Another West Australian regional area is to trial free short-term camping site for grey nomads and others travelling in self-contained RVs.
The 12-month trial will start in March and a limited number of bays will be made available for up to 48 hours at Australind, Brunswick, Harvey and Yarloop.
Shire of Harvey President Paul Gillett said the trial would focus on attracting the RV travellers that continue to bypass the region as a stopover as they travel to other areas that do offer free RV short-stay options.
“The introduction of an RV Friendly Trial seeks to maximise sustainable economic benefits from RV Tourism through increasing visitation numbers, increasing spending and extending the length of stay of RV travellers in the Harvey Region”, Cr Gillett said. “The trial will be closely monitored by Shire officers with an initial review due back to council after six months.”.
New short-stay RV stops are to be trialled. PIC: Shire of Harvey
He stressed that the facility would not be available to travellers who were not in the right sort of vehicle.
“The trial only allows for self-contained RVs defined as motorised camping vehicles with internal sleeping accommodation, internal kitchen and dining facilities that carry their own internal water supply and have internal shower and toilet facilities,” Cr Gillett said. “The first step in the process is to assess each site and ensure they are user ready.”
Shire of Harvey Councillors approved the plan after they were presented with the outcomes from the Recreation Vehicle (RV) Friendly Trial Community Consultation Report.
The move towards the implementation of a trial was spurred on by the Harvey Region Strategic Report released in 2021. This report highlighted a severe lack of accommodation in the Harvey Region for the visitor market.
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We carry a portable toilet with us and don’t use our grey water so why should we be penilised
Someone rang and checked with the shire and apparently it does include self contained caravans
Why only motorised and not fully self contained caravans? Completely unfair
Motorised RV only? Why not fully self contained caravans etc.
I think it’s a lack of knowledge on the shire,s behalf. They don’t realise most caravan today are self contained.
If it’s not then they are being unrealistic. We have been fully self contained with grey water tanks for over 21 years.
Maybe they are saying Motorised because all motorised RVs come with grey water tanks fitted. Even though we have a grey water tank fitted from new in our caravan not all caravans are.
You wish! What about all the wizzbang campervans pretending to be motorhomes with no facilities on board at all. And then there are the precious motorhomers who can’t bear to use their own toilet or shower and pee on the ground like any other feral.
Sounds like this is a “first step” to see how it all works out on a limited basis. If all goes well then hopefully it can be extended to include self contained caravans. We travel in a fully self contained motorised vehicle and would be very happy to see, use, and pay a reasonable fee for more of these type of areas.
Don’t get me wrong I don’t begrudge people who can afford a motor home there hard earned retirement vehicle. BUT one of those vehicles costs more than my home. So I guess I’m a second class citizen because I don’t own ‘the right sort of vehicle’ even though like Christine, I leave barely a footprint wherever I go.
Once upon a time camping was something low income families could do but more and more it appears to cater to the wealthy.
I agree, I’m having a low cost holiday in a campervan and just need those freecamping spots with a public toilet like they have on the east coast.
But, I seem to be treated as a second class camper here in the west as the shires only want to provide free facilities for the rich in their $200,000 + motorhomes.
And from what I’ve seen a lot of people empty their toilet cassette in the bush anyway.
So the shire might as well build a regular toilet block for any one to use, then its there for daytime picnicers or overnight campers.
Not all of us travel in expensive motorhomes. It’s some of the newcomers who can afford the super duper expensive homes on wheels. It’s not all of us. On the whole most of us nomads respect the land we travel over and get rid of our waste in the right spots. It’s the minority of ferals who spoil it for the majority. Let’s work at this together and encourage “free” camping and teach the ferals how to travel responsibly.
No, we use an external shower and toilet. And usually cook outside, and don’t use the inside stove. I don’t like living inside when on holiday, unless the weather is horrible. So not likely to stay in that council area. I am of the opinion that there is a whole Australia to see, and go where my rig is welcomed.
I agree Wendy.
As with us!
I will use the new sites, one thing though, this ‘thing’ about having to have a shower on board….I do not but stay clean and smelling sweet quite easily by doing a full body wash down, and a hair wash when required. Uses far less water than a shower so good for the local water authorities.
It is how we managed in the UK back in the 50’s when we were still rebuilding after the war.
Exactly
I emailed the Harvey Shire Council. Here’s the reply –
Hello Nev,
Thank you for your email.
Please be advised that the RV sites are available for fully self-contained caravans and RVs. There was an error in the media release.
Wishing you all the best for the festive season and we look forward to welcoming you to the Harvey Region.
