May 2009

Late arrivals have nowhere to stay, claim

Parks asked to help seaside town stamp out illegal camping

CARAVAN parks are being asked to help stamp out illegal overnight camping in a popular NSW seaside holiday town.

Byron Shire Council will urge caravan parks in Byron Bay to introduce late-night check-ins in a bid to stamp out the rising number of travellers overnighting in the town's parks, reserves, streets and beachside areas.

According to a report to the council, travellers arriving late at night have told rangers they had no choice but to overnight illegally because caravan parks and other accommodation providers were closed.

While the main offenders seem to be campervans, some caravanners are also guilty of breaking the rules.

The report dismisses the idea of providing minimal overnight rest areas in the town, pointing that these already exist alongside the nearby Pacific Highway at Bangalow, Tyagarah and North Ocean Shores, all with adequate toilets and other facilities.

The council says it receives regular complaints from local residents about noise, disturbance, litter and rubbish, loss of neighbourhood amenity and people defecating next to their vehicles.

Rangers carry out regular patrols of streets and areas known for illegal overnighting. "Where people are detected camping they are directed to move on, and may be issued with on-the-spot penalty notices for parking infringements where applicable," the report says.

"However, even with the best intent and with vigorous enforcement, response is still a reactive rather than a proactive approach and only addresses the problem after the damage or nuisance has occurred," it adds.

Tough enforcement of no-camping laws will be carried out by rangers so that strict enforcement becomes well known by ‘word of mouth'.

The council will also liaise with caravan parks to provide a system of after-hours or 24-hour access.

Large portable electronic message boards will also be hired during peak holiday periods - at $90 a day - warning that illegal and street camping will not be tolerated.

The report acknowledges that the council and shire could be perceived as being a 'non-friendly' destination for travellers, with caravan and motorhome organisations encouraging members to bypass the area.

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