March 2012

 

Increase in unauthorised use of public land

Council invites feedback on free camping

Draft policy to go on public exhibition

Have your say

BELLINGEN Shire Council in NSW is seeking public comment on its policy towards free-camping caravanners and motorhomers.

The council, on the state's mid-north coast, has always adopted an informal 'one night, move on' approach to overnighting travellers but now believes it should take a more serious look at the issue.

In a report, senior environmental health officer Garry Hankinson said the shire was experiencing an increase in the unauthorised use of council-controlled public lands as camping areas.

"Anecdotal evidence suggests sheer numbers and the tendency for some campers to push the boundaries in regard to the number of nights stayed sees the need to formalise a policy," he said.

The Crown Land Division of NSW Department of Primary Industries had indicated that compliance with caravan and camping legislation, particularly on Crown land, was a significant issue right across Australia.

It said moves should be developed and implemented to discourage unlawful operation of caravan and camping facilities and to accommodate the increasing trend of self-sufficient mobile dwellings.

Potential problems associated with unofficial camping included environmental pollution from sewage, grey water and rubbish disposal; the adequacy of toilet facilities; health, safety and risk management; safety and security; lighting and fire control facilities.

Mr Hankinson said that in the past, free-camping had not been a major issue but had now grown to a point where there was need for a formalised policy.

One councillor pointed out that Bellingen did not have a caravan park and he could not support any policy that merely moved travellers on.

The council decided that its draft public lands camping policy should go on public display and be included in its website for 28 days.

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