gordon_adl wrote:

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I'd just like to thank those of you have sent me personal messages of support. I can fully understand why some hesitate to support in public due to fear of personal attacks.

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 Hi Gordon,

I support your views 100%. If there's a free camp use it, if it suits you. If you have to pay, pay, or move on. I think the silent majority are willing to pay their way in the world.

I think it's pathetic that one person had to resort to a belittleing, bullying post, for who knows what purpose. There was no contribution to the topic, just an attack on you. I normally skip over this persons posts as they usually full of twaddle. Unfurtunatly this morning his attack stood out.

Cheers Pete

 

Santa wrote:

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Hmmm, I don't see any belittling, bullying or attacking posts, mind you this one came close.

What I see in the main is adult debate on what can be quite a  polarising subject, those that wan't/expect it all, preferably at no charge and those who are happy to gratefully accept what is available, count me in the latter group.

-- Edited by Santa on Monday 29th of April 2013 12:23:36 PM

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 Santa, the posts were removed. I support small business where ever possible, including caravan parks. 

Cheers Pete

jetj wrote:

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I love the www.freechoicecamping.com.au  site and appreciate the work of those involved very much Lorries.

There are so many facets to the arguement on free and cheap camping and views so varied. I'd like to think everyone responsible, respectful and caring of the environment and the privilege but so many negative stories out there.

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 I also think these good people who have this fantastic new site up and running have got onto a winner here.Badgers site  is not undated enough and seeing the owners of a c/ park can post onto it ,always makes me wonder why that is, as HEY they sure ain't going to give their place a bad rap. I was reading one report on a certain c/ park on it and out of the 26 BAD reviews one was so good it sounded like you would be staying at the Ritz ,So one would presume that came from the owner or a very slack camper.

Yep, once you discount the cost of the rig, the fuel, the supplies, and all the other things you need for camping, it's free. Hehe.

And isn't that what we are all about, really - FREE CHOICE!!!!!!!!

Well said webby52

When the available government and university reports are accessed, and the site I linked to earlier provides some links, it might be surprising to many how government wants to encourage grey nomad tourism, and there is no angst that I could find regarding free, independent or other camping. GNs bring much needed trade to small towns and labour too.

Here is an example. It is only the media release and does not do the report justice, but it is a taste for those who want to look further.

MEDIA RELEASE
Regional Queensland to benefit from grey tourism
boost
A Queensland Parliamentary Committee today released its report into boosting grey nomad tourism in regional Queensland.
The Committees report made 19 recommendations aimed at increasing the number of grey nomads visiting regional Queensland and using their tourism dollars to improve local economies.

Grey nomads are a significant tourism market for regional Queensland, Economic Development Committee Chair, Mr Evan
Moorhead MP, said. Although grey nomads tend to spend less on average per day than other visitors to Queensland, they often travel for longer periods and visit regional areas, Mr Moorhead said.

The report recommends that the Queensland Government provides marketing expertise to local councils to help council officers develop their own grey nomad tourism industry. Grant funding would also be available to regional tourism organisations outside south-east Queensland to assist with marketing regional attractions to grey nomads.

The committee believes increasing grey nomad numbers would significantly benefit regional communities because their grey tourist dollars have a larger impact there. Providing assistance and funding to local councils and regional tourism organisations, which have the local knowledge to know where best to use this, would be a significant outcome of this inquiry, Mr Moorhead said.

To address skills shortages in regional Queensland, the report also recommends investigating the benefits of employing grey nomads in social service areas, such as child protection and community corrections.

The report is available on the committees Internet site at:
http://www.parliament.qld 17 November 2011

I am wondering how many GNs ever respond to these inquiries. But regardless of that we would be well advised to come forward individually or in groups to talk with political representative and contribute in a practical way. Local government struggles to find practical expertise in these areas. That would be the first and most crucial limiting factor in meeting GN needs and in encouraging GNs to their towns and local government areas. They need honest down to Earth assessments, comments and ideas. We need to empower ourselves by wandering into the offices of politicians with ideas and solutions.

