Pay if you want to! Is this the future of camping?

Published: November 15, 2021

A Tasmanian council is considering introducing a ‘pay-if-you-want-to’ concept to a popular camping area.

The campsite at Derby Park near Derby in Tassie’s northeast has traditionally been free, but Dorset Council is looking at a slight change in approach.

At its next council meeting, it will decide whether to implement a system that would include a machine similar to a parking meter. Those who were willing to pay would display a ticket for the number of nights they wish to stay and those who didn’t want to, would not be required to do so.

The Examiner newspaper reports that signage displayed would highlight that the funds would be going directly back into the community in the form of maintenance for the popular bike trails, which have become a tourist hot spot for Derby.

The council meeting agenda states that ‘the signage is critical in explaining the concept – that camping fees are reinvested directly back into the trails and not back into council consolidated income’.

The Examiner reports that the model to be considered by council relies on the goodwill of those using the camping grounds, with the recommendation noting that campers are a large part of the community and ‘add to the vibe and feel of Derby’.

The council recently canvassed the opinion of campers to see how they felt about the idea. It spoke to about 60 campers who were using the campground during the October school holidays. The council said the idea had received positive support, with feedback indicating that the optimum price point would be $20 per night.

The Examiner reports that the proposal is only being considered for Derby at this stage, but if successful it may be extended to other camping areas in the Dorset Council area once a new amenities block has been commissioned, which is expected in late 2022.

The outcome of the recommendation is set to be voted on at the Dorset Council meeting on Monday.

6 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Loved that area and intend going back for longer next time. The only thing that would hold us back is the lack of a dump point, Nearest one is over 30 km away. Would be happy to pay a reasonable fee otherwise.

I think if there a toilets and other facilities provided the fee is fair and add a code locking system on the facilities so when you pay you get a msg. with the code

The access code for paying campers is a good idea as it will give those who willingly assist in maintaining these sites. Of course there will be some abuse by the tightwads who will tailgate into coded areas and not pay, however, hopefully this will be the minority and responsible campers will assist in policing the “rules”.
Lets face it it costs considerable amounts for Councils to maintain these areas for the comfort of travelers and a small donation goes a long way in assistance to keep them open.
The one in Kingston SE is by credit card payment to a machine and gives two nights stay for $10.00 (minimum payment. Ranger comes each morning, early, to catch those not paying. This is a good site where water and toilets are available in park adjacent and only a stroll to the business area.

Ah , yes what a fantastic idea.. We have had those over here for a good while now and they are called DONATION CAMPSITES . And we all know how well they work.. I have watched as people have camped the night, filled their water tanks ( next to the sign that says kettles only please ) dumped the contents of the toilet cassette down the campsite toilet had a good hot shower and then drive past the DONATION BOX..on their way to the next mooching point they can find… Is it not worth paying $10 dollars.. Some travellers ” Doing the lap ” know they will not be coming back this way and do not give a damn what they leave behind..

Exactly right …people can afford $100,000 for a rig but never find $10 to pay for camping

great idea

Related Content

ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop