Stung by a massive negative reaction to its ‘hardline’ approach to free camping, the Victorian town of Warrnambool is continuing to struggle with the best way to move forward on the issue.
According to a report prepared by the council’s tourism services manager, Peter Abbott, the Great Ocean Road hotspot’s reputation has been hammered online due to its ‘no free camping’ stance.
“This is not isolated to Warrnambool as freedom campers are a well organised group that highlights towns and communities perceived to not welcome their preferred form of tourism,” he said.
Clearly feeling the economic effects of the traveller backlash, the council is now planning to throw the whole issue of free camping by vanpackers and grey nomads open to community debate at a specially-convened forum.
“There are a range of views on the best way to address this issue and a public forum will allow all views to be aired, providing advice to councillors for future determinations,” said Mr Abbott in a report for council. “Tourism industry is not just accommodation providers — retailers and other suppliers rely on tourism spend.”
The Warrnambool Standard newspaper reports that the council’s existing policy clearly favours registered accommodation venues over allowing travellers to camp for free in their vehicles at public parks and other venues.
The current council policy states: “Warrnambool City Council local laws prohibit guests to the city using areas other than registered accommodation facilities for overnight stays.”
The Standard reports Mr Abbott as saying the current policy was based around maintaining amenity of the city and surrounds with litter and other waste as issues.
“Local holiday operators have concerns relating to the range of compliance costs they bear when compared to freedom camping locations,” he said. “Their views can be summarised as there is no such thing as free camping as ratepayers will need to maintain these freedom camping areas.”
Warrnambool has six registered holiday parks, two of which are operated by the council.
The council will vote on whether to press ahead with the ‘camping issue’ community forum idea when it meets on Monday night. The forum results would then help shape a new policy document on the issue.
* Do you think Warrnambool should re-consider its hardline approach? Do you think free camper boycotts of towns perceived as ‘unfriendly’ are the way to go?
A voluntary boycott of towns that are not RV/Free camping friendly are always a personal thing. I won’t return to Warnambool after my last visit to the showgrounds and the things that happened there.
Unfortunately it also takes the money I would have spent in cafes/servos and other local businesses away from the area.
I would like to pose the very important question of “Impartiality and Conflict of interest”
If Warnambool Council own and operate two Caravan Parks/Holiday villages how can the spectre of Vested Interest be addressed?
Does it mean that the Council as a whole who run these enterprises have to exclude themselves on the basis of perceived bias?
Personally I don’t think much of the council after the totally inadequate response I have had in my dealings with same.
We only stayed at Warrnambool once. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard was brilliant. However the price of the caravan park led us to decide never to visit Warrnambool again. That was in 2005 and we have passed that way about 5 times since.
Absolutely, they should be boycotted. Their decision to ban free camping was, I suspect, motivated by the self interest of the vocal and influential few. They also probably didn’t want to have to pay anyone to police and tidy these places, tkingbthe easy option and tarring all free campers with the same ‘littering ratbag’ brush. Their choice is clear to me. Either the park owners lose out a bit (there are still plenty of people like me who will always use a park over a free camp – we like the security) and the rest of the community benefits, or everyone loses out. It is that simple. It then becomes a question of how to balance things out. Limit the places that are allocated for free camping, and police the free campers’ behaviour – as you would have to if people started littering official parks. The price of parks would also come down if the rules of supply and demand function correctly. Not holding my breath for the latter…
On Wednesday (29/04/15) in the early evening we seen a couple in a back packer van negotiate with the owner of a house only 2 doors away from a well known Park to stay & park on the front lawn. Well done council.
hi all. personally if I have problems don’t like the place people etc etc I just don’t go back there at all
plenty of other places to go and see
enjoy travells
The motels didn’t complain when parks put in cabins!
We have been on the road for 10 months now and have seen first hand the mess left behind by ” Freedom Campers” Fire places leaving ugly scares, toilet paper, generators running all day and night long, people who have no idea of how to leave no trace. Why would anyone want you camping in their back yard?? Wake up and LEAVE NO TRACE !!. Well done to a council who has had enough.
