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Ian Bond with wife Ellen.
Photo courtesy Ellian
Productions |
GREY nomad Ian Bond has waded into the fiery debate over whether free
overnight camping should be allowed in Victoria's small Snowy River towns.
Seething caravan park operators have blasted a decision by East Gippsland
Shire councillors to make its area more friendly to grey nomads and other
travellers by offering free camping and other facilities.
But 61-year-old Mr Bond, whose home is at Paynesville, about 15km south of
Bairnsdale where the shire council is based, told Caravanning News
that opponents of the decision were out of step with modern travellers.
"If you can't, or won't, provide what the new breed of traveller wants
then it is you and your town that misses out," he warned.
"Us newer travellers are tech savvy - and it doesn't take long for word to
get around via mobile phones, bulletin boards, emails and camping books etc.
The push of just one button on a laptop can mean details of RV
unfriendliness can be instantly sent to hundreds of people, newspapers and
magazines. A town quickly and effectively gets blacklisted."
Mr Bond said 'whining' caravan park owners had not realised that people
could not be forced into accommodation they did not want.
"If the latest trend of larger, self-contained motorhomes and caravans
can't be accommodated in caravan parks then of course people are going to
move on to other camping areas.
"Let's also not forget that a large percentage of families and grey nomads
travel with pets, and any park owner who narrows their market by banning
quiet pets has only themselves to blame. While on that subject, why not
ban noisy children ... often more obnoxious than even the noisiest
animals."
He complained that many caravan parks could not accommodate his 28ft
motorhome and five-metre trailer, forcing him to search for camping areas.
"And this is what gets up the noses of some park owners who can't provide
what we want anyway!" he said.
"To us, 'free camping' does not necessarily mean no cost - it means being
'free' to park more or less where we like so we can enjoy views; it means
being 'free' of someone telling us 'lights out by 10pm'; it means being
'free' of noise created by the town environment.
"How many caravan parks
are right on main highways where trucks run, if not all night then up to
midnight and again from 5am?
"Fortunately, there are some beautiful caravan parks that go out of their
way to accommodate our motorhome and dog ... some parks will actually
doggy-sit your pet while you explore National Parks and the like.
"The previous managers of the Omeo Caravan Park provided a $10 nightly
site-only deal, without the use of showers/toilets and camp kitchen, which
we used for two nights.
"As a result, we spent over $100 in Omeo at cafes, local attractions and
fuel. These are the smart operators who attract our business, not repel
it."
Mr Bond said he was sure every caravan park owner had horror stories of
people trashing toilet blocks, stealing sink plugs or leaving hot water
taps running just for fun.
"I accept some of the arguments against free camping. Regrettably there
are idiot campers who leave a bush camp site in a mess and there are
irresponsible dog owners who don't clean up their dog's droppings, and/or
let their dogs roam free to maul other dogs.
"Loutish behaviour, vandalism and leaving rubbish etc everywhere means
authorities will react negatively to this type of activity, and rightly
so.
"However, as always, it is these extremely small irresponsible groups of
people who spoil it for the vast majority of travellers who do the right
thing. It is this minority that is always quoted as being the reason to
shut down non-caravan park camping areas."
He warned that getting councils to protect caravan parks by posting
no-camping signs where someone might camp for the night only served to
promote an RV-unfriendly impression.
"Similarly, getting council rangers or police to move people on ultimately
works against the whole community."
Mr Bond claimed East Gippsland Shire and the Gippsland Ports Authority
provided many free camping spots, hot and cold showers and black-water
dump points for boating people to use.
"The marinas seem to be just as full as ever ... I don't hear caravan park
owners whining about that," he said.
"Silly me - boats don't stay in caravan parks, do they? The principle is
the same though - provide a free facility that people want and can use and
you will attract travellers to your town. People in your town spend money. Your town prospers.
"As I understand it, that's what East Gippsland Shire Council is proposing
- limited duration rest areas and camping facilities for road travellers,
similar to what is already provided for water travellers. In other words,
an RV-friendly shire."
