The debate over whether camping should be allowed to continue at the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshores is reaching fever pitch.
In February, councillors voted five to four to let self-sufficient caravans and RV’s park for 48 hours on council-owned land at the waterfront in the New South Wales beauty spot. However, with summer coming, it seems some may be having second thoughts.
Tomorrow night, the council is set to re-visit what proved to be a controversial decision, and the city’s Mayor Denise Knight has re-stated her strong opposition.
“This is our pride, this is our jewel in our crown, and we’re going to have RV’s,” she told the ABC. “Now I’ve travelled in RV’s, and don’t tell me they spend a lot of money, they don’t. They need to go into our proper caravan parks like everybody else.”
The mayor said offering up the area for free is not fair to those who have to pay, elsewhere in town.
“Coffs Harbour likes to think that we are fair and equitable,” she said. “Being fair and equitable does not mean that some people get to park for free, use our water, wash their fry pans in our ocean, and other people are paying for a caravan park.”
However, the mayor will not get the argument all her own way. Cr John Arkan has been leading the push for RVs and caravans to be free to park at the Jetty Foreshores. He said if RVs cannot park at the waterfront they will bypass Coffs and the city will take an economic hit.
An online poll run by local newspaper, the Coffs Coast Advocate, found the majority of readers were in favour of welcoming vans and campers.
Of the first 700 votes registered, 68% of people agreed it would benefit the city as a tourist location. A further 23% said the campers should make a payment of some sort for the privilege and 9% said they should be directed to local caravan parks.
If you would like an input into the debate at Coffs Harbour, the council can be emailed here; The mayor can be contacted here; and Cr John Arkan can be contacted here. Comment below
That would be the most sensible thing to do…”But! Hang on this is a Council never beenknown to see the Forest because of the tree’s
We average spending around $100 a day in RV friendly locations – the others we generally bypass. Where donation boxes are supplied in “free camp” areas, we always contribute.
Mayor Knight sounds like a know nothing. Really, what RVs dont spend money in the towns they go to. She must have just had a weekend away in one.
The majority of travellers will always want and need caravan parks, with all the amenities and facilities such as Rec. rooms, Camp kitchens, Entertainment Etc, especially for children.
However a large percentage of Grey Nomads prefer basic low cost or free camps and prefer to spend their money on other things. We don’t need all the bells and whistles. As fully self contained ,we are happy to just find parking somewhere. We try to fuel up ( $200 odd each time ) and buy groceries , get repairs done, etc. where we are welcomed to town.
In an area such as Coffs Harbour, where the 3 major parks are owned by the Council and 1 by the Lands Department ,I don’t think we make any difference to them but maybe we do to other business operators who value every extra dollar (I speak as a retired business operator in Coffs). Maybe caravan park owners should reflect on the business that they take away from Motel owners by their ever increasing number of cabins put up in their parks.
Free parking always seems to cause a lot of problems, but it strange that one Business (Caravan Parks) can stop all the other business from getting trade from the RV user that wish to stop over in towns.
I pay rates in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, I own a house there,
I also have a 36 foot, fully self contained mobile Home, It has every thing,
I dont need Caravan Parks, A truck stop on the side of the road is all I need,
I go to your town to see the Attractions that you have to offer, I pay for what I need in your town,
You want to make it hard for me to visit your town,
I wont go to your town,
I will go to the next town that will welcome RV Visitors and their money,
You need us, We dont need you,
Close your Park up and your town, It will be on Google, You will soon see that no RV’s will stop there any more,
The RV Owners are also members of Large Familys that visit their Oldies in their RV’s, Where ever they are temporarily parked,
So you miss out on their Financial Additions to your economy as well,
Money grubbers soon learn their lessons,
Keep in mind, The next town is only 30 miles up the road,
How very true. Jane and I have had the ‘not too difficult to understand’ experience of being asked to move on. No problems. Made the effort to post copies of fuel dockets and associated spending back to the relevant authorities , that were made at the next location, with best wishes. Message from PA saying sorry!
The “Australian Tax Payer” have paid and are still paying Taxes for these properties to be maintained, which includes the Nomads who have worked most of their lives.
So is it really free parking when you must rest your head and get off the Roads? How many signs are there all over Australia stating, STOP REVIVE and SERVIVE? How many more accidents is there going to be?
I recall a comment by a business owner when I was in Broome, he said
Nomads are the “WOW” factor, “Wallets On Wheels.”
Safe travels everyone.
We have stayed at Coffs in caravan parks, but we planned to re-visit and stay at the free camp. Now we won’t bother, so Coffs will miss out on our spending money.
The Mayor might be tight-fisted when she goes travelling in RV’s, but how dare she accuse the rest of us of being that way too.
Too bad Coffs, you lose.
We have also already been to coffs so dont need to go back, we will go a few miles further up next time thru
We only stay in towns that welcome RV and allow us to stay free.We do spend money(unlike your mayor) we also live in a tourist area and welcome caravaners using our water,and spending there money,but we will give this small minded mayor and her town a big miss.
Such a beautiful town,such a small minded tight fisted mayor,oh well it takes all types.
We will not be encouraging her attitude.
Now just another drive through town. No shopping, attractions and plan the trip so a fuel purchase is not required.
Seriously.. is that their attitude.. No free camping..
I spent 3month’s touring the USofA.. I traveled over 18,000mile’s for the trip.. Saw a Lot of the country.. Drove at my own pace and the Bulk of my time was spent Free camping.. Walmart car-park were the place of choice.. Why Because they allowed it.. there was always 1 or 2 other RV’s in the Area..
What did I usually do.. Go inside and grab the food that I needed.. and anything else.. If you have never been Walmart has Nearly everything you need.. Food, clothes, cooking gear.. It has a huge selection.. Prices are good and you get what you need..
So the Idea of not having free camping.. is a Case of WTF[Sorry for language] Are you really going to deny your local business the chance to have money spent in them..
SHAME on YOU..
J
The mayor should checkout the free camp at Macksville north of the bridge Packs out every knight and the nomads cross the bridge to shops and have dinner at the club or the STAR ,how do I know ? I am one and I do it.
why not turn the coffs harbour into a caravan park make pay for a caravan park at the jetty