Caravanning News is registered with the National Library of Australia's PANDORA archive

March 2015

 

 
Busy Byron Bay ... no welcome mat for illegal campers

Busy Byron Bay ... no welcome mat for illegal campers

Purge 'not aimed at homeless'

Ten fined as council gets tough with
illegal campers

Have your say

A NSW council has warned it will not tolerate illegal camping at a popular coastal holiday town.

Ten travellers caught sleeping in their vehicles at Byron Bay have already become victims of the Byron Shire Council clampdown, which cost them fines and costs totalling $5350.

All but one of the defendants admitted breaking the shire's tough camping laws during the busy Christmas and New Year festivities.

The council's Legal Services Coordinator, Ralph James, said after the case at Byron Local Court that the penalties showed tourists using camping vehicles to visit the shire could avoid having their holiday turn sour by taking simple steps.

"These latest judgements provide further evidence that illegal camping is simply not worth it," he said.

"For the minimal cost to visitors coming by vehicle to stay in one of the shire's many quality camping grounds, not only will they do the right thing by the Byron Shire and respect the community they are temporarily a part of, but they will potentially avoid a fine worth many more times the cost of staying lawfully."

Mr James thought the fines would send a "strong deterrence message", with the news spreading quickly via word of mouth amongst potential street campers.

"The reason the council continues to direct part of its limited enforcement budget to targeting illegal overnight street camping is because it is committed to supporting positive local amenity," he said.

"With close to 1.5 million visitors annually, the council and the community welcome tourism as a vital part of the shire’s economy.

"At the same time, we need to get the balance right by working to ensure that tourism maximises benefit for the community and does not disrupt town amenity."

Mr James said the council would continue working with the community to reduce the rate of illegal overnight camping.

"Council has worked with the community to reduce the frequency of illegal overnight camping in the Byron Shire by responding to resident complaints," he said.

Mr James stressed that the purge on illegal camping was not aimed at homeless people or others who had a reasonable reason for sleeping in their cars.

The court heard that six of the defendants, from south-east Queensland, were found together by council staff illegally camping overnight in Border Street, Belongil.

One of the men in this group chose not to plead guilty and failed to appear in court. He was fined $700, including costs.

Another three defendants were German visitors found by council staff illegally camping overnight near the site of the Byron Community Markets.

A tenth defendant was also found by council staff illegally camping overnight in Border Street, Belongil.

An 11th defendant pleaded not guilty to overnight camping.

He will face court again on April 7.

BACK TO CARAVANNING NEWS MAIN PAGE


 No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without
the prior written permission of Dennis Amor.

Copyright 2005 Dennis Amor
All Rights Reserved

Caravanning News advert

Caravan Council of Australia advert

Kui Parks advert