It’s school holidays and a long weekend in many parts of Australia and that can mean only one thing … illegal campers are in the sights of local authorities.
In New South Wales, for example, MidCoast Council has said its rangers will be undertaking targeted patrols at popular coastal locations, including Seal Rocks, during the holiday period.
Patrols will focus on illegal parking, overnight camping, beach driving without a permit, and illegal dumping.
Rangers will also be monitoring areas including Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens, Crowdy Head and Harrington.
Illegal parking in Seal Rocks in New South Wales. PIC: MidCoast Council
The council says it has seen improvements in access and traffic flow at Seal Rocks following increased enforcement and the installation of line marking and No Stopping signs along Seal Rocks Road.
“Council welcomes visitors to the Barrington Coast, but we also have a responsibility to protect local communities, the environment and access for emergency services,” Executive Manager Sustainable Development Rachel Pleasant said. “Parking, camping and beach-use rules are in place to help make the holiday period safer and more enjoyable for everyone.”
The council said visitors were encouraged to book accommodation well in advance, and warned that not being able to find accommodation was not an acceptable reason to camp illegally.
In previous holiday periods, illegal parking has caused significant congestion and, in some cases, blocked access for emergency services and waste collection.
“Seal Rocks is surrounded by Myall Lakes National Park, which limits opportunities to expand parking and road capacity,” said Ms Pleasant.
The council says its number plate recognition technology is also supporting more targeted and effective parking patrols in high-traffic tourist areas, including Forster and Seal Rocks.
“Rangers will be undertaking patrols throughout the holiday period, including at different times of the day and week, to support compliance and help keep these areas safe and accessible,” Ms Pleasant said.
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Back in the 60s/70s the Gold Coast had an illegal camping problem, mainly surfers then but some tourists
They solved it by having dusk to dawn movies at the local drive in theatres
U rocked up , paid ur entrance fee,had a feed,toilets etc, then slept in ur panel van or watched movies till dawn
Seemed to work well
My wife and I have fond memories of both Southport and Burleigh heads drive-ins
Unfortunately now, no drive-ins
Brilliant idea, however that would be in the too hard basket for councillors these days.
Fair enough, fine and move on anyone doing the wrong thing re rubbish and parking in truck bays etc but for goodness sake leave those alone who are merely trying to get some peace in the great outdoors or trying to give their families something other than four walls and a screen. It’s stressful times and not much spare $$$ and councils need to recognise this and support anyone trying to get some satisfaction out of life. Not everyone can afford the extravagant prices in parks. I say to council, go enforce stray animal rules, unreasonable noise complaints, etc etc etc and let people respectfully enjoying their very own country alone!
I agree. I am a fisher and travel in a motorhome and often get to a beach area and park early to catch the right tide for fishing, my wife generally stays in bed at these times. Many a time a zealous ranger has banged on the door demanding the motor home leave or be fined. These rangers do not listen when told we arrived at say 5am and I am on beach fishing and only others there are surfers. Yes, slide out was out for bed but really only parked in correct space to do some fishing. Usually after a couple of hours, I pack up and move on unless the fish are biting, which is a rare thing nowadays due to commercial fishers raping the beaches. I create no noise and am completely self-contained and the only thing I do is use toilets (if available) and garbage facilities otherwise by 9am or so I am gone to next campsite or park.
Makes it bloody obvious that I won’t go to NSW again. People free camping have to buy food, fuel, bait etc. In fact they may contribute more than those going to expensive places where things are catered for. However, nothing worse than peoples rubbish everywhere and fecal matter and uses toilet paper. I guess campers need to realise why places don’t want them.