Sounds like Queensland are a step ahead of the rest of Oz Johnq, thanks for the info!

So true GaryKelly - a lot of these smaller towns could not support a caravan park as such, but by putting in a free,freedom or independent area(whatever you want to call it), where we can get water, and dump a load, can bring money into the town - if there is a donation box, all the better, most of us appreciate the facilities offered and are only too happy to put in a donation. That is the way I see it anyway.

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jetj wrote:

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I love the www.freechoicecamping.com.au  site and appreciate the work of those involved very much Lorries

I have been unable to find the above site is this the site referred to http://www.freechoicecamps.com.au/

Cheers

David

Love your post! LOL

03_troopy wrote:

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I always thought the term "free camping" referred to the fact that you're independant and free from the need to use any of the conveniences offered by CP's for those that prefer that type of thing. Sort of like "free climbing", free from climbing aids such as ropes etc.. "free diving".. free from the use of breathing apperatus.. free balling... hmm OK maybe not the last one....

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 Yeh agree with you all the way,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, we are a  free country,,,,,,,,,, free to do xyz, but some things we pay for but we are still freeeeeeeeeeeeeee to choose

Ontos45 wrote:

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~~~SNIPPED~~~
Saw earlier someone having a go at the CMCA. Maybe next time they use a dump point out the back of Bourke, they note who assisted in payment for that dump point.

Peter

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 Gday...

That woz me ... I have no problem with CMCA and what is has done for the travelling public generally through its support of its members - and the installation of dumps is an excellent example. They do much to support their members, and some of it washes off to help non-members.

However, the campaign being waged by CMCA to Shires/Government etc trying to get more/improved "free camping" and "parking" spots for 'travelling bank accounts' I personally find too agressive, bordering on belligerant, and is creating an "image" of ALL old farts in motorhomes (and caravans). Demanding an outcome is different to identifying a need for change and negotiating a solution that is mutually acceptable.

I base this opinion from listening to CMCA officials who were being interviewed on North and Central QLD ABC radio late last year - very agressive gentlemen demanding councils respond and provide facilities or their towns would be added to the list of 'unfriendly towns' produced by CMCA. Some of the articles in print also quoted these agressive officials. People in these areas were responding as one would expect and becoming very anti-GN traveller.

I had, and have, no intention of offending anyone who is a CMCA member - I just do not like the way they (CMCA through its hierachy) are pushing their campaign and the negative impact it is having on people's opinion on my lifestyle.

'nuff said - Cheers and happy travelling wherever ya park ya rig

Cheers - John

-- Edited by rockylizard on Wednesday 1st of May 2013 08:06:19 AM

What is in fact happening in Australia is that the CRVA is funding a very well organised campaign to close down freedom camping, you only have to look at what is happening in Tasmania to see that. At every opportunity they turn up with solicitors in tow and badger councils and governments with "unfair competition", "competitive neutrality" and "non compliant camping" claims.

Bugsy - I know that they say this is happening in Tasmania - but we have just spent four months over there, of 135 nights we only stayed in caravan parks four nights! The rest were at free camps, or donation,and the occasional $5 fee - Great spots, right on pristine beaches or in some amazing country.
What we found was that, especially over the Christmas/New Year holiday period, the locals (Tasmanians) are the the ones who fill these "free camps", some have been going to the same spot for over 30 years, whole families gather there - they put their vans in at the end of November and don't leave till the end of January!
Imagine the hullaballoo if these places were to become a paid (at the same or close to the caravan park rate) - these locals would be up in arms - there would be a heck of a stink.

We also found that these camps were kept very clean, even though there were no bins provided, just pit toilets, people took care to contain their rubbish, and take it out with them for disposal - as we did, and always do.

I am not, and never will be, a member of CMCA - it is too regulated for my taste - and yes, enjoy the benefits they obtain for the travelling public, but I have heard the interview you talked about - and it was an aggressive attack, and to my mind does not put the CMCA in a good light, if that is the type of person who is representing them.
My thoughts, for what the are worth.

-- Edited by jules47 on Thursday 9th of May 2013 07:29:32 AM