Kind regards
Trish Palmonari
Tourism Development
Trish Palmonari
Tourism Development and Support Industry Officer
Shire of Harvey
P: 08 9729 0349 | M: 0460 001 435 | F: (08) 9729 2053
If only … the town of Boyanup could be an RV friendly town. I guess they come under the Bunbury shire ?
My daughter lives there, but no space for our fully self-contained van.
Hi Lynley, we are residents of Boyanup WA and caravanners to boot. The township of Boyanup comes under the umbrella of the Capel Shire. There has been discussion of an overnight “self contained” stopping area at Fettlers Park in Bridge St (near the pub) following some parking mod’s and installing a dump point….but at this point discussion only. Another good location Capel council could consider would be the footy field at the end of Thomas St Boyanup, plenty of space with 24hr toilets adjacent. We have a general store, soon to be constructed IGA supermarket, pub, post office, pharmacy and a fantastic bakery. We can only hope.
It is very much geared for grey nomads as it says it does. They are also the demographic that can afford that level of equipment. Anyone traveling lighter would be excluded. It will be interesting to see if this brings the income those areas are hoping to attract. People that are self contained may not be spending money as they are bringing what they need with them and are likely to restock in large regional towns. Hope it works out for them.
Why do people assume you are well off financially if you have a self contained caravan or motorhome ?? We have a 14 year old vehicle that did not cost an arm and a leg, and we do freedom Camp on a regular basis. When ever we are not held to ransom by park owners, we do spend in local communities and God forbid, even leave a donation when there is a donation box available. We did start with a 2m x 4m tent many years ago.
Only Motor Homes, … The plan is clearly run by un educated people.
We have been to WA on our Big Lap of Australia and unfortunately most of the free camps now cost money especially all along the coast. I am glad that some of the shires are making these free camps available for travellers. Thank you. We have been to the Harvey Region and visited Harvey Cheese factory on our way through. If there was free camping in the region at that time we may have stayed longer to explore more of that region. So thank you Harvey Council for making free camps available.
Interesting that their description of “self contained” does not include grey water tanks
In most shires around Australia will refer to RVs being SCV (self contained vehicles). This will include motor homes, campervans and caravans that have a toilet, on board water and grey water holding tank (a bucket underneath is not self contained).
And it’s great that it’s not 24 hours stay as this allows for us to spend more money on the local communities before having to move on. 24 hours of only really for an overnight stay, and 72 hours would be more appropriate.
Obviously if abused these facilities will be removed and we will have to pay caravan park prices or typically on our case would drive on.
Yes we will use them. We prefer to stay in free or low cost camping whenever possible. We have CMCA sticker on back that shows we are self contained. We’ll done WA & hope to see many more open up
It has been a long time coming throughout WA . especially in wheatbelt towns there are plenty of good value caravan parks and free 48hour camping sites. These draw much needed revenue into small WA towns. However get near the coast and there is nothing,caravan parks are outrageously expensive and full up in the school holidays. ( Broome $70 a night packed in like sardines Margaret River same Perth not as expensive $50 per night ) If you are traveling around the south coast areas of WA good luck getting somewhere between now and February.
Welcome to rip off WA where the prices are high and the quality so low you would be dumb to come back.
That said ,well done the shire of Harvey at least you are helping,I hope the trial is a huge success.
This is not right yhe area should be Traveller Friendly stop singlein people out at the end of the day when you are tired to pull up the same as Truck Driver when it is good enough for one it is good enough for ALL I know I will be using them Cheers All
I run an 8.5m motor home and consider the project a triumph of common sense. We can’t stop in an area without spending money. The longer we stay the more money we spend. If there is nowhere to stop we roll on to somewhere that wants our money. Simple.
This is all good and well . . Great idea I guess. But why restrict it to gey nomads and holidays. We’re all aware of the accommodation problem for any sort of living . Families, singles, pets ,long term short term or just a bloody hotel room for a night. So I brought and old Nissan urvan for my dog guineau pigs and myself. This is our home when finished but there’s no where that you can freely go. Everything permitted is full . Hmm I’ll never fathom why we pay for land that wasn’t the government’s to sell in the first place
The only newsworthy aspect of this story is why these head-in-the-sand councils have taken so many years to wake up to the fact that caravan parks are not contributing as much to the local economy as the van parks pressure groups have been claiming.
not many places to park in WA. I have a self-built tiny van. I do have a bed and a portable loo. I carry water and everything else I need. but according to the above description I do not have the “right sort of vehicle”