CHANGE OF VENUE FOR WA GTG - YORNANING NO LONGER ALLOW FREE CAMPING

Vic41 · Guru

CHANGE OF VENUE FOR WA GTG - YORNANING NO LONGER ALLOW FREE CAMPING

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

I have booked in the CP at Popanyinning Laze Away Caravan Park

Vic maybe a PM to all who said they were coming

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Monday 20th of January 2014 09:28:55 PM

Vic41 · Guru

Good idea Ron, thanks, I have let some know where I had their email addresses, but not for all so have to pm them and hope they see it.

If anyone has email addresses for some of the others could you let them know also in case they don't visit the forum often. Suggest copy and paste my original post here or the GN link.

I have told the Cuballing pub why we have cancelled and also let Camps Australia Wide know to amend their listing from night to day.

The temps for Pingelly are a bit higher than for those at Cuballing. We have booked in for the three nights (Fri Sat & Sun) at Popanyinning also is Mrs Wombat going????

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Vic41 wrote:
Good idea Ron, thanks, I have let some know where I had their email addresses, but not for all so have to pm them and hope they see it.
If anyone has email addresses for some of the others could you let them know also in case they don't visit the forum often. Suggest copy and paste my original post here or the GN link.
I have told the Cuballing pub why we have cancelled and also let Camps Australia Wide know to amend their listing from night to day.
The temps for Pingelly are a bit higher than for those at Cuballing. We have booked in for the three nights (Fri Sat & Sun) at Popanyinning also is Mrs Wombat going????

Bugga me, yes I can't go without my cook. biggrin

Vic41 · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
Vic41 wrote:
Good idea Ron, thanks, I have let some know where I had their email addresses, but not for all so have to pm them and hope they see it.
If anyone has email addresses for some of the others could you let them know also in case they don't visit the forum often. Suggest copy and paste my original post here or the GN link.
I have told the Cuballing pub why we have cancelled and also let Camps Australia Wide know to amend their listing from night to day.
The temps for Pingelly are a bit higher than for those at Cuballing. We have booked in for the three nights (Fri Sat & Sun) at Popanyinning also is Mrs Wombat going????
Bugga me, yes I can't go without my cook.

Great Wombat, I have pm'd or emailed all now, hope I didn't miss anyone!

Bunkerbob · Senior Member

Just went onto the Lazeaway Caravan Park website. They only have 14 powered sites and 6 unpowered. Appears to be both at $25.00. Hope they don't mind a generator if we score an unpowered site.

We are in Albany probably leaving on the 27th, Monday. I'll ring the Popanyinning Laze Away Caravan Park tomorrow and book in for Friday and Saturday. We'll probably head back to Albany on Sunday as I found a job. They wanted me to start today but have told them the 5th, may amend that to the 4th of February.

Look forward too catching you all up there.

Bob

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Bunkerbob wrote:
Just went onto the Lazeaway Caravan Park website. They only have 14 powered sites and 6 unpowered. Appears to be both at $25.00. Hope they don't mind a generator if we score an unpowered site.

We are in Albany probably leaving on the 27th, Monday. I'll ring the Popanyinning Laze Away Caravan Park tomorrow and book in for Friday and Saturday. We'll probably head back to Albany on Sunday as I found a job. They wanted me to start today but have told them the 5th, may amend that to the 4th of February.

Look forward too catching you all up there.

Bob

Bob I would think that a cp would not allow generators, but I have been wrong before.

Dunmowin · Guru

Bunkerbob wrote:
Just went onto the Lazeaway Caravan Park website. They only have 14 powered sites and 6 unpowered. Appears to be both at $25.00. Hope they don't mind a generator if we score an unpowered site.

We are in Albany probably leaving on the 27th, Monday. I'll ring the Popanyinning Laze Away Caravan Park tomorrow and book in for Friday and Saturday. We'll probably head back to Albany on Sunday as I found a job. They wanted me to start today but have told them the 5th, may amend that to the 4th of February.

Look forward too catching you all up there.

Bob

Bunker B, we will probably miss you, as we won't be there until late on 2nd or morning or 3rd, and will probably go to Pumphries Bridge. It you want to meet up with us on the way through, we are in Wagin (where this is a cheap camp at the show grounds). We missed the chance of catching up in Esperance, would be a shame to miss out again. PM us if you want.

