A report (Australian Tourist Park Management 2008 Potential Caravan Park Developments in RegionalWA Tourism Western Australia, Perth WA) provides this commentary;
(Info supplied by Western Australian Association of Caravan Clubs to member Clubs)
The excessive demand for caravan sites in peak periods, coupled with the large distances between touristcentres in WA, is causing issues with illegal and unstructured camping.When caravanners cannot find a site for the night, they are setting up camp in various unstructured areas like private property, main roads rest areas and car parks.This presents a whole host of safety and management issues for Main Roads, police and local governments.This problem is appearing nationwide, but is especially prevalent in WA due to the large stretches of open road between major towns and tourist areas
Main Roads WA have installed a series and variety of roadside stopping areas for the convenience of travellers;
Parking Bays:For short period rest and safety checks.
Rest Areas: For short term rest areas (4 hours max stop)
Major Rest areas: 24 hour rest areas (24hrs max stop)
Scenic lookouts:Viewing and photographing (limited stop)
Thanks for those details Vic.
Some regions have shut off free camping spots all together because of the abuse of the privelege and the rubbish left behind by the less responsible campers.
Travellers are still very lucky there are free camp sites available. Someone has to monitor the activity and the condition of the camp. It all costs money to manage, either national parks, local government or the accommodating land owner.
If it's only an overnight stop-over to have a rest from travel there isn't a problem. It's when the campers stay beyond the time limit to take advantage of the "hospitality" that the problems begin.
Even caravan parks are diminishing to make way for tourist accommodation development.
I don't belong to any van clubs, but maybe it's time we the vanners put pressure on the local governments in the regions we like to visit. The Clubs could do it using the strength of numbers. Individuals can do it by telling the councils and state bodies how they feel, and why.
It's not only about the popular tourist destinations. It's about providing a service to a popular, growing industry.
Cheers Chris
kenmarg said
03:45 PM Jun 24, 2009
hi vic. this caravan and camping game is just getting to popular.??? i think these motorhomes and caravans, that have everything in them are going to cause a re-think,about camping. we all like to free camp ( so less need for caravan parks ) i dont like doing it but i carry big garbage bags,and i spend 30 minutes on a emu hop in a site that i have spent the night at. the govt of wa reilize how much tourist money is going into the north of the state. "But" it gets back to public liability insurance in these rest stops. who pays if a car comes of the highway into the rest stop and smashes your van,or god forbid some children. all of these govt bodys just run for cover. ( its that bad with insurance in the truck industry, you have "no"insurance on your vechile unless you are stopped in a registered truck parking bay,if something like this happened ) so i cant see us getting to many more roadside stops built in the near future
Vic41 said
06:10 PM Jun 24, 2009
Yep, it's a bit frightening, I was reading the story on the front page of this site, and that is in the more remote areas........what are parks on the coast like? They must be overcrowded too.
Ken, I don't know if you know "Mick the Mungrel" a truckie in SA, his Volvo broke down and he left it overnight locked up alongside but off the road until he could get it fixed. Got a call that night from the Police to say his truck had been torched, it was his pride and joy and one of the panels had been personally signed by Sarah Storer. It was lucky Mick and his little dog were not sleeping inside the truck. Mick uses the title Mick the Mungrel and it is painted on his truck, but in reality he is a good responsible driver. From what you have said it doesn't sound too good for his insurance claim. He has hired a replacement to carry on his business in the meantime.
Vic
Cruising Granny said
09:28 PM Jun 24, 2009
Let's put our heads together and come up with ideas to address the park and parking shortage.
Cheers Chris
Vic41 said
09:49 PM Jun 24, 2009
Open up all farms and properties to the RV public that belong to politicians......No, I can't think of anything constructive Chris, I wish I knew the answers, maybe someone else has some good ideas.
Vic
Roadside Stopping Areas in WA
A report (Australian Tourist Park Management 2008 Potential Caravan Park Developments in Regional WA Tourism Western Australia, Perth WA) provides this commentary;
(Info supplied by Western Australian Association of Caravan Clubs to member Clubs)
The excessive demand for caravan sites in peak periods, coupled with the large distances between tourist centres in WA, is causing issues with illegal and unstructured camping. When caravanners cannot find a site for the night, they are setting up camp in various unstructured areas like private property, main roads rest areas and car parks. This presents a whole host of safety and management issues for Main Roads, police and local governments. This problem is appearing nationwide, but is especially prevalent in WA due to the large stretches of open road between major towns and tourist areas
Main Roads WA have installed a series and variety of roadside stopping areas for the convenience of travellers;
Parking Bays: For short period rest and safety checks.
Rest Areas: For short term rest areas (4 hours max stop)
Major Rest areas: 24 hour rest areas (24hrs max stop)
Scenic lookouts: Viewing and photographing (limited stop)
.............................................................................................
i think these motorhomes and caravans, that have everything in them are going to cause a re-think,about camping. we all like to free camp ( so less need for caravan parks ) i dont like doing it but i carry big garbage bags,and i spend 30 minutes on a emu hop in a site that i have spent the night at. the govt of wa reilize how much tourist money is going into the north of the state. "But" it gets back to public liability insurance in these rest stops. who pays if a car comes of the highway into the rest stop and smashes your van,or god forbid some children. all of these govt bodys just run for cover. ( its that bad with insurance in the truck industry, you have "no"insurance on your vechile unless you are stopped in a registered truck parking bay,if something like this happened ) so i cant see us getting to many more roadside stops built in the near future