<span class="highlight">Caravan</span> Industry push for free camping to be stopped

Hopeful local councils consult all their ratepayers before closing any free camping spots. I live in Melbourne but I have stayed a night in Kulin in WA on four occasions in the last three years. Why? Because it is a small country town with a free camping spot right (no power) in the middle of town and next door to a toilet block which also has a shower. It also has a 24 hour fuel outlet, an eatery accross the road, and the people are very friendly. It is obvious that the Kulin council has opened up this free camping spot (was the old rail yards) to encourage visitors to their town and help keep it alive. Good on them and hopefully other councils will see the benefits of the same model.

G'day Karl

I'd prefer to reserve comment until the "caravan industry" presents their arguments, but it hard to see local councils around the country bending to a lobby group.

Cheers
John

I lived in Exmouth for a short while in the late 70's and the local council had banned the free camping that used to occur along the beaches. The two caravan parks (one council owned) gained trade but the rest of the towns business' suffered (especially the pub) with the drop off in trade at holiday times. They said that their turnover was down to below 1/2 of what it used to be before the free camping was banned.
Have been back there a few times since and its amazing how the place has changed again, but still a great place to visit.

Mal

What or who makes up the "Caravan Industry". If it's the Caravan Park owners I can understand. I read an article recently about the cost of Caravan Parks, especially along the Coast so I imagine if you have 6 Million to spend on a Caravan Park you will have plenty of say in the right places.

I don't begrudge them their money, however we like to go bush where the prices are cheaper and the locals are friendlier.

I hope that big money doesn't influence doesn't make it's way to the Country Councils who generally provide cheap/free facilities. We tend not to use the free facilities but we are happy to pay a reasonable price for some facilities.

Regards
Geoff

Interesting, but I wouldn't think Caravan manufacturers would like this, as they are nearly all geared up for free camping accessories.

I have never heard of this group, where & who are they.

Does EO have a voice on this?

Interesting situation here I live in Broken Hill and they say tourism is down all over because of costs of fuel and other items .

So this will hit the people who can least afford it and the towns that need that tourist dollar will feel the effects

The big problem is NOT free camping in out of the way areas but in close proximity to small /ish towns and large towns whose economy relies in part on the tourists / travellers $ ,, free camping 3 or 5 km out of town does very little to help a small towns economy , yes some of you will say that you go into town and spend big $$ on fuel / groceries / pub etc but in reality most don't because you fuel up at large towns using Coles / Woolies discount vouchers that you got stocking up in large towns and your booze came from a Dan Murhpy's before you left the big smoke……..

Lifted from the Annual report of The Caravan Industry Association of Western Australia or caravanwa.
Quote

"1. 1) NON -COMPLIANT CAMPING
This is a critical issue facing the caravan park industry not only in W.A. but throughout Australia.
2) LOCAL GOVERNMENT OVERFLOW POLICIES, OVERNIGHT & 48 HOUR CAMPING & REST AREAS
These coupled with the proliferation of non-compliant camping have become a very pressing issue for the indus- try as a whole and the Association is in the process of taking steps to ensure that all State and Local government authorities provide an even playing field for all and take heed of the National competitive neutrality principle when setting up these free or under-priced facilities that compete unfairly with private enterprise that has com- ply with a multitude of regulations, policy directives and laws.
3) PROPOSED REVIEW OF THE RESIDENTIAL PARKS (LONG-STAY TENANTS) ACT
The Association assisted its members with their response to the Department of Commerce's survey / feedback on the proposed amendments and also submitted to the Department its own detailed response to the proposed changes. Following our written response the Committee also met with key representatives of the department to reiterate the industry's stand on the said proposals.
The work of this Committee will be an ongoing one. With ever increasing pressures from different sectors to have more free or non-compliant camping, in its various forms ,in different parts of the State and the never ending changes in legislations, regulations and policies from the different levels of government, the operator of a caravan park has indeed an arduous task.
It is difficult and at times nearly impossible for individual park operator members to deal with these issues by themselves and consequently they look to the Association for leadership in tackling these issues in the best interest of the industry, in a timely and effective manner.
Committees by their very nature are constrained in acting speedily and are at best reactive to the problem. For CIA- WA to proactively advocate on behalf of its members in this fast evolving environment, it is my humble view that there is a real and pressing need for the Association to have a full-time Legislations & Policies Executive in its em- ploy; this is a matter that the Board needs to consider in due course.
This role would involve:
• • Formulating, with the assistance of the Board and Standing Committees, the industry’s agenda on critical matters and carrying forward to all levels of government and other stakeholders in a continuous and effec- tive manner
• • Constantly monitoring and responding on all industry linked regulatory matters so that CIAWA has a real im- pact in shaping the regulatory environment for all of the industry (parks and trades); thereby effectively be- coming the peak industry body
• • Researching the various issues affecting the industry and compiling statistical data towards advancing the Association’s objectives
• • Developing key links with State regulatory bodies so as to influence outcomes affecting the industry
• • Informing and educating members on the various compliance and regulatory issues that clutter this industry "