Vic41 · Guru

Bunkerbob wrote:
Just went onto the Lazeaway Caravan Park website. They only have 14 powered sites and 6 unpowered. Appears to be both at $25.00. Hope they don't mind a generator if we score an unpowered site.

We are in Albany probably leaving on the 27th, Monday. I'll ring the Popanyinning Laze Away Caravan Park tomorrow and book in for Friday and Saturday. We'll probably head back to Albany on Sunday as I found a job. They wanted me to start today but have told them the 5th, may amend that to the 4th of February.

Look forward too catching you all up there.

Bob

The CP owners said they were not too busy Bob, so sure you could get a site, it is a huge area in the park so would probably be able to give you an area for your genny, but ring them first to check, if the cost is the same you may as well go for power, see the first post for their number.

-- Edited by Vic41 on Tuesday 21st of January 2014 12:35:09 AM

Bunkerbob · Senior Member

Probably head up via Wagin and catch up with Dunmowin then to the Lazeaway CP. Oh, the decisions when you go full-time on the road.

Bob

Vic41 · Guru

Bunkerbob wrote:
Probably head up via Wagin and catch up with Dunmowin then to the Lazeaway CP. Oh, the decisions when you go full-time on the road.

Bob

Look forward to catching up Bob, see you when you get there, the property is near the highway so they have mains power, wheat farmers last time I saw their crops, got a nice feed of yabbies from their dam one of the times I went there, the farmer lent us a net..... smile

-- Edited by Vic41 on Tuesday 21st of January 2014 12:46:12 AM

Dunmowin · Guru

Bunkerbob wrote:
Probably head up via Wagin and catch up with Dunmowin then to the Lazeaway CP. Oh, the decisions when you go full-time on the road.

Bob

Bob, will I recognise you from your avatar?

pws25 · Senior Member

Hi Vic, thanks for the pm re the dam, we are headin t Albany for awhile, stayin at rifle club. Not sure if we will come backup to stay in a c/p.... Caravaners are still campin at the dam spose its not been policed that regular?

Am I been cynical???? but,you can go there as a day visitor, use the toilet, swim in the water,play in the playground or use the bbq & the council is covered by insurance, but not covered if you sleep there???? wtf!

The ''no camping'' sign there directs you to the lazaway c/p??? ..... has ''somebody'' been in the councils ear??.as I said, maaaayybe I,m too cynical?

ps. wonder how ''Greens lake'' got roun this??

Bunkerbob · Senior Member

Maybe Green Lakes being in Victoria helps. Just a thought. Different States, different rates.

Bob

Bunkerbob · Senior Member

Just booked into the Lazeaway. Started negotiations for a group discount. We plan to stay Friday and Saturday but need to be back in Albany by Tuesday for work. Bugger, got a job driving a Road Train. The owner sounds lovely.

Bob

pws25 · Senior Member

Gday Bob, no not a state ''thing'' Glen Mervyn dam 150ks away from Yornaning is always chocka with families...........

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Bunkerbob wrote:
Just booked into the Lazeaway. Started negotiations for a group discount. We plan to stay Friday and Saturday but need to be back in Albany by Tuesday for work. Bugger, got a job driving a Road Train. The owner sounds lovely.

Bob

what happened about the group discount, I did not even think about that

Bunkerbob · Senior Member

Didn't get that far as to discuss what the discount wa, I just suggested a discount because of the number of us who will be travelling there. Maybe you could continue the discussion. Tag. You're it.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Bunkerbob wrote:
Didn't get that far as to discuss what the discount wa, I just suggested a discount because of the number of us who will be travelling there. Maybe you could continue the discussion. Tag. You're it.

Vic's in charge so I tag him, he's it biggrin

Vic41 · Guru

Bunkerbob wrote:
Didn't get that far as to discuss what the discount wa, I just suggested a discount because of the number of us who will be travelling there. Maybe you could continue the discussion. Tag. You're it.

Good work BB, not sure how many yet, see what the good lady that runs the park says when we get there, the old saying if you don't ask you don't get, $25 seems a reasonable price though compared to some. I love the attitude of the lady that runs the park, when I asked what are the book in book out times, she said when you get here and when you leave...... smile

Not a very good campers kitchen there, but great ablution block, anyone wanting a BBQ might have to bring their own, although I think I did notice a BBQ in the kitchen and a pile of wood there, not sure what the fire restrictions are for private property at this time of the year so may not be allowed. I went there in winter once and we had a roaring pit fire going, fantastic on a cold night.

