Comment: Free Camping - What is the real cost?

Hi Motherhen

You have made some valid points, and whilst I have no issue with the rights of people to choose the life-style they want, I do question the expectation that others, whether they are tax payers or ratepayers should be expected to subsidise that lifestyle choice. And I acknowledge that some communities have embraced the concept of being an RV friendly town, but I suspect the financial outcome of this varies significantly from community to community, and I would highlight the experience of Paul B (WA) who commented on this very point on 3 December.

But to keep it in some sort of context, free camping will always be a part of the Australian travelling experience especially where there is no alternative available, and that is one of the appeals of travelling in Australia. Our family is no different to many others, we use a mixture of free camping, national parks, and private accommodation when travelling...

It has been suggested by other respondents that perhaps we’ll be paying $40 per night to camp in the Simpson Desert because of the Birdsville Caravan Park, but let’s be realistic, this isn’t going to happen and is indicative of the hysteria surrounding this issue. Having said that, if you intend to camp on the Diamantina River within the town confines, it might be reasonable to expect to be paying a fee (if it is permitted at all). Surely reasonable people can’t have an issue with this?

The problem is that we are producing tens of thousands of RVs and Caravans annually and seemingly with little consideration as to where they will all be accommodated when travelling, especially given most are self-sufficient for longer periods, and don’t need the traditional caravan park services. These are being promoted and sold on the idea that they are self-sufficient accommodation units and therefore will cost less to travel in from the perspective of paying overnight parking costs, the realty is this has pressured many of the ‘free’ spots to the point it is untenable for it to continue unabated. To use an analogy to highlight this point consider, many have travelled to Lake Eyre to marvel at the beauty of the water filling this vast region, it has also attracted hundreds of thousands of birds, including large numbers of pelicans, seemingly all attracted to the abundance of fish to eat – all free for the taking. But over time, like all good things, it becomes over-populated and unable to sustain the influx, and ultimately it self-implodes. This is what has happened, slowly, but surely with respect to the growing number of RVs and caravans on the road.

How can this be solved without destroying the economic value of caravan parks, or future private investment in tourism infrastructure in Australia, whilst adopting the requirements of the RV and caravan traveller remains the central question.

I have read widely on the topic and there is no doubt it is a complex issue, especially now councils are being challenged on pricing neutrality. This concept is unlikely to be ignored by the authorities, especially given there is increasing pressure on greater access to free or subsidised camping in close proximity to private accommodation providers. I said in an earlier response that taking the bat and ball and going home, which is a general theme permeating in many of the RV and caravan forums, won’t solve the problem. In fact, I suspect that the current Tasmanian issue will focus the attention of many communities across Australia to the problem at hand, and this is more likely to have an adverse impact on RV and caravan touring than it is likely to have a positive impact. That is why it is important there is rational thinking on the solution...it is very much in your interest to do so.

What the issue needs is innovative thinking that takes account of all those with a vested interest, and it is refreshing to hear that you have some thoughts on this and hopefully you are able to share these at some point.

Thanks for contributing to the discussion...

Regards, The Landy