The flurry of new fees being levied on overnight visitors to erstwhile ‘free’ camping areas is having an unexpected side effect … it’s driving a wedge between campers and day users.
Dumaresq Dam near Armidale in New South Wales looks set to be the next spot to start charging a ‘nominal’ fee for camping, while day visitors who use the same facilities won’t have to pay a fee.
Like many camping areas near towns, Dumaresq Dam is also hugely popular with day visitors. People go for picnics, or to enjoy fishing, bushwalking and kayaking opportunities … and then they return to their homes or their holiday accommodation with their cash still in their pockets.
With the ‘user pays’ mantra often quoted to justify new charges, the discrepancy has not gone unnoticed by those who will be at the pointy end of the expected $10 levy … caravanners and motorhomers.
“What do the day visitors pay to use the amenities?” asked grey nomad, Brian L. “Why do campers and grey nomads have to foot the bill?”
The common argument in defence of such charges is that day users are often locals who already pay rates towards the upkeep of facilities. However, it is also true that most travellers also pay council rates back in their home districts.
“Has anyone tried to reconcile the fact that you can park all day, every day, free in any town recreational park or rest stop, use the facilities – such as barbecue, water, toilets and sometimes showers – but if you stay overnight then a charge seems to be warranted,” asked Terry R. “It must be something in the night air!”
The danger, of course, is that rather than rectifying the ‘discrepancy’ by removing the charges on campers, authorities might instead choose to add an ‘extra’ charge for day use.
Many national parks in Australia already charge people to enter the park and then again if they want to camp.
Overseas, some van parks even charge people to visit friends during the day.
Eagle Lake RV Park in Alberta, Canada, slugs day visitors with a $10 fee per car and driver, and $2 per passenger.
The parks says its policy is entirely justified. “There is wear and tear on the roads, play areas, and other common facilities,” management explains. “The toilets need to be cleaned and pumped out whether you are here for the day or overnight.”