There are ways and means for councils to provide low cost areas for travellers all it takes is some lateral thinking and policing. The area I live in does not have any problems with overnighters and their rubbish and toilet habits but as with every council area in Australia we do have great problems and costs to clean up the mess left by hordes of day trippers and locals that have no respect. Strangely enough these ferals are actually encouraged to come and use and abuse our services but no attack is ever launched against those day trippers and locals who trash our area. The ferals number in the thousands every day in summer as opposed to maybe 20/day of travellers. It is plain to see that nomads are not the cause of the mess and the costs they are blamed for by greedy park operators. If councils believe nomads are responsible then they should get out more and watch their local citizens trash the area they live in. By the way I avoid the great ocean road like the plague due to councils views and bylaws.
There will always be those that abuse the environment, unfortunately those that do the right thing suffer as a result.
But to punish all is ludicrous, these councils should consider how they can appease all, throwing out the baby in the washing water is not the answer.
I myself feel that people who passing through and just want to stay overnight overnight should be able do so, what are we Australians coming to, if
So that’s Warrnambool and Bundaberg Qld, to avoid.Still not realising the power of word of mouth hey. At a happy hour at Burrum Heads in Qld last week nearly 40 of us all discussing where and where not to stay, can you imagine how many people will end up knowing about in this case Bundaberg Qld.Travelling with 4 other couples all us ripped off,all of us disgusted in service and ALL of us will never stop in Bundaberg again.I will make sure as will my travelling buddies that we tell anyone and everyone I talk to.The sooner a book is published and updated when there is say 10 complaints the better.Like pete said plenty of other places to stay. STEVO.
Not Bundaberg they have a great free camp one out of town and the other near the Hinkley memorial
I Love Warnnambool however will no longer stay at the council caravan park during Easter (which we had done for years until this year when they put the peak prices up to more than $50.00 per night, from $38.00 in previous years). We informed the park of this but they did not care as usual. We did check out the Killarney Beach Camping Reserve a peaceful retreat with basic grassed areas, modern toilet block, football oval, right on the beach and only $25 or 28.00 per night off peak which I thought was reasonable. Its only 15 -20 mins back into Warrnambool. The Council needs to take note – we don’t all expect FREE and most are willing to pay a nominal amount for the basics. So Suffer Warrnambool its your own greedy fault.
50 bucks is totally crazy for a night parking often on top off each other. go sight seeing with caravan attached, we do that, than park along main road, not side streets or council parks, for shore etc. along main road nothing can be done you resting and sleeping. the law says you must rest when tired, driving is illegal than. we have never been told to move on doing this.
just a point no gear outside and combination must be in drive position, just key in and drive off. that is “not camping” and nothing to do with council rangers if no signs prohibiting along main road.
They won’t miss you or anyone else who “boycotts” the town.
Believe it or not most locals find grey nomads a total pain in the bum.
avoid warrnambool and continue on to Portland where you are welcome. we have good caravan parks,an excellent free bush camp at the Sawpit and you can also stay at the old showgrounds free, council decision pending, which has a dump point and hot showers within walking distance to RSL and shops. excellent boating facilities, lakes and rivers. all welcome including overseas visitors. Great little town that needs your support.
They also have a free public shower in town. Have been staying at the sawpit campsite for four days and it is lovely spot. Free camping means we have spent money in local supermarkets,pubs,tackle shop and restaurants and enjoyed ourselves very much. Good on ya Portland.P.S. And the local people have been wonderful.
Nowra showgrounds. No slabs. Toilets locked at night. No showers. $20pn for two people, no power. Power xtra. RV friendly????
Very dissapointing to hear Warrnambool have no free camping. We were planning to visit and on a tight budget. Yes free camping allows us to spend money in town on a meal out and entertainment.
I have looked around warrnambool for good services for sleeping rough and found nothing. Anglicare Church provide showers, sneaking into caravan park for shower would be better.
It is very unfriendly and a backwards approach. Its not a healthy additute or future they have put for campers or even the homeless in the area.