They are very helpful there so might have a gas BBQ on hand, beaut people, you don't see much of the husband he's too busy on the farm (wheat).

Tip for anyone travelling through Wandering, the town boasts a modern self serve (bank card payment) fuel station in the main street, last time I was there it was charging Perth prices for petrol and diesel.

I have posted a couple of shots of Lazeaway on the GTG thread. Please note that Lazeaway CP is about 15 kms south of the Popayinning Store/Mini Mart/Takeaway and PO both on the Gt Southern Hwy.

I am not in charge by the way (thanks Wombat) I am just helping to coordinate the GTG, anyone welcome to help. smile

-- Edited by Vic41 on Tuesday 21st of January 2014 11:24:42 PM

Vic41 · Guru

Looks like most have chosen the Lazeaway CP at Popanyinning, so if nobody has an objection we will go with that as the main alternative. The camp kitchen is very, very basic, so will need to have own cooking facilities for either inside or outside the van, also the usual camping chairs etc, BYO everything.

Core dates are Fri 31st Jan, Sat and Sunday 1st and 2nd Feb, but up to those attending when they arrive or how long they stay etc.

Neil suggest book anyway if you want a powered site you can always cancel it if the van is not ready. Also for anyone else that wants power.

As Dunmowins will not be arriving in the area until late Sunday, they have chosen Pumphrey's Bridge where they will stay longer. Perhaps some of us that are leaving Lazeaway can pop in to visit or stay a day or two. It is still a choice for anyone who wants to free camp instead.

Delta18 · Guru

Yep, sounds good, Vic!

I'll phone and book us in tomorrow.

May drop in to Pumphrey's on the way home.

Cheers

Neil

Vic41 · Guru

pws25 wrote:
Hi Vic, thanks for the pm re the dam, we are headin t Albany for awhile, stayin at rifle club. Not sure if we will come backup to stay in a c/p.... Caravaners are still campin at the dam spose its not been policed that regular?
Am I been cynical???? but,you can go there as a day visitor, use the toilet, swim in the water,play in the playground or use the bbq & the council is covered by insurance, but not covered if you sleep there???? wtf!
The ''no camping'' sign there directs you to the lazaway c/p??? ..... has ''somebody'' been in the councils ear??.as I said, maaaayybe I,m too cynical?

ps. wonder how ''Greens lake'' got roun this??

Hi Phil, there was a post much earlier in the piece elsewhere about finding an alternative to Greens in Victoria for WA GTG's we were thinking of making it Yornaning thinking it was a camping area as it was shown in the Camps 7 as such. The Cuballing Shire Ceo sent me this reply today regards the dam, which I sincerely thank her for, many shires would not bother. I have advised Camps Australia wide their publication needs amending, so assume the next edition (and online updates in the meantime) will show the day status of the dam.

From a stint a caretaker on a camping area, I know that part of their insurance deal was that for after hours they had to have a representative on site (caretaker) to be covered by insurance during non business hours, I assume this is the case here as well.

Here is the CEO's reply;

Hello Vic

We contacted Camps Australia in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 advising them that Yornaning Dam is not a camping area. I can assure you that we did not request it be included in the first place.

We have a caravan park in our shire and it is not fair for Council to compete with them. The regulations regarding campsites are very comprehensive and our insurer has advised us that we should not allow camping at the dam.

The only business we have is the hotel which does an extremely good trade and the roadhouse. Also, we have never noted campers from Yornaning stopping in Cuballing, they drive straight through to Narrogin which has a Coles so I dont think our economy will be affected if our Yornaning Dam entry ever gets removed.

I can sympathise with your intentions as my husband and I are caravanners too with self contained van so we can stop at places other than caravan parks which are becoming very expensive for a long road trip, however you must understand that we must take our insurers advice. Last year we had two large trees fall down (one demolishing the toilet). If one were to fall on campers and an injury occurred we would be in big trouble.

Kind Regards and happy caravanning

Eva

Eva Haydon

Chief Executive Officer

Shire of Cuballing

PO Box 13

Cuballing WA 6311

Phone: 08 9883 6031 Mobile: 0427836031

...................................................................................

