There’s no doubting the power of dump points as a way of attracting grey nomads, and the Victorian town of Swan Hill is well and truly on board with the concept.
Swan Hill Rural City Council has just finished installing two new dump points, which are now ready for use and are offered as a free service to travellers in caravans, campers, and motorhomes.
Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Scott Barber, said disposing of this kind of waste at a dump point was the most environmentally friendly way to do it.
“We welcome many RV travellers to our region, and we’re pleased to offer the infrastructure that allows campers to dispose of their grey and black water that’s both eco-conscious and convenient,” he said.
'If we install it, they will come.' PIC: Swan Hill Rural City Council
“The community have advocated for dump points to be installed at both sites for some time, and we’re pleased to have these facilities ready for use prior to the busy summer-season ahead.”
The new facilities are at the Swan Hill southern entrance toilet block, and at the Gray Park public toilets on Marraboor Street, Lake Boga.
Mr Barber said easy access was a priority when selecting the location of both facilities.
“The previous dump point in Swan Hill, located at the Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve, was often difficult for travellers to access, especially during events such as football matches or the Swan Hill Show,” he said. “The new site, located at the southern entrance of Swan Hill, will offer convenient 24/7 access for travellers.”
Mr Barber said that the Lake Boga location was strategically chosen to encourage travellers to visit the township, with the aim of supporting local businesses.
The new dump points are available 24/7 and add to the public, council-managed facilities at Manangatang, Robinvale, and Nyah. Fresh water is also available at all sites.
The dump point currently located at the Swan Hill Showgrounds Recreation Reserve will be decommissioned over the coming weeks.
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Extremely important,, I always try to stay and spend in any place that offer this service
A dump point is well received at any location. Staying in and around the area made more appealing and returning is assured
Yes it is a consideration when I need to use a dump point, I would be looking in the direction I am traveling to see which towns have them and head that way, so in conclusion if a town doesn’t have 1 i am likely to not go to that town at that time of need
Dump points are extremely important on our travels but we’re ”dump & go” people.
We dump & then head straight out into the bush again to camp by ourselves.
Thus contributing absolutely nothing to the community that paid to install them.
Well said Andrew
Better than their daggy alternate method i.e. Dump in the bush at ground level and leave for nature to dispose of eventually. They will eventually have to buy stuff somewhere.
Extremely important. The WA government should learn a lesson from other states and look after travellers.
Unless it is in the city they don’t want to know about it. There is an extreme shortage of dump points in country WA?
Really, there are no dump points at all in metro WA, AND about 500 public dump points in country WA.
Ultra important… we always plan where we are staying by working out where public dump points are & stay in the town for several days exploring the local area & food beverage offerings to help the economy & help cover their costs for putting in these essential facilities for we travellers
Whenever we travel I’m always aware of where the dump points are.
And also where town water is supplied to RV travelers. Not necessarily FOC either.
For heaven sake. They are 20 years and thousands of dump points too late. This is 2024 when there are more towhs with dump points than without and almost without exception they are free.
I’ll be interested to see where the potable water taps are relative to the actual dump point washout tap.
Dump points are extremely important to us. We stay n spend money in towns that have one.
bendigo in Victoria for example it was pay for dump point or use at showgrounds. The showgrounds dump point was overflowing, it was a disgusting disgrace . We drove further north and found one
Ballarat has no public dump point!
Well done Swan Hill Council. Wish there was more forward thinking councils around
I agree. It entices people, to come to the towns, even if like I am at the moment free camping. But we have been to the hotel, for dinner, spent at least $300 in the local IGA Store. This is money they would never have otherwise seen. Always try to contribute in some way to the towns we stay in.
Dump points are important, but equally so is the placement of them. Ease of access, parking and potable water are also desirable aspects. Two good examples are Winton, QLD and Longreach, QLD. These dump points are off the main road, with adequate parking and within a short walk of the main shopping areas. Winton even has a large roofed area for big-rig parking.
Winton is exceptionally thoughtful and considerate of travellers needs. Potable water, accessible dump point, showers at information centre. Thank you Winton.
Pro active council/shire, well done
Dump points are very important to us travelers. Planning and placement is critically important. Accessibility for big rigs and also ease of use for gravity drop through tanks. Not everyone has a removable cassette. Some dump points are excellent such as Mareeba Qld. Others are impossible to reach, set up a pathway in an elevated garden setting such as My Isa.
I think all towns should provide this facility for caravaners.
Will definitely stay there.
York shire has dump sites. The next shire is Toodyay with no dump sites? No free camping. Swan Shire has no dump sites or free camping. Get your act together
WA is the most disgusting place re dump points. They love the Grey Nomad $ but do very little to encourage GNs to stay nor come back. So, if anyone in WA reads this, a change of government attitude is needed at all levels. I was dissapointed 10 years ago and by the comments, its still the same, probably worse. Shame on you WA gov.
10 years ago is a long time! Whilst WA is by no means perfect, there are many dump points and toilet facilities along the major roads, particularly at overnight rest areas. Many of the country towns also offer dump points and of course the vast majority of caravan parks but these you have to pay for.
Good on you Swan Hill for installing the dump Points. Hopefully council did their homework and installed a water tap and a short hose for rising things down and keeping the site clean. (I couldn’t see a tap in the photo) 🙂
Great news for travelers with the additional 2 dump points but not so good for those who stay at showgrounds. Why decommission the one at the showgrounds?
Good on you Swan Hill council that will help get caravaners to your town,can your people talk to our people at the Ballarat Council and tell them what a good idea it is to draw caravaners to the town and supply a free dump point and not have to go to a caravan park and pay to empty.
Why’d some service stations have two or more dump points somewhere ez to use