Proposed changes to the WA <span class="highlight">Caravan</span> Parks and Camping Grounds Act

Submitted: Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 11:05
ThreadID: 130691 Views:2724 Replies:2 FollowUps:4
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I've just been reading through the proposed changes to the WA Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act. I was mainly interested in the proposed changes to how Rest areas are managed. I've copy and pasted the section below. I'd be interested in other peoples option.

"Roadside rest areas:
The current regulations allow a person to camp in a roadside rest area for 24 hours in a caravan or other vehicle. The enforcement of stopping in roadside rest areas is currently undertaken in an ad hoc manner, as it is unclear which agency is responsible for inspections and enforcement. During consultation it was proposed that roadside rest areas should be dealt with under existing road and parking legislation rather than the Caravan Parks Act. Approximately 56 per cent of respondents supported this proposal. As the proposed legislation is focused on camping, rather than stopping, and roadside rest areas are provided for fatigue management under Main Roads legislation, these areas will no longer be covered under the Caravan Parks Act.
If a person overstays at a roadside rest area, this will be treated as a traffic offence, and authorised officers will be able to enforce it similar to illegal parking. It has been raised that due to the number of overseas and interstate users, if a local government infringes a user for overstaying, it is easy for the user to give false information, and the infringement notice is never paid and cannot be tracked. However, if a roadside rest area infringement becomes enforceable as a traffic offence, the registered owner of the car could be tracked through the registration number. If the vehicle is a hire car, the hire company can identify the hirer of the car at the time of the offence. This adds an additional measure of accountability and transparency for both roadside rest area users and local governments. "
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Reply By: Member - Ross N (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 13:29

Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 13:29
I suppose that makes sense. There obviously needs to be some regulation of these areas.
If people were allowed to stay indefinitely the end result would probably be a total ban
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Reply By: Trevor&Verna - Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 17:45

Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 17:45
I would urge all West Australians who like to camp to read the Consultation Paper relating to this re-ramped legislation and make their submissions. It is available from the Dept of Local Government and Community website.
Many are finding it draconian and restrictive, with permits and/or licences for 'just about anything' with regard to camping.
Including the need of a permit to park your van at someones place for more than 3 days.
I tried to attach a letter written to the Kalgoorlie Miner editor (24/10/2015) with their interpretation on what the legislation might drive (I think I failed).
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Follow Up By: Member - John - Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 18:35

Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 18:35
Trevor, the letter posted, you just have to click on it. The proposal certainly is draconian......... For those planning to visit the state and camp it makes it very difficult if you don't know. I know ignorance is not an excuse, but bloody hell, I should be. How is one supposed to get these permits and what happens if friends turn up where you are camped and end up staying for a few days.......... bizare.
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Follow Up By: Cruznoz - Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 18:58

Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 18:58
Trevor & Verna,
The writer of that letter has totally misread the proposed changes.
- The legislation requiring you to have written permission from council to camp for more then 3 days on private land has been in place for many years and hasn't changed. Its designed to control the growth of "Shanty "towns on any old block of land that someone might choose to squat on. Sensible legislation, I would have thought. Having friends park their caravan on your driveway for a week while they are visiting you is not going to attract attention.This is what happens now and its not going to change.Unless they are dumping their porta loo water in the storm water drain or something similar, they probably wont be bothered.
The new legislation proposes to charge a fee for this approval. Just another administration fee I suppose.
- Where the letter has totally got it wrong is the bit about requiring a camping and event permit to go camping at Rowles lagoon or Niagara Dam. Under the old rules any camp ground that is managed under the public sector such as National Park campgrounds, is exempt from the current legislation. Under the changes all National park camp grounds will have to comply. Rowles Lagoon is managed by Dpaw and it is Dpaw that will have to apply for the required camping permits, not the camping public.
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Follow Up By: Bevin M - Monday, Oct 26, 2015 at 07:12

Monday, Oct 26, 2015 at 07:12
Whilst Cruznoz has clarified the situation regarding Dpaw camps which is correct. The impact is when 2 or more units camp on land which is not a licensed Holiday Park or Nature Based Park. In such instances the landowner will be required to submit an application application to Local Govt. inclusive of a fee and a "Management Plan" and it then be inspected by the Council.

To suggest provisions re parking on Private land for up to 3 days in the current legislation is not an argument in that Government has identified a need to review the current legislation dur to a number of factors inclusive to movement towards self containment of Motorhomes and Caravans.

Also to suggest that because an activity does not attract attention, then it is okay even though it is illegal under the respective legsilation.

the following is the link to the Dept. website:

http://dlg.wa.gov.au/Content/Legislation/UnderReview/CaravanCampingLegislation/ConsultationPaper2.aspx
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Oct 26, 2015 at 15:05

Monday, Oct 26, 2015 at 15:05
As Cruznoz states, restrictions on sleeping in mobile accommodation have been the same for a long time, and are fairly standard across the states.

I urge all travellers where ever you are from to take the time to read the links, and have YOUR say on areas that are relevant to your style of travel. Cut off date is 30th November.

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