I really appreciate the Shires response and explanation, as I said, not many would bother. Please note the Dam is still a day rest area and is on the National Public Toilet Map https://toiletmap.gov.au/

A google search shows camping posters dated 2013 saying it is a free camp, but these are not from the shire. One is a U tube video of the area.

http://www.campingwa.net/index.php?topic=131.0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBiXftjIRqo

I have made the shire aware of it, this was also part of my reason for choosing this place for our GTG originally.

-- Edited by Vic41 on Wednesday 22nd of January 2014 12:13:03 PM

villatranquilla · Guru

Vic41 wrote:
CEO's reply
I can sympathise with your intentions as my husband and I are caravanners too with self contained van so we can stop at places other than caravan parks which are becoming very expensive for a long road trip, however you must understand that we must take our insurers advice. Last year we had two large trees fall down (one demolishing the toilet). If one were to fall on campers and an injury occurred we would be in big trouble.
Kind Regards and happy caravanning
Eva
Eva Haydon
Chief Executive Officer
Shire of Cuballing
PO Box 13
Cuballing WA 6311
Phone: 08 9883 6031 Mobile: 0427836031
...................................................................................
I really appreciate the Shires response and explanation, as I said, not many would bother. Please note the Dam is still a day rest area and is on the National Public Toilet Map https://toiletmap.gov.au/
-- Edited by Vic41 on Wednesday 22nd of January 2014 11:48:07 AM

so the trees will only fall on overnight campers - not day trippers - comforting to know especially as most 'free' campers rely on solar and don't park under trees anyway - lol

-- Edited by villatranquilla on Wednesday 22nd of January 2014 12:08:48 PM

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

villatranquilla wrote:
Vic41 wrote:
CEO's reply
I can sympathise with your intentions as my husband and I are caravanners too with self contained van so we can stop at places other than caravan parks which are becoming very expensive for a long road trip, however you must understand that we must take our insurers advice. Last year we had two large trees fall down (one demolishing the toilet). If one were to fall on campers and an injury occurred we would be in big trouble.
Kind Regards and happy caravanning
Eva
Eva Haydon
Chief Executive Officer
Shire of Cuballing
PO Box 13
Cuballing WA 6311
Phone: 08 9883 6031 Mobile: 0427836031
...................................................................................
I really appreciate the Shires response and explanation, as I said, not many would bother. Please note the Dam is still a day rest area and is on the National Public Toilet Map https://toiletmap.gov.au/
-- Edited by Vic41 on Wednesday 22nd of January 2014 11:48:07 AM
so the trees will only fall on overnight campers - not day trippers - comforting to know especially as most 'free' campers rely on solar and don't park under trees anyway - lol

-- Edited by villatranquilla on Wednesday 22nd of January 2014 12:08:48 PM

I think the council is just making excuses, typical council officer, intelligence as low as a snake's belly IMHO

I must remember that tree limb's in WA only fall during the night, what a load of crap.

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Wednesday 22nd of January 2014 12:13:58 PM

Vic41 · Guru

Vic41 wrote:
pws25 wrote:
Hi Vic, thanks for the pm re the dam, we are headin t Albany for awhile, stayin at rifle club. Not sure if we will come backup to stay in a c/p.... Caravaners are still campin at the dam spose its not been policed that regular?
   Am I been cynical???? but,you can go there as a day visitor, use the toilet, swim in the water,play in the playground or use the bbq & the council is covered by insurance, but not covered if you sleep there???? wtf!
The ''no camping'' sign there directs you to the lazaway c/p??? .....    has ''somebody'' been in the councils ear??.as I said, maaaayybe I,m too cynical?

