not sure if its been on this forum before but I've only just seen it and now im hopping mad..
September 15, 2014
The value of the annual influx of free-camping grey nomads into central Queensland has again been called into question.
The ABC reports that many ratepayers in the region reckon theyre footing the bill for grey nomads, in a deal leaving much to be desired.
Kevin Elliott, of the Isaac Regional Council, says the population of the township of St Lawrence, 160 kilometres south of Mackay, doubles to about 300 every night in winter. However, he told the ABC that there were significant costs involved with accommodating the campers for free and the economic returns were debatable.
Those people over there probably use more water each night than what the whole town uses, he said. Theres at least 100 or 200 people over there every night. Theres a tremendous amount of cost in water and that sort of thing.
Mr Elliot said that there are some travellers who leave a donation, but he thought it was only a minority of travellers who did so.
However, the ABC spoke to grey nomad, John Montgomery, who said most travellers tried to give more than they took, and said free camping in towns like St Lawrence is helping keep local businesses alive.
By getting us to stay in the town and go to the little shops that are there, or have a meal or a beer at the pub, thats keeping it alive for the locals, he said. So instead of paying $40 for a caravan park, .well distribute that $40 among three of four shops.
Mr Montgomery told the ABC that he and his fellow travellers were always willing to put a few bob back into communities where free camping was on offer.
Do you think you give something back when you free camp in or near small country towns? Have you camped at St Lawrence? Did you spend anything while there? Should free campers feel guilty if they choose not to spend in towns?
Blue said
01:50 PM Oct 8, 2014
I spent Thousands this year going to Cairns and back... Thousands !!
Dougwe said
02:21 PM Oct 8, 2014
I too have spent many dollars this and last year all through that area. I have stayed at StLawrence on four different occassions and even though some of the campers said don't pay I always put $10 in the box plus paid for my showers, I personally don't have a problem with that sort of cost. Also spent money at the shops. I do my bit Mr Elliot. Maybe I won't be having a beer with Kev in this case if he want's to be like that.
St Lawrence is a great spot and it would be a shame if it was closed or similar.
johnq said
02:24 PM Oct 8, 2014
Am I alone in expecting too much of the publicly-funded national broadcaster that I would like it to do better than filling columns with a media release and a rushed photo? From the ethical aspect, I wonder if that couple with the caravan had any idea how their photo and comments were to be used?
I am thinking in particular of the ABC's stated claims to independence and balanced reporting. The four-lettered word for modern journalists, 'FAIR', as in fair and balanced reporting. I must be old fashioned.
Surely it can eschew the audience-chasing, dumbed-down sensationalism of the commercial media. It would only take a few minutes on the phone to check with local businesses and show balance by allowing a body representative of the target group being criticised, to comment.
Was that the official view of the named Council, by the way?
-- Edited by johnq on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 02:25:21 PM
jules47 said
02:25 PM Oct 8, 2014
Spent money in the shop, went to the camp draft, spent money. Money in the box,and paid for shower!
Oma said
02:33 PM Oct 8, 2014
Tiaro got $70 in meat as well as about $80 in Christmas pressies from the local art & craft in the info centre last Friday!
Umpie1 said
03:27 PM Oct 8, 2014
Unfortunately there are some GN's that want everything for free and they spoil it for those who are willing to pay a small fee to camp. What the anti-free campers seem to conveniently forget is the amount of money a majority of the GN's put into a town/district when they travel. Over a year it would amount to many thousands of $$$'s.
Bryan said
03:48 PM Oct 8, 2014
johnq wrote:
Am I alone in expecting too much of the publicly-funded national broadcaster that I would like it to do better than filling columns with a media release and a rushed photo? From the ethical aspect, I wonder if that couple with the caravan had any idea how their photo and comments were to be used?
I am thinking in particular of the ABC's stated claims to independence and balanced reporting. The four-lettered word for modern journalists, 'FAIR', as in fair and balanced reporting. I must be old fashioned.
Surely it can eschew the audience-chasing, dumbed-down sensationalism of the commercial media. It would only take a few minutes on the phone to check with local businesses and show balance by allowing a body representative of the target group being criticised, to comment.
Was that the official view of the named Council, by the way?
-- Edited by johnq on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 02:25:21 PM
John", you're right. I don't think the words "fair", "just", "honest", equitable", "privacy" etc has any meaning in modern media and reporting.
GaryKelly said
04:40 PM Oct 8, 2014
Expecting all campers to be honest is unrealistic. So is blaming all campers for the actions of a few.
chris & terry said
06:06 PM Oct 8, 2014
Unrealistic. Expecting reason & balance from the ABC. Now there's an expense with little or no return. Appears the pot is calling the kettle black.
terry
PeterS said
06:13 PM Oct 8, 2014
We stayed at St Lawrence twice in September and put a donation in the box on both occasions. Did not use the showers as we have our own onboard, but did dump the cassette!
A good spot to stop for a day or two!
justcruisin01 said
07:31 PM Oct 8, 2014
These people who think we are user's need to look at the bigger picture.
Sure, they are rate payers & contribute to the supply of these facilities through their council.
So what if I pass through & stop a night or fill a water tank, have they never passed through my town & used the same facilities that part of my rates are used to provide?
Maybe they are not full time travellers yet but their day will come & lets see what they want from a town.