I doubt the caravan industry would have any interest or say in this matter. The Caravan Park Owners Association (Vic) and the Caravan Park Association (SA) have a very definite interest in this subject and do from time to time raise the subject in an effort to stop or at least limit free camping. There are probably other organisations similar to these two in other states and at a guess probably a national organisation as well.Caravan parks cost millions to buy into and with that sort of money invested you would naturally want to maximise your profits, free camping then becomes a competitor and as such a viable target. I think these organisations should be wary of what they wish for though - their wish just may come true and if it does it probably won't bode very well for them: I dislike caravan parks, simply because I would much prefer a view of the ocean or a river, forest or desert to that of a couple of dozen other caravans parked on dusty, grassless, blue metal covered sites only a few metres away. I would not appreciate being herded into an overcrowded, overpriced, glorified parking lot. Were that to become the future, I would prefer to sell my camper and spend the extra $s on a hotel/motel or B&B. I don't think I'm alone in that respect.

The Caravan park organisation states Local government authorities should endeavour to provide an even playing field for all when setting up free or under-priced facilities. This may be so but it is also so that many would prefer to stay in under priced camps with limited facilities for a variety of reasons, budgetary constraints being chief amongst them. Isn’t it also fair that Local Government authorities should also heed the voice of these people as well. Are they any less entitled than caravan park owners. Unfortunately, caravan parks are big dollar businesses and hold considerable sway over local government authorities, in the end big money will no doubt win out. And, like I said in my previous post:caravan parks will more than likely also suffer as a result of their greed induced thinking - at least one can hope! At a time when there are more and more people heading off on the big trip, local authorities need to realize their towns are the winners: these travellers need to restock: food, petrol, diesel, oil, spares, hardware, tools, and then of course there are repairs, lunches, dinners, coffee, etc. the need is no less had they simply stayed at home, indeed they are probably spending more that they would had they simply stayed at home - certainly on fuel at the least. If these travellers don't dine, repair and replenish their supplies in a town close to their 'free camp' odds are they will at another town close to a 'free camp'. Everyone gains from the traveller, why put measures in place that will ultimately have a negative effect..

It is akin to the local café objecting to the grocery store in town. After all, those people shopping for ingredients for their meals could dine at the café every night.

There are two different markets. Those who choose and use fully serviced powered sites, and those who have invested up front in an independent rig so they can have the freedom they want. The latter may sometimes be the caravan park’s customers, but only when they choose. Any pressure and that CP has lost them and their ilk forever. These travellers also prefer to spread their spending amongst a variety of businesses in town, not just the one.

I cannot think of any other industry that thinks it has the right to gets its customers by legislation not by good business practices like the rest of us have to do.

Motherhen

Don't worry, councils will lap this up if they can !!
Under the guise of 'creating a level playing field', they'll love the extra revenue if they can start charging a comparative fee for camping.

Nat Parks & Wildlife / GOVCO around the country are getting in on it too !!
Pressure from local town cara parks mainly.
Especially the recent swath of huge increases in Victoria for camping in all nat parks.
GOVCO have seen an opportunity here to increase revenue across the board.

Even when backpacking and rough camping in the wilderness of the Alpine NP, they still want near $20 a night camping fees (previously free camping).
I can state no walker I have met agrees with this, no facilities etc, but most would pay an small annual fee to access parks.

Nat parks areas with facilities fair enough, but doubling of many fees for popular places recently puts camping in those places off the agenda for many lower income families.

I rarely stay in a cara pk, generally spasmodically for the facilities every 4 or 5 days if touring a while.
I don't generally want to camp in or near a town either.

An emotive topic and one in which many of the facts and even the basis of the argument can be lost in the heat of the discussion.

So to be clear, I refer to “free camping” as in close proximity to local communities; not in the wild blue yonder where many of us are happy to pull up under a tree, or by a billabong, with not another soul (or caravan park) in sight on the horizon and beyond!

This is an issue that will continue to fester until all parties can come to a reasonable position that looks at the issue with a very long term lens, and I’ll repeat that – with a long term lens!

Currently the vested interests are poles apart and concessions will need to be given by all parties before any progress will be made.

It is all too easy to view this issue through one’s own wallet, but that is short-sighted and will lead to outcomes that may not be best or even viable in the long term. Importantly, we need to be careful of what we wish for.

