The decision by WA’s Shire of Augusta-Margaret River to change the way it approaches the thorny – and recurrent – problem of illegal camping … has received a lukewarm reception from residents and grey nomads.
At a recent special meeting this week, the council decided to introduce a collaborative way of problem-solving and working with the local community to address illegal camping and peak season pressures.
The idea of establishing a new stakeholder committee to guide ‘quick wins’ in the war against illegal camping has come under fire.
The Perth Now publication reports that the shire’s own Facebook page trumpeting its news had the comments section switched off after an avalanche of negative reactions.
Budget travellers can struggle to fInd places to camp in popular coastal communities. PIC: Cizza
The key complaint appeared to be that the council wasn’t taking action to set up an overflow camping area for budget travellers during busy periods.
“You haven’t given any thought at all to providing a place where people can actually camp up safely and legally,” said one commenter. “In the case of working holidaymakers, let’s remember we need these travellers in town … they do a lot of jobs that nobody else wants to do. Let’s make them feel welcome.”
Perth Now reports that the shire has previously said an overflow facility wasn’t an easy or cheap solution and questioned whether travellers themselves would use it.
However, commenters in the Grey Nomads website were in no doubt what was needed.
“How about providing a cost effective RV park area?” said Ian.
And Marc said it was about economics … as people who camp are spending money at local businesses.
“The more it costs them to camp/stay in the region, the less they are putting in the broader communities pocket,” he said.
And Cuppa said that what the council was intending was simply ‘more of the same’.
“Instead of trying to remain ‘exclusive’ they should be looking at how to become ‘inclusive’,” he said. “The real problem is the attitude that prevails down there. If instead of carping on about ‘illegal camping’, if there were spaces provided with water, rubbish and toilet facilities, in the areas deemed to be ‘problem areas’, then they would no longer be problem areas.”
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I avoid Margaret River most of the time as it is now spoilt from what it used to be. Especially in Peak season and School Holidays it’s best staying away, and I like many no longer support the place as it has priced us out and become out of reach.
They appear to want to keep out what they see as the riff raff of society. In other words anyone who cannot afford to stay in expensive van parks or expensive motels.
‘Reactive’ instead of ‘Proactive’: what a great way to deter people. Why don’t they just set up some barbed wire enclosures to protect the visitors from the Council and be done with it. That will make the visiting campers feel welcome and safe as they figure out where else to go.
And the Council will no longer have to worry about cleaning up after them because no-one will want to stay there long enough.
Golden opportunity for another nearby Shire to welcome those rejected from Margaret River!
Been there twice, NO more. Complete waste of trip. Have to go miles away from any beaches to find somewhere to stop the night or a few days. Spend a fortune at any Campground (if you can get into one) which limits what I have left for tucker etc. Nope, over rated snobs.
They are mostly surfers near the beach.overseas backpackers tend to work many visiting ozzie surfers don’t are centrlink lifestylers. The wealthy city landowners own most of the capes beach area and the local state government are huge stakeholders .there used to be big caravan parks that accomadated the nomads but have all been subdivided especially in busselton shire .Up north they use public and private land to enable campers to contain rubbish and possibilities of fires ,they use sports grounds public parks etc but margaret river shire is full of subiaco type of councillors and they are not country pragmatic trouble shooters .the council probably worst in west aust .
5hey are making it like Byron only for the rich they don’t want campers here but hey the rich arnt going to do the dirty work are they.look at what happened before they couldn’t find workers they were crying now they have workers there crying you can’t please the rich can you.and the council will jump threw loops for what the rich say.
Hey. Live here. There is definatelyva problem. I remember when the caravan parks were full…and only then.. the shire opened up parts of the goucester park for overflow. Toilets n showrscthere for a minimal cost. Only when everything wad full. And no rvs. Just campers who had jobs here. Worked okay. So lets get rid of something that worked. No forsight with this council. Ps we are not all snobs and exclusives.
A high percentage of business owners relie on tourism but most of the people complaining are them selves blow ins ,they’re aren’t to many actual locals born and bred there and the true locals are welcoming, if you want the tourism $ provide services for all walks of life and the people who actually make he place tick
Just tooo expensive on the traditional parks
I think the council should get stricter it is so bad it’s not funny. I am from the East. Look at Yallingup car park. So sad. It’s not only the backpacks. Some WA people. Think they can do anything Camp anywhere. It is going to come to a end. Yeah have a go at me the key board warriors. I am not going to cry. I am just not going. Down that way. It’s terrible