One of the most grey nomad friendly mayors in the country is continuing his campaign to encourage more self-contained travellers to free camp in Gunnedah and enjoy the many delights of the area.
With RV campers allowed to park up on the southern side of the Namoi River closest to the NSW town, Gunnedah Shire mayor, Owen Hasler, has expressed his ‘surprise’ that antiquated regulations are preventing them from doing the same on the northern side.
And he’s doing something about it.
Work had already been undertaken to rehabilitate the southern area so that grey nomads and other RVers could use it, but Local Land Service (LLS) rangers then began moving on the same campers the area was designed for.
The mayor says the LLS rangers were enforcing an old law which made it illegal to camp on such Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs), despite the fact many are hardly used by stock these days.
“We were informed that the policy relating to the use of TSRs was being reviewed, apparently the first time since before World War II – some 75 years ago!” said Cr Hasler in an open letter to the Naomi Valley Independent, and he is now campaigning for the government to allow the use of such little used TSRs for recreational camping.
“Many of them are located alongside rivers such as the Namoi and contain remnant forest areas,” he said. “As such, they are attractive places to enjoy a brief stay and experience the rural environment.”
The mayor has suggested such stays be limited to three days stays to prevent long-term camping at spots with limited, or no, facilities.
“Such use of TSR sites encourages visitors who are looking for ‘free camping’ sites to stay in our shire and frequent our community and shops,” he said. “When such camping did take place many people were seen walking down Chandos Street and across Cohens Bridge laden with shopping bags!”
Other groups and councils are now also pressing for similar changes, and the government response is eagerly anticipated.
“We await with interest the outcome,” said Cr Hasler. “But we are confident that we will see RVs frequenting the northern side of the Namoi River in the foreseeable future.”
Here we go again. The stock routes have been there as the article states, since WW2. Leave them be. If self contained travellers use these routes to travel, what is wrong with it? Why are government agencies such as LLS so hell bent on big brother tactics to stop travellers from using them. WHY?
Perhaps because they are enforcing the law that applies to the TSRs.
Now I agree that the law should be removed or amended to allow short term camping. However don’t get angry with the staff who enforce these regulations. If you have an encounter with these people you should remember that they might have the power to fine, confiscate, or in some other manner make your stay expensive and unpleasant. Engaging peple in a friendly manner is more likely to get what you want.