I have expanded my thoughts in a blog I wrote quite some time ago and for those with an interest it can be viewed in the blogs section. Noting, that I also want to travel this great country of ours as cheaply as possible, but I also want to ensure a vibrant tourism industry that caters for all, and not just one section of the travelling and holidaying public in future years.

I highlight and put out there for consideration what I see as an important long-term implication that can easily be overlooked in this debate.

Private sector investment in short-term accommodation for the travelling public is already in a severe decline, we are already seeing this through the closure of caravan parks and also is one of the reasons many are not investing in upgrades to current facilities. Let’s face it, if the local government is going to compete with you and subsidise the real cost of providing the service via “free camping” why would you invest more money in the facilities you provide? Noting this could be either a local caravan park, or motel for that matter…

A high Australia dollar is already seeing many tourism enterprises cutting future investment due to reduced inbound tourists’ to Australia and more Australian’s are taking advantage of this by travelling overseas.

There is no doubt the issue is a hot one in need of a fix and I readily acknowledge the caravan park model needs to change and adjust. However this will only occur in the private sector and only if it is profitable to do so, which means recognising the total cost of providing a service.

Government subsidies are not the answer, and it is arguable that “free camping” is just that, a subsidy. There is also the issue of ‘Price Neutrality’ that needs to be taken into account, which in a nutshell requires (by law) that the commercial activities of councils are charged at a competitive rate, rather than a reduced priced based on subsidies and rate-payers money.

But here is the crunch for me…

Government subsidies generally lead to a fall-off in private sector investment; is very inefficient from a cost point of view and means that we become more reliant on the government to provide the facilities and infrastructure we will need in the future. Not next week, or next year, but in 10-years’ time.

One only need look at the track record of all levels of government, Local, State and Federal, on infrastructure investment in Australia to see that the travelling public will be the loser in the long-run if we continue to stifle private sector investment.

In many instances State and Local Government authorities can’t even provide basic health care facilities for its residents due to a lack of funding on infrastructure investment. So how much do you think they might be willing to spend on tourism infrastructure over the long-term?

You only need to stay at one of the “free camps” listed in the popular Camps Australia book to form the view they are coming under increasing pressure from numbers, with the inevitable result of becoming unkempt and dirty – which highlights the old adage that give someone something for free and they won’t value it...

It isn’t sustainable.

Local government authorities are already taking action to restrict access in many instances. After all, if there is little or no return, but a cost to keeping it clean and tidy to a standard demanded by most, bearing in mind there are health implications that demand they do something, the easiest way to fix it is to close it…

And yes, in some communities, but not all, there may be a pay-off for local businesses or the council to providing some form of low cost camping – but for the most part the benefit is not transparent or quantifiable.

Of course, most who frequent this website are responsible campers – tragically that cannot always be said for the general population.

So we could end up with a situation in the future that “paying” alternatives are not available due to declining private sector investment and councils and local government authorities restricting access to free camping…

Where will that leave us?

There is little doubt the caravan park model needs to change, but be careful of demanding government subsidies to achieve it; one only needs to look at the most recent Federal Budget to realise that funding and subsidies can be erased at one stroke of the pen!

Just as a thought, I wonder how many people would like to see campers constantly setting up in their suburban street. People seem to feel that small towns are fair game and those from the burbs should be free to camp wherever they like, away from the city.
Yes, out bush, in designated areas (ie, not on peoples land, or in a Roadhouse driveway) but in and around towns, I don't see why there should be free camping provided, it's not that towns fault that you spent $100000 + to be able to do it.
Saying that, I free camp at times too, when out bush.
I also point people in the direction of many free camps along the GCR. So, as you can see, I'm certainly not against it, what I am against, is the view people have of being entitled to it, rather than seeing it as a privilige.

Cheers
Al

Now you've changed your question Tjukayirla: originally you said 'anywhere I want', now your saying 'designated areas', that's a huge difference. That being the case I can see no reason why not, but I don't think you as a camper would enjoy it, busy suburban streets are worlds away from the outskirts of small towns,; but, to each his own. Write to some of suburbia's councils and 'demand' a free camp, I'm sure they'd be happy to hear from you.
All that aside, no one here is demanding anything, these small towns provide free camps as a way to boost the towns income, campers are happy to enjoy the hospitality and add to local business coffers.

Alloy C, now you have city slickers camping willy nilly everywhere ruining the yokels day, free campers generally camp in rest areas and designated areas expressly set up for that purpose - not in your driveway. I think you two need to get your heads together and settle on a course of argument.

I think that there are many parts of the caravan park industry where they are doing it pretty hard. Two years ago we invested some of our retirement hard-earned into Aspen, a company that operates caravan parks all over Australia. This year Aspen announced a 45% write-down in the value of their caravan park portfolio.