I believe its was called give & take, now its just take.
JC
peterblack said
07:06 AM Oct 9, 2014
hi all.not all campers are honest its unrealistic. but so is blaming all campers for the actions of a few.
I/we have no probs paying a small amount in free camps?
the ABC is a pretty fair in there programmes. Especially when u watch the other channels or radio etc
the so called bolt report is just one. as is jomes and his mates
enjoy pete
Dav4Cris said
08:18 AM Oct 9, 2014
Since starting on the road full time we have noticed that there are some people who blow in late in the afternoon, use the facilities and then leave early in the morning before someone can collect fees. Yes I have seen some who have come in and left a donation in the box, but I would say that only 25% leave a donation the rest just use and run. I believe that these are the ones who give us the bad names. I have had a couple come up to me and ask where they can get a key to the power box, I told them where and they said that they had just been past there, they then hung around me sort making me feel as though they wanted me to give them my key for the power box. So I just turned around and went inside. They then pulled over at a unpowered site, stayed overnight and left in the morning after using the showers.
Yes I have just sat there in arvo watching just as a exercise in futility. People who stay for a few days always pay a fee and usually support the local shops. We always pay fees or leave a donation where ever we stay, if a free camp we always make certain we buy something in the local town.
-- Edited by Dav4Cris on Thursday 9th of October 2014 08:23:03 AM
not sure if its been on this forum before but I've only just seen it and now im hopping mad..
September 15, 2014
The value of the annual influx of free-camping grey nomads into central Queensland has again been called into question.
The ABC reports that many ratepayers in the region reckon theyre footing the bill for grey nomads, in a deal leaving much to be desired.
Kevin Elliott, of the Isaac Regional Council, says the population of the township of St Lawrence, 160 kilometres south of Mackay, doubles to about 300 every night in winter. However, he told the ABC that there were significant costs involved with accommodating the campers for free and the economic returns were debatable.
Those people over there probably use more water each night than what the whole town uses, he said. Theres at least 100 or 200 people over there every night. Theres a tremendous amount of cost in water and that sort of thing.
Mr Elliot said that there are some travellers who leave a donation, but he thought it was only a minority of travellers who did so.
However, the ABC spoke to grey nomad, John Montgomery, who said most travellers tried to give more than they took, and said free camping in towns like St Lawrence is helping keep local businesses alive.
By getting us to stay in the town and go to the little shops that are there, or have a meal or a beer at the pub, thats keeping it alive for the locals, he said. So instead of paying $40 for a caravan park, .well distribute that $40 among three of four shops.
Mr Montgomery told the ABC that he and his fellow travellers were always willing to put a few bob back into communities where free camping was on offer.
I spent Thousands this year going to Cairns and back... Thousands !!
St Lawrence is a great spot and it would be a shame if it was closed or similar.
Am I alone in expecting too much of the publicly-funded national broadcaster that I would like it to do better than filling columns with a media release and a rushed photo? From the ethical aspect, I wonder if that couple with the caravan had any idea how their photo and comments were to be used?
I am thinking in particular of the ABC's stated claims to independence and balanced reporting. The four-lettered word for modern journalists, 'FAIR', as in fair and balanced reporting. I must be old fashioned.
Surely it can eschew the audience-chasing, dumbed-down sensationalism of the commercial media. It would only take a few minutes on the phone to check with local businesses and show balance by allowing a body representative of the target group being criticised, to comment.
Was that the official view of the named Council, by the way?
-- Edited by johnq on Wednesday 8th of October 2014 02:25:21 PM
John", you're right. I don't think the words "fair", "just", "honest", equitable", "privacy" etc has any meaning in modern media and reporting.
terry
We stayed at St Lawrence twice in September and put a donation in the box on both occasions. Did not use the showers as we have our own onboard, but did dump the cassette!
A good spot to stop for a day or two!
These people who think we are user's need to look at the bigger picture.
Sure, they are rate payers & contribute to the supply of these facilities through their council.
So what if I pass through & stop a night or fill a water tank, have they never passed through my town & used the same facilities that part of my rates are used to provide?
Maybe they are not full time travellers yet but their day will come & lets see what they want from a town.
I believe its was called give & take, now its just take.
JC
I/we have no probs paying a small amount in free camps?
the ABC is a pretty fair in there programmes. Especially when u watch the other channels or radio etc
the so called bolt report is just one. as is jomes and his mates
enjoy pete
Since starting on the road full time we have noticed that there are some people who blow in late in the afternoon, use the facilities and then leave early in the morning before someone can collect fees. Yes I have seen some who have come in and left a donation in the box, but I would say that only 25% leave a donation the rest just use and run. I believe that these are the ones who give us the bad names. I have had a couple come up to me and ask where they can get a key to the power box, I told them where and they said that they had just been past there, they then hung around me sort making me feel as though they wanted me to give them my key for the power box. So I just turned around and went inside. They then pulled over at a unpowered site, stayed overnight and left in the morning after using the showers.
Yes I have just sat there in arvo watching just as a exercise in futility. People who stay for a few days always pay a fee and usually support the local shops.
We always pay fees or leave a donation where ever we stay, if a free camp we always make certain we buy something in the local town.
-- Edited by Dav4Cris on Thursday 9th of October 2014 08:23:03 AM