As more and more grey nomads hit the road in self-contained rigs, the demand for dump points has never been greater.
However, installing the infrastructure is only half of the battle, it’s a matter of installing it in the right place.
In Queensland, Bundaberg Regional Council has just relocated its facility due to accessibility issues with the previous dump point.
It had been located near the bulk water fill station, which meant access was limited due to sharing the area with heavy vehicles.
The council says the caravan waste dump point is now at Gin Gin Creek rest area in a ‘safe and convenient position available for community and traveller use’.
Many councils now put dump points on the edge of town in an accessible spot. PIC: Cizza
The project included the installation of a new potable water supply, caravan waste point and an upgrade to the roadways in the area.
It’s certainly not the first time a dump point has been installed, only for it to be realised that it perhaps wasn’t put in the best place, after all.
A few years ago, a dump point on James St in the Queensland town of Mareeba was removed, apparently over concerns over the environmental health implications and a perceived potential impact on property prices. Among other issues, nearby residents said the dump point had been placed too close to a walking track used by children.
While it is perhaps understandable that people would prefer not to have a dump point located near to their house, many councils are finding suitable location on the edge of towns with good access … and there is a general acknowledgement that attracting grey nomads to stay near a town has significant economic benefits.
Some caravan parks, of course, are also prepared to have ‘non-guests’ use their dump point for a fee. Interestingly, while some caravanners and motorhomers apparently baulk at the idea of having to pay to use a dump point, they are normally happy to make a ‘contribution’ if the money is going to a charity or a worthwhile cause.
Some time back, the showground in the New South Wales town of Tenterfield handed over nearly $500 to the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter, courtesy of travellers donating $4 every time they used the dump point. Apparently, the same caravanners and motorhomers who had baulked at ‘paying’ a fee were more than happy to make a donation to a good cause.
And then the Collie River Valley Tourist Park in Western Australia donated $1,000 to the Shire of Collie Bushfire Brigades. The money came from visitors who were asked to make a $5 donation when using the RV dump point.
And beyond local councils and caravan parks, there has also been a growing trend towards new service centres recognising the needs of caravanners and motorhomers.
A $15m service station at Nuriootpa in South Australia’s Barossa Valley is a case in point. The facility, built in 2021, included a dump point, an electric vehicle charging station and a picnic area… as well as a car, truck and dog wash, fuel bowsers, and fast-food outlets.
And the previous year, a giant new Mobil-branded Highway Service Centre opened at Coolac in New South Wales and it also put RV users front and centre of its plans. It boasts a free dump point for travellers, as well as a public laundry, ample parking for caravans and trailers, and a dog walking park.
“There is a changing pattern to regional travel with more and more people taking to the roads with their caravans and motorhomes,” Developers’ Representative, Ian Farrar, said at the time. “What we knew as ‘truck stops’ are developing and need to cater for a broader customer base of recreational travellers.”
He said that it was being acknowledged that with more people away from their home bases for extended periods, highway service centre developers needed to do more meet the needs of these customers.
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We have a large van with a 160litre black tank so we need to park beside the dump point to empty the tank. Many times we have found that the dump point is raised above ground level and higher than our black tank outlet, so the dump point is useless as far as we’re concerned. I have found a lot of people with large vans and motorhomes have the same problem. I have also found points behind poles or fences that prevent us from parking close enough to reach with our black drain hose.
Well if you can afford these fancy hig price Carravans / Motor Homes then you can afford to buy a LONGER BLACK WATER HOSE ( but hold you Noses every One around ) but seriously yes more thought should be put into these provided Dump Points ETC, & yes these Truck Stops / Service Centers / FUEL CENTERS, should ensure thay cater for both general cAR / Vehicle travelers & Caravan Travelers & definitely Tuck Drivers, we all need to be able to secure a safe and easy Vehicle Parking spot at these Service Centers, who are whilst spending large amount of Money to build these Centers are alos Making Large amount of money off the othere Food Services like the Mac’Donalds / Hunger Jacks / Subway ETC , ETC, ETC, and many more. I do not like tsking up a Truck Parking Spot at these Establishments, but out of necessity, I have no Choice as Iam yet to find any of these SERVICE caenters with Parking nominated ad Caravan Parking, why even to take on more Fuel when Towing a Caravan and going into these Service Centers, it can be very difficult to then manouver out of from the Fuel Pumps of these Service Centers. it appears the Designers of these Service Centers need to take a hard look at just how much turning circle is required to depart a FUEL PUMP when Towing a Caravan, when Yiu need to Fuel up with Petrol & not Just Diesel. so yes let the designers get this corrected.