The mining construction going in in many remote areas was a great shot in the arm for the parks that had cabins to rent and many had 100% occupancy at big rents all year. But with mining construction coming to a close, many of these parks are now in serious strife and have lost almost half of their value.

I would personally be more than happy to pay to top up my water tanks, dispose of my rubbish, empty the loo and maybe do a load of washing if I am passing through a town. I don't like staying in caravan parks, but I do expect to have to pay for the services that the local community provides me.

I am fortunate that money is not the issue. I'll pay for what I want.

But I avoid caravan parks because they are the pits - they need to lift their game and get with the times - can I suggest they need to:
- relocate into bush areas on the edge of towns where you can have SPACE - the concept of living on top of your neighbours is 30 years out of date.
- give people their privacy and a bush settling/experience
- a shower/toilet block within 500 metres is OK.
- allow dog owners on a leash (that should be the dog not the owner)
- allow a campfire

We support the local communities - we appreciate real souvenirs - not the tourist rubbish that comes out of China.
We like the bakeries, we like the pub meals when they are cooked properly and not full of fat. We're happy to pay $30 for a bottle of wine with our meal. We'll happily pay for a local tour.

I'm happy to pay money for a bush camp with few/no facilities. Just because its a nice place to be. Like we do in the Flinders Ranges where the tourist dollar is helping to keep the farmers on the land.

But just don't give me a caravan park!

I don't mind paying a few $ for a bush camp, what I dislike is paying through the nose for a site in a caravan park where the grass has turned to dust, the toilets and showers are dirty and 'sort of cleaned' once a day (usually during peak times), there are numerous tiles missing from the walls, there are no toilet rolls, the manager allows his dog to roam around at will, the lawn mower man sprays debris all over everyone's camper. And would you believe there is one in Murray Bridge with no tap water, you have to hike up to a water tank, bucket in hand, to get your water. WA's Calm camps and most council areas provide excellent examples of bush camps other states would do well to copy.Places like Alexandra Bridge, Canebrake Pool, Hoffman Mill, Sue's bridge, Heron Point to name a few. You can even act as a host if you don't want to pay for the site.

It isn't so much paying that bothers me. It is the registration process and surveillance that results.

I frequently live outside in a big city and over the past thirty years have seen most natural area fenced off for no apparent purpose except to keep people out.

And it isn't done for ecological reasons as the car parks are also closed to prevent hikers from form parking then entering on foot what used to be hug reserves and unoccupied government land.

An evil force is moving through our society.

Hi.

There are a lot of different types travelling. From hikers,to cyclists, motorbikes, car and van to 5th wheelers and Motorhomes.
We all have one thing in common.
The need to get our head down for a few hrs every 24.

Some happy to kip on grass beside bike. car etc (I've been round on a motorbike and tarp with a sleeping bag. (in the early '70's)

As we get older we like the comforts and priveliges that go with affluence. Some like the comfort of van parks every night and have vans to suit.
Some. (Us for example) have (had) full sufficient van down to water desal. genny and panels.
We still stayed a van park, Most weeks. For one night. to clean\wash\stock up and visit bank etc in comfort.
With your solar, decent freezer and water supply, you can be nicely self suffic. for 10 days or so with very little hassle..

I know a lot who are,have been travelling round this beautiful place for decades. Working or just enjoying.
Takes all sorts. and the caravan park people. PLUS others. Have to realise we are all different.
There's enough on the road to keep them financial (Parks) and the rest of us quite happy doing our own thing. Not that it's so easy to do nowadays.
Unless you stay WELL away from towns. But I also know a lot wouldn't be seen dead in a van park, and it has nothing to do with dollars.

I actually sold my 6.5 mtr van recently. Been round the Eastern States and up the centre. 7 1\2 times. Plus a lot of other miles. and that was my 5th van in this country.
We haven't used it apart from a few fishing trips to Seaforth and Cania over the last 5 yrs or so.
Actually running out of places we WANT to see anymore, retired back in '94.
We go O\Seas for 3 months or so each yr nowadays.
This Aug\Sept and early Oct. Peru\Mexico\US\Canada. Sth Africa and a stopover in Phuket for a coupla weeks on last leg.

It's actually very little more exxy than touring in van when you weigh it up.
We have a 10 yr $6 1\2 grand contract with US company that gives us hotels all over the world. at an average cost of $275 pw. Airfares are probably on a par with fuel Running costs over that time.
NO running\Purchase\insuring\Maint costs of larger veh plus van.
It's actually a win win.
I've done vanning for over 50 yrs. and O\Seas mainly for last 5 or 7.
There is... Actually a lot more O\Seas than we have here. just a matter of weeding out what YOU want out of it in your financial limits.

Park your van one yr and try it. You'll be surprised. Specials and combinations can make it really cheap If you willing to buy at that time for a yr or so ahead.