ps. wonder how ''Greens lake'' got roun this??
Hi Phil, there was a post much earlier in the piece elsewhere about finding an alternative to Greens in Victoria for WA GTG's we were thinking of making it Yornaning thinking it was a camping area as it was shown in the Camps 7 as such. The Cuballing Shire Ceo sent me this reply today regards the dam, which I sincerely thank her for, many shires would not bother. I have advised Camps Australia wide their publication needs amending, so assume the next edition (and online updates in the meantime) will show the day status of the dam.
From a stint a caretaker on a camping area, I know that part of their insurance deal was that for after hours they had to have a representative on site (caretaker) to be covered by insurance during non business hours, I assume this is the case here as well.
Here is the CEO's reply;
Hello Vic
We contacted Camps Australia in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 advising them that Yornaning Dam is not a camping area. I can assure you that we did not request it be included in the first place.
We have a caravan park in our shire and it is not fair for Council to compete with them. The regulations regarding campsites are very comprehensive and our insurer has advised us that we should not allow camping at the dam.
The only business we have is the hotel which does an extremely good trade and the roadhouse. Also, we have never noted campers from Yornaning stopping in Cuballing, they drive straight through to Narrogin which has a Coles so I dont think our economy will be affected if our Yornaning Dam entry ever gets removed.
I can sympathise with your intentions as my husband and I are caravanners too with self contained van so we can stop at places other than caravan parks which are becoming very expensive for a long road trip, however you must understand that we must take our insurers advice. Last year we had two large trees fall down (one demolishing the toilet). If one were to fall on campers and an injury occurred we would be in big trouble.
Kind Regards and happy caravanning
Eva
Eva Haydon
Chief Executive Officer
Shire of Cuballing
PO Box 13
Cuballing WA   6311
Phone: 08 9883 6031 Mobile: 0427836031
...................................................................................
I really appreciate the Shires response and explanation, as I said, not many would bother.   Please note the Dam is still a day rest area and is on the National Public Toilet Map https://toiletmap.gov.au/
A google search shows camping posters dated 2013 saying it is a free camp, but these are not from the shire.  One is a U tube video of the area.
http://www.campingwa.net/index.php?topic=131.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBiXftjIRqo
I have made the shire aware of it, this was also part of my reason for choosing this place for our GTG originally.

See further comments I have added at the bottom of this post, I have given the CEO a link to this thread so please respect her comments, irrespective of you views, but your opinions should be noted too if she reads this.

Vic41 · Guru

Delta18 wrote:
Yep, sounds good, Vic!

I'll phone and book us in tomorrow.

May drop in to Pumphrey's on the way home.

Cheers

Neil

Thanks Neil,

Will look forward to catching up. smile

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Vic, feedback to any official office bearer is always good, even if it is not what one wants to hear I still think the CEO is talking a load of crap, IMHO and if she like's to attend our gathering she will be most welcome and I will tell her face to face what I think of her excuse.

My comments here were made after I read your post about the CEO being given this site to read, all good feedback for any CEO.

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Wednesday 22nd of January 2014 12:41:41 PM

Vic41 · Guru

No worries Wombat, I am not asking anyone not to express an opinion, however if the CEO joins the forum either in her own right or as RV traveller to give a reply, then we need to respect her opinion too.

My comment was not directed at your post personally.

These public links made in 2013 by others can see how we can think free camping was allowed. A couple of years ago I camped there overnight, two caravans were well set up near the toilets with awnings/annex etc, another one over the western side and me in the middle with my then campervan. During the day, a ute with a council logo on it drove in, drove around the site and out again, we weren't approached in any way.

A google search shows camping posters dated 2013 saying it is a free camp, but these are not from the shire. One is a U tube video of the area.

http://www.campingwa.net/index.php?topic=131.0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBiXftjIRqo

I have made the shire aware of it, this was also part of my reason for choosing this place for our GTG originally.

-- Edited by Vic41 on Wednesday 22nd of January 2014 01:33:29 PM

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Vic41 wrote:
No worries Wombat, I am not asking anyone not to express an opinion, however if the CEO joins the forum either in her own right or as RV traveller to give a reply, then we need to respect her opinion too.
My comment was not directed at your post personally.
These public links made in 2013 by others can see how we can think free camping was allowed. A couple of years ago I camped there overnight, two caravans were well set up near the toilets with awnings/annex etc, another one over the western side and me in the middle with my then campervan. During the day, a ute with a council logo on it drove in, drove around the site and out again, we weren't approached in any way.
A google search shows camping posters dated 2013 saying it is a free camp, but these are not from the shire.  One is a U tube video of the area.
http://www.campingwa.net/index.php?topic=131.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBiXftjIRqo
I have made the shire aware of it, this was also part of my reason for choosing this place for our GTG originally.

-- Edited by Vic41 on Wednesday 22nd of January 2014 01:33:29 PM

No problems from my end Vic and I know you were not having a go at me just a general comment.

I will also respect her right to her opinion and I am sure she will respect mine.