Opposition to plans to raise camping fees in NSW national parks, and the affordability of the caravanning lifestyle in general, is ramping up.
As many grey nomads are already all too well aware, in some cases, the cost of sleeping over a patch of dirt can be comparable to renting a house.
Traveller and filmmaker, Mike Atkinson (aka Outback Mike), has ramped up the pressure over the NSW national parks proposal to increase that could see the rate for some campgrounds climb to as much as $97 a night or $679 a week.
By way of comparison, media reports show the average rent in Adelaide is $550 a week for a three-bedroom home, $550 in Melbourne, $635 in Brisbane, $630 in Darwin, and $518 in Hobart. Only Sydney’s average weekly rent price of $760 would be higher than the cost of some campsites.
'Yikes! Maybe I'll rent a holiday cottage instead!' PIC: Cizza
In a social media post made from the Woody Head Camping Area in the Bundjalung National Park on the NSW North Coast, Mr Atkison pointed out the illogicality of the proposed hikes.
“You can rent a three-bedroom house (down the road) with garage for $600, so it’s almost $100 cheaper to rent a three-bedroom house with garage outside the park, as opposed to a small patch of grass here in the park,” he said in his video. “I counted 89 campsites on this map, that is revenue raising of $55,000 a week just for this campground, excluding the money that they make from cabins.”
The NSW’s government proposed fee structure categorises campsites into six tiers based on facilities, with charges ranging from $22 to $89 per night during high season.
Additionally, fees will be linked to the consumer price index, ensuring annual increases, and seasonal pricing will apply.
Opposition politicians have also jumped on the issue, with the NSW Nationals supporting an ePetition opposing the hikes being brought to Parliament.
Nationals MLC Scott Barrett, who brought the petition forward, said national parks should be more accessible for everyone.
“This proposal will put camping out of reach for many families and that’s why I believe it’s important to support Outback Mike with this petition,” Mr Barrett said. “Some of my favourite moments have been spent with my family in our state’s iconic national parks and limiting those experiences for other families based on cost is extremely frustrating.”
As well as opposing the proposed pricing changes, the ePetition also calls for better government funding of national parks, and for an increase the number of campsites commensurate with park visitation.
The petition, which is open until August 21, can be viewed here.
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Absolutely disgusting….
Obviously these “people” in office don’t go camping and are trying to justify why they have their job
I’ve always thought they don’t really want people in the parks at all..??
Meanwhile..all the feral animals run free causing havoc, destruction and diseases to our native flora and fauna.
NPWS are intent on keeping it pristine (no usage) for “future generations”.
Just tell every not to camp at the national parks. I that happened then they would have no income at all.
Correct Glenn, just don’t camp there.
They will still be paid by Tax payers.
An ABC Radio National segment was about this story about a month ago. The petition according to a head ranger – who was being interviewed as an expert – found it to be misleading and biased in a manner that assumes prices will increase. In fact the senior ranger pointed out that nearly all of the national parks where in fact free before Covid and that the government has been looking for a way to charge for National parks ever since, introducing a $6 fee for everywhere. As logging disappears it is feared that State forests will become National parks and you will HAVE to pay to camp anywhere in the bush. Fill out the petition and COMMENT at the end that “why should we now pay for outdoor recreation that we have already paid for in taxes and most of these parks were FREE before Covid”. Covid has gone, so why are you pushing to not only keep prices but increase them way above inflation.