As the number of campers on the road continues to increase, the ‘problem’ of stealth camping – whereby people park up for the night on suburban streets and car parks – has become a more visible one.
The issue is most acute in coastal towns and communities, particularly during peak season.
In many instances, the homelessness crisis has added a significant complicating factor for local authorities wrestling with how to deal with complaints from disgruntled residents.
In New South Wales, for example, the City of Newcastle says both residents and community groups have been in contact with concerns over vehicles parking for extended periods on the peninsula of Stockton.
Many authorities are seeking ways to clamp down on stealth camping. PIC: Cizza
The local authority says it is now exploring overnight parking restrictions in several locations.
“We are doing this with the aim of improving safety and amenity in these areas,” a City of Newcastle spokesperson told the Grey Nomads. “Many of the persons in these locations declare themselves as homeless … in these instances City of Newcastle officers work with the ‘Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places’.”
This is a NSW Government policy designed to ensure that those experiencing homelessness are treated respectfully, with dignity, and do not face discrimination.
“City of Newcastle officers work closely with the Department of Community and Justices’ Assertive Outreach team and NSW Police, to assist persons into appropriate accommodation and out of vehicles and makeshift campsites,” said the spokesperson.
Across the country, rangers seeking to enforce local regulations have to be sensitive to the situations of the people they may be seeking to move on, but there is also a need not to let things get out of hand.
Early last year, for example, authorities on Queensland’s Fraser Coast decided ‘enough was enough’ and rough sleepers engaging in dangerous and anti-social activities were ordered to move on from public spaces in Pialba.
Fraser Coast Regional Council CEO Ken Diehm said at the time that the action followed an alarming increase in violent incidents, criminal activity, and property damage in areas in Pialba such as The Pines Park, Apex Park, alongside Tooan Tooan Creek, and the site known as ‘The Kitchen’ near the All Abilities Playground car park.
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Why don’t councils put in cheap overnight parking spots, electronic payment, ranger cruises past each morning at 6am and checks regoes. Fires for those who didn’t pay.
A local sports ground would have toilets and a carpark and is not used at night except maybe for training.
Charge $10 per night per vehicle.
Councils also own lots of land surrounding rural towns, use some of that for a primitive camp ground. Drop toilets, once again electronic payment $10 per vehicle. These areas could also allow tents.
The money raised would easily cover the rangers dropping by every few days. Caravan parks are just too expensive many of them now don’t even have unpowered sites.
Most councils already do this .But remember who pays for it in the end the rate payers..It seams in this day and age people want things for nothing.
And the visitors (tourists?) are the ones that add viability to many small businesses in the area.
Totally agreed. Between $400 to $700.00 dollars a week.
Most of these one burgher joints will be ghost towns when the mines shut in 2038.
You must not spend in these communities! Peter above was correct $10.00 per night per vehicle on council owned land would be enough to pay without putting pressure on taxpayers for people who are homeless living in their vans or caravans , strict rules though about leaving rubbish around and keeping sites clean and tidy also obnoxious behaviour . Personally I prefer showgrounds $25.00 a night atm. The current situation for the showgrounds we’re staying at is they desperately need every $ that we pay obviously the local council needs our support.
Unfortunately there always those that will cheat the system and cruel it for others.
Agent 99
Great thoughts Peter.
I totally agree.
Great idea! Clamping down and becoming more oppressive is council short sightedness. Open up cheap practical spaces for overnighters is a right that the council should be organising- now.
I fully agree. I always stay in caravan parks but there are NEVER enough sites available. The caravan park owners are at fault & don’t want any more competition to their “cash cows” businesses. Broome in WA has been booked out for 2026 season since Nov25 and they are all over priced. This applies to most of the coastal towns in WA. More budget friendly caravan sites are needed but it will never happen when the owners are also the town councillors protecting their million dollar business..
How about the councils show some respect to the homeless folk they treat as the enemy. Work with them , employ a few to better manage the ‘areas of concern’.
This all sounds nuts to me. Its like living near an airport and complaining about aircraft noise. Live near a nice beach and complain that people want to enjoy it too. Council blocked off all the old free camp places away from houses and now what? Another revenue raiser? Free Australia was fantastic but all these communist type rules are un-Australian and should not have been ever considered. Ruining Australia one rule at a time.