35 a night, some much less.
WA could learn a lot.
Its time that cheaper clean and simple long term accommodation is provided rather than more luxury resort style accommodation. This enables the “average” person, backpacker etc to be able to pay for accommodation. It’s also a shame that a minority of campers are not respecting this great spot and wrecking it for everyone else. Rather than fines make the culprits do a clean up of the effected areas. This may help them to appreciate the opportunity they have in travelling this great place.
All the space in the world. Dumb councils, allocate space, Toilets,showers bbq. $5 per night,3 night max. Wheelclamp nomcompliance.
Free loaders are a problem everywhere they go. Especially these youtube families from the east.
If local councils are not managing this issue yes imagine this problem double every year!!
My wife and I have travelled over Australia most towns have a caravan park and it is usually at the town oval. All the ablutions are there a small fee and you can stay for a couple of days. The shire of Margs should have a cheap camp area.
People who camp illegally should be encouraged to go to the cheap council park or face a fine