People with big tanks and hoses that don’t macerate also tend to block the dump points in my experience. Causing expensive plumbing work. I use a simple macerator pump so my waste is slurry. Also only needing a small pipe instead of those big expensive tops.
All dump points are above ground level.
All you need to do is connect up, empty what will flow by gravity and then “walk” the remainder through by raising the hose. Simple!
It could be that they are raised above ground level to prevent storm water from entering. But I imagine having them raised would be a lot easier on my back while emptying the cassette.
But seriously as long as it is below the level in the tank it will drain and if the end of the hose is below the tank outlet the rest should syphon out. Otherwise invest in a pump and a longer hose.
The mindset of some grey nomads. So many invest hundreds of thousands in their rig then bitch about simple costs. I am grateful when councils provide these facilities… and it is in their interrest to do so, bringing people to their towns and spending. Still, sometimes there is a cost and it’s not obvious how anyone but the ‘dumpers’ will benefit. I have paid van parks to allow dumping. I have also paid for water fill… at Fitzroy Crossing and somewhere else… it escapes me. I witnessed 2 others refusing the $10 at Fitzroy Crossing saying they refuse to pay for water. So far in about 70,000 kms of travel I have paid $20 for water and probably $30 for dumping fees. Unless it becomes a universal thing to charge, I don’t see it as an issue.
I agree with your comments. I bet there would be a number of travellers who would not make the charity donation as that is their mindset – pay for nothing at all costs. I have witnessed travellers ignoring honesty boxes (at camp sites and national parks) on a number of occasions which is a sad reflection on our society. ‘User pays’ is a fair and reasonable principle; it should not be up to local rate payers and tax payers to subsidise our travels.
One big advantage of using Wikicamps, you can choose to bypass anything has a cost associated with it. Camping, parking or dump point, just keep going to the next place.
last time in Coober Peady I think it was 50c for about 100 lts of water so not a big cost
The big issue is that more often than not those installing DPs aren’t RVers. Or RVers with limited experience with what is required. As self contained grows so will the number of RVs with larger black tanks increase. The onus is on those installing DPs to ensure they are fit for purpose. I was heavily involved in the early years of installing DPs. I could tell many stories about DPs that were installed in places that were simply unsuitable. A 25ft motorhome isn’t a big rig. A 40ft motorhome towing is a big rig especially when it’s stuck up a narrow dead end side street!
Fees for use? “Free” camping doesn’t mean not paying your way.
They don’t charge to use public toilets so why are they asking people to pay ( through donations) to dump there load?
This will turn dirty if they try and make money out of it.
Agree that as there’s no charge to go to public toilets why should there be a charge for a council dump point?
Do you really begrudge them from getting a benefit for providing you with a service which is an ongoing cost to them. Don’t be a Karen.
Dennis I am entitled to an opinion the same as you are. I don’t need to be insulted by you for having that opinion.
Perhaps a bit more tolerance from you for other people’s opinions wouldn’t go astray.
End of discussion thank you.
The Councils are not making money out of charging for camp sites, dump points etc.; they are merely trying to cover some of the costs of providing such facilities thus relieving the pressure on local rate payers. These facilities require a capital outlay and ongoing cleaning and maintenance.
Councils have enormous pressure on their budgets to provide more and more services; they cannot expect rate payers to keep putting their hands in their pockets.
USER PAYS is the way forward, so get used to it otherwise you will be passing many towns if you are not prepared to make a contribution.
Always be free….more than happy to make a donation.
There are some idiots in councils who have been charged with the job of designing dump points and have done so to the worst of their ability. Equally culpable is the cmca who have obviously given no guidance to those they donate money to.
As for paying? Who pays for using public toilets? Who pays to use street rubbish bins? Nobody! Right, so why expect payment to use a dump point.
Not all DPs are associated with the CMCA. I know for a fact that council works read then ignore the CMCAs guidance.
I also know that the CMCA donated then “lost” a number of DPs.
Everyone needs to take a deep breath and remember the days without DPs. A bad DP is better than no DP.
If the donation is going to a good cause $4 or $5 is not unreasonable, for people who just want to use a private dump point.
Put them in parks or all rest stops.
I found out recently, you can use any caravan park dump points, for $4. And water also for $5. Once I rang local council, to ask if I can hook up to the water in the skating park? The council said ” I can see no reason why not” you’ll never know if you don’t ask? The rest stops SHOULD have dump points, easier to get close, and empty any time you are on the road…simple 🙂
Parking caravan and big rigs areas are lacking in some towns? So, we can stop and have a look around the town, and spend money. To have a look around and shopping, I have had to disconnect my van to replenish supplied? Just a thought..and the area should say big rig/caravan space. I have seen cars parked in these spaces in big servo centres. Now that’s annoying for all rigs
I generally park in a side street, go to the supermarket and ask the checkout chick if I can leave my purchases there go get the van, double park outside the store and then retrieve my goods. Never had a refusal yet. Being polite is the key and invoking pity for the frail octogenarian probably helps too. And only double parking a few minutes doesn’t really inconvenience anyone.
If a donation becomes the standard does that mean we go back to the old days and have to pay for the use of a public toilet, more councils need to install dump points as it brings tourists into the town. We just spent 6 days in Mansfield Vic free camping and spent over $400 in town and no dump point to be found..
Victoria is the worst state for dump point availability. Especially around Melbourne, there is no “public Dump Point” between Altona (a bus dump point in a servo on the ring road) and Neerim South in Gippsland. I rang Cardinia Council to enquire why there is no dump point in their area and was asked “what is a dump point?” No idea!!! Recently we were in Ocean Grove and went to their public dump point to find it was gone. Now the only ones available are in the caravan parks down there. Who can afford their rates??? We are fully self contained and love free and low cost camps, can’t stand cramped conditions in caravan parks. If areas want caravanners to come and spend dollars they need to provide services or we will go where the services are and spend our dollars there.
Dump point. I empty my cassette every 2 days. So, it will cost me $35 a fortnight! NO!
Dump points should have a concave base not a flat base. If this comes in , people will dump in the bush.
For those who object to paying to use a dump point, think about the cost of a plumber who has to be called everytime there is a blockage in the system due to fools using and dumping the so called flushable wipes. These wipes are flushable, BUT they definitely DO NOT compost as toilet paper breaks down and composts.
Go compost toilet and say goodbye to dumping every three days!
I would be happy to pay $5 to empty the cassette thats what I was paying at the Big4 in Bendigo some one has to maintain it and it’s such a small price for the convenience I cannot understand the mindset of some that want it all for nothing or else where do they dump it in the bush?? come on $5 !!
To be honest I’m sick of hearing people whinge and whine about having to pay to use a dump point. These are the same clown suits who refuse to make a donation to use a free camp. No-one makes money out of this. It goes to keep the camp and facilities clean and tidy. They also stay in a free camp for weeks when it clearly states 2 or 3 night stay and don’t pay a cent. To many people want a free ride these days. If you can’t afford a couple of $ to dump your crap, stay at home.
Dump Points should be free due to health requirements
palachook grabs the huge stamp duty and GST from us . Spend it wisely We don’t need more spin doctors
Why not just deposit your waste into a public toilet pan if no dump point is available?
Would you allow someone to do it in your home toilet?
Yes
If they had good eyesight, yes.
Victoria has few dump points and some have closed like the Kyneton dump point which was locked up in early January.
In Mareeba they relocated the dump point. It has good access, over the road is the leagues club park and behind it is a large fenced dog run. If you get there at the right time(December) there are also several humungous mango trees, so help yourself.
Should a local council owned and operated caravan park charge local rate payers to use a dump point located in the caravan park ?
If dump points aren’t free, I fear some will start to dump in the bush which is highly toxic to plants, animals and humans.
I agree with other comments that no-one does or should have to pay for using public toilets or rubbish bins while visiting a town and have also considered it the “swaggy’s right” to camp on the edge of town or have access to drinking water. The alternative is that if they are not available then people will just dump it which will create a health hazard, while I am not in agreement with this action it is a fact of human nature.
Usually a visit to a dump spot is preplanned along with a stop for groceries and fuel which benefits the community and helps provide local jobs, this escalates by word of mouth recommendations of good friendly towns. Too many are of the opinion that if you are travelling you have plenty of money.
We have a class C motorhome with only a small black water tank that requires emptying every 4 days at a push, so a dump point for us is really important. We find ourselves using caravan parks when away because it makes it easier to find a dump point. But what puzzles us is there are no public dump points in Gippsland all the way down the Hwy from the boarder to the other side of Melbourne which is very absurd. One could be put at the parking rest stop at Drouin on the M1 Hwy. It’s rather a large stop rest area and could be a great asset for the community and for travellers along the M1 in West Gippsland Victoria. It’s both a truck and public rest area, off the road and has enough seperate parking with good access. And excellent lighting at night as well. I think it would be a good idea and would solve a dump point problem on this south east side of Melbourne .