CARAVANNERS have been caught by surprise after a Queensland council introduced a new permit system to stay on once-free overnight rest areas serving the state's major highway.
Fraser Coast Regional Council has ushered in "regional permits" for travellers wanting to use the facilities at Tiaro and Bauple between Maryborough and Gympie, popular with travellers using the busy Bruce Highway.
And it has erected new signs warning that failing to display the $10 permit, which authorises a 48-hour stay, could attract on-the-spot fines of up to $5000.
Similar conditions apply to another council-provided overnight camping area at Teebar.
Permits are obtainable from visitor information centres in Maryborough and Hervey Bay, Tiaro's Royal Hotel and the Bauple Museum.
Caravanner Jason Heath, from NSW, told Caravanning News he was "gobsmacked" when confronted with the new signage at Tiaro.
"The new conditions caught me completely by surprise," he said.
"I was tired, it was late and everywhere was shut. It was impossible to get a permit, providing me with a dilemma ... do I risk a fine or drive on?
"I decided to stay rather than cause an accident by falling asleep at the wheel.
"I use the rest area regularly and there had been no hint of having to pay to overnight there. Several other travellers were in the same predicament. They were not happy."
The council argues that permits are necessary to "provide regulation" to its bush and basic non commercial camping grounds.
Mayor Gerard O'Connell told Caravanning News the new system was part of the Camping Options Strategy which had been brought in by the previous state government.
"We had a representative group made up of caravanning associations, the CMCA, caravan park operators and chambers of commerce and they produced about 26 recommendations," he said.
Proceeds from the permit system will be held in a reserve fund to be used to improve the facilities.
Meanwhile, the council has urged people to report anyone they see camping illegally and has produced an online form to help them supply details.
NEW FEES AT RESERVES
SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council in Queensland has also brought in a $10 fee for travellers overnighting at the well-used Allora and Dalveen Park reserves. Mayor Peter Blundell said it was not unreasonable for caravanners, motorhomers and other users to contribute towards maintaining the facilities. But some local traders have criticised the move, arguing it will hit their income. Honesty boxes will be used to collect the fees.
Cheers - John
brickies said
09:54 AM Dec 6, 2015
I would think that's fair and would allow them to control the numbers camping at any time ,And allow some fund to maintain the facilities which will be good for all of us it called user pays .
PeterInSa said
10:10 AM Dec 6, 2015
Re (Meanwhile, the council has urged people to report anyone they see camping illegally and has produced an online form to help them supply details.)
How about an Online form to pay/print for RV Travellers who arrive afterhours.
Peter
Wombat 280 said
11:43 AM Dec 6, 2015
Don't mind the fee bit so long as it goes to providing and maintaining facilities, but it won't ,it hasn't in other areas with similar fee structures , may get another accountant or chairborne position appointed at the Council HQ.
Bruce and Bev said
02:22 PM Dec 6, 2015
what facilities do they provide?????
For $10 pn I would expect toilets, water and rubbish bins........
kiwijims said
03:55 PM Dec 6, 2015
Bruce and Bev wrote:
what facilities do they provide?????
For $10 pn I would expect toilets, water and rubbish bins........
"Yep" I would expect something for my money, but I suppose they have to have time to rake in the coffers first, I bet there is no set date anytime in the next few years to give anything back to the traveller, just another money grab by another Council who don't care about the travelling public or how it will effect the local business, when people will continue on to other free campsites, It's happened here in the West with sign posts sticking out everywhere stating ,,,, stop here and you will be $5000 worse off, drive on and fall asleep behind the wheel, we don't care !!
K.J.
Young Simmo said
03:59 PM Dec 6, 2015
There are signs all over West Aust saying, " Don't drive tired ".
This message is telling me that the Council is saying, "We don't care about road rules or your safety, we just want your money".
Or am I missing something?
Simmo
kandagal said
04:24 PM Dec 6, 2015
We are paying $10/day at Torbanlea (Qld) race course for flush toilets & hot showers. Alice
Onedodger said
04:25 PM Dec 6, 2015
Soo what has happened to the tax on fuel that we all pay?
And Simmo is 100% correct.
It is just another money gouge by a council.
Greedy Baskets.
brickies said
04:33 PM Dec 6, 2015
Most Rest area on the open road are free ,The one the local council are charging for are the ones in little townships , If you look up the Hervey Bay council website you can see the camp site and what is on offer ,Tiaro camp site includes a shower . I have been past these camp many time have not had the need to stop there and don't like stoping in little Village over night .
Casualkev said
05:55 PM Dec 6, 2015
Its your loss for not staying in villages, Tiaro, Bauple, Torbanlea & Howard in the Maryborough area are friendly towns with great pubs in them except Bauple when I was last there in 2002. A hidden treasure is the Railway Hotel in Tiaro and the butcher shop great smoked and cured meats, bacon chops a favourite!
Kev
Brisand said
06:24 PM Dec 6, 2015
I think too many people expect everyone to pay for their travels.
Do you really think these "Free Campsites" just drop from the sky or has someone else paid for these sites to be provided, get real and don't be lousy
Hey Jim said
06:34 PM Dec 6, 2015
Bruce and Bev wrote:
what facilities do they provide?????
For $10 pn I would expect toilets, water and rubbish bins........
Yes Bruce, You need a depositry for your used disposal Wine cups & Fish & chip take Aways .eh
Felicia said
06:41 PM Dec 6, 2015
The one thing that worries me about this if they spend the money to upgrade the facilities what will they ask us to pay then? I don't mind paying something for the toilets to be cleaned etc but shower I don't need.
Lynda
Brisand said
06:53 PM Dec 6, 2015
Felicia, have a real think about who paid for these campsites, it obviously sounds like it is not you, it is people like you who give grey nomads a bad name.
Casualkev said
07:09 PM Dec 6, 2015
That's a bit rough Brisand, your obviously offended easily there was nothing said to warrant that response!
Kev
Young Simmo said
07:10 PM Dec 6, 2015
You get free toilets in pubs and churches, why not at road side camps.
Simmo
Brisand said
07:14 PM Dec 6, 2015
Kev, sometimes the truth hurts, but what is wrong with what I said, what Felicia said really was nit picking, willing to pay for somethings and not others, surely a small fee for what is provided is not asking too much.
Felicia said
07:24 PM Dec 6, 2015
Brisand,
So far I have free camped for 10 days and paid either $5.00 or $10.00 a night. Prior to that I have caravaned in many parks and have paid up to $50 a night. I don't understand your comment.
Lynda
rockylizard said
07:33 PM Dec 6, 2015
Gday...
It is an interesting contrast ... some of the posts on this thread and the posts on the thread Donation Camping
I guess if a municipality seeks donations then that is quite acceptable - although anecdotal evidence suggests very few actually leave a donation - but imposing a set fee raises the ire of travellers.
The avoidance of requests for donations is fine ... but the seeking of an actual fee is just a 'rip off by a Council'.
Perhaps the travelling public will one day understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch - SOMEONE has had to pay - or must ultimately pay. This is particularly so if travellers wish to sleep overnight (or longer) near major highways/towns/villages rather than away from towns at designated actual camping grounds/areas.
[edit: I actually only posted the news article to advise forum members of a change in status of some popular (previously) 'free' camps. I didn't post it to generate a debate on the merits or otherwise of that decision by the Councils]
Cheers - let's just enjoy the travelling - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 6th of December 2015 07:36:35 PM
Jamjar said
07:36 PM Dec 6, 2015
I'd love to be paying $5/$10 per night for a clean toilet and shower.
I'm currently in a caravan park paying $34 and it was $32 in Sydney. Granted that includes power.
J.
Bruce and Bev said
08:16 PM Dec 6, 2015
Jamjar - that's bloody cheap for a Sydney CP - is it a dump full of feral permanents??
I don't have a problem paying a fee, so long as a service is provided - like clean toilets and water (showers for $10 a night might be pushing it unless its cold water). A lot has been said recently (and not so recently) about nomads buying locally). If only 30% of nomads buy goods like fuel, food, meals etc then the township is that much better off. The shops stay open and the locals have a retail service as well as providing local employment. Most nomads top up fuel in many of these towns, even if they buy nothing else.
But like Alice says, theres a heap of show grounds that charge $10-15 a night for clean flush toilets, hot showers, power and water to each site. They wouldn't be doing this if they weren't making a profit as they usually have a caretaker there as well who they either pay or provide free power/water etc.
Its interesting that many smaller councils and shires attitudes are down to one person. We are currently at Brookton which is a small country town in the wheat belt of WA. It has a council CP but it has no dump point or kitchen (even though quite a few tenters stay there). This was down to the previous CEO. The new CEO has only been in the job for two weeks and has already organized a dump point, kitchen and a 48 hour free camp site.
And Jim - I will show you some decent cheap wine and better fish in WA than we got offered in VIC and NSW this year........but it will cost us more than $10 !!! hahaha
dogbox said
08:34 PM Dec 6, 2015
pay by donation probably didn't work as to many people want everything for free so now we have a $10 fee and a $5000 fine if you don't pay
Jamjar said
08:38 PM Dec 6, 2015
Bruce and Bev wrote:
Jamjar - that's bloody cheap for a Sydney CP - is it a dump full of feral permanents??
I don't have a problem paying a fee, so long as a service is provided - like clean toilets and water (showers for $10 a night might be pushing it unless its cold water). A lot has been said recently (and not so recently) about nomads buying locally). If only 30% of nomads buy goods like fuel, food, meals etc then the township is that much better off. The shops stay open and the locals have a retail service as well as providing local employment. Most nomads top up fuel in many of these towns, even if they buy nothing else.
But like Alice says, theres a heap of show grounds that charge $10-15 a night for clean flush toilets, hot showers, power and water to each site. They wouldn't be doing this if they weren't making a profit as they usually have a caretaker there as well who they either pay or provide free power/water etc.
Its interesting that many smaller councils and shires attitudes are down to one person. We are currently at Brookton which is a small country town in the wheat belt of WA. It has a council CP but it has no dump point or kitchen (even though quite a few tenters stay there). This was down to the previous CEO. The new CEO has only been in the job for two weeks and has already organized a dump point, kitchen and a 48 hour free camp site.
And Jim - I will show you some decent cheap wine and better fish in WA than we got offered in VIC and NSW this year........but it will cost us more than $10 !!! hahaha
Bruce, it's the Poplar Caravan Park, Camden. It's quiet, clean and friendly.
When you go to a showground, do you call ahead, or is there always someone onsite. I was thinking of staying at Parkes on the way home.
The Phantom said
08:53 PM Dec 6, 2015
Felicia wrote:
Brisand,
So far I have free camped for 10 days and paid either $5.00 or $10.00 a night. Prior to that I have caravaned in many parks and have paid up to $50 a night. I don't understand your comment.
Lynda
I must give that a try next time I go.
I have never free camped and paid $5 or $10 a night.
The Phantom
Desert Dweller said
04:50 AM Dec 7, 2015
Free camps are FREE, low cost camps cost around $5-$10 per night. How come low cost camps that charge fees are being called free camps? Oh! We know why! Lots of people make them free camps by not paying the ''donation''. That's our observations.
brickies said
07:42 AM Dec 7, 2015
Why they are calling these camps Free camps is they were up till now and Now will be low cost camps and it is for some had to say money
sandsmere said
07:56 AM Dec 7, 2015
On threads like this one it is easy to pick some people that never go near a donation ( honesty ) box.
Lorries said
08:15 AM Dec 7, 2015
These are REST AREAS and some are listed on the RMS website as such - why pick on the night time user - what about all the day time users - how about collecting $10 from them also afterall they use the toilets, throw rubbish hopefully in the bin, use the picnic tables etc. No I do not agree that we should be paying such a rate for a rest area just because we may stay overnight. All or none pay as far as I am concerned.
-- Edited by Lorries on Monday 7th of December 2015 08:15:24 AM
rockylizard said
08:30 AM Dec 7, 2015
Gday...
This is how Tiaro Memorial Park 'rest area' looks with 'overnighters -.
It is rare to find day users in this volume at a 'rest area'.
Gday...
Travellers not happy with rest area permit system
Story and Photo: Dennis Amor
CARAVANNERS have been caught by surprise after a Queensland council introduced a new permit system to stay on once-free overnight rest areas serving the state's major highway.
Fraser Coast Regional Council has ushered in "regional permits" for travellers wanting to use the facilities at Tiaro and Bauple between Maryborough and Gympie, popular with travellers using the busy Bruce Highway.
And it has erected new signs warning that failing to display the $10 permit, which authorises a 48-hour stay, could attract on-the-spot fines of up to $5000.
Similar conditions apply to another council-provided