Hi to all who enjoy
free camping below is a letter extract sent byVicParks [the caravan parks ass ]to it's members .It should be of concern to all who want freedom of choice as to where to
camp .
It shows the determination of these groups ,australia wide, to take that choice from you .
It is obvious that their ultimate aim is : YOU will
camp /sleep in a 'legal '? caravan
park or pay similar fees for fewer facilities.
As many are aware they tried to have o/n
camping banned in QLD mrd rest areas some years ago & had a short term sucess until the minister of the day bowed to public outcry & rescinded the decision ,but they havn't given up I believe NSWrta are reviewing their policy.
They have had this done in the name of "competitive neutrality " backed by the QLD OMBUDSMAN forced
Barcaldine council to encrease it's showground fee to $20powered from previous$10 .
Blackall council closed its town
camp area under the same pressure.
Similar pressure is being applied to
Forbes council regarding its free areas .
NSW NAT PARKS has given the need for beng "neutral to commercial establihments" [ competitive neutrality ]as one of the reasons for its massive encrease fees .
If you wish to retain your freedom of choice you have a big job ahead . it need leters to your local member , council etc .
EXTRACT FROM VicPARK'S LETTER
An intensive "campaign was carried out by VicParks through mailings to various government departments and Ministers. A template letter was made available to VicParks Members to be send to local MP’s and schools etc. to raise the awareness of this issue, from which a significant number of replies have been received. We still have some way to go with this issue, but between the VicParks approach and that of other state associations the topic is gaining high recognition at all levels of government Australia-wide.
The VicParks Committee of Management identified the emergence of unregistered caravan parks and the nation-wide increase in illegal
camping as a threat to the caravan
park industry during their 2007/08 Strategic Planning process and as such has formed a Working Group to deal with this issue.
VicParks have been in active contact with a range of organisations in an attempt to prevent the proliferation of unregistered caravan parks.
It is important that we target our efforts carefully as we do not want the industry to be seen as stifling tourism growth or preventing local communities from holding events vital to their area. Nor can we be seen to be campaigning against the proper use of rest areas. What we can, and are doing, is arguing that the inappropriate use of crown land, school grounds, rest areas and the like is not beneficial to the tourism industry, is unfair to the legitimate operators who must comply with onerous regulations and operating standards, and is potentially dangerous to users who will ultimately seek compensation if injured or suffer vehicle damage from the body who
allowed such overnight
camping etc. Our intention is to fight this battle on solid ground and avoid all the emotive rhetoric which is often put forward by user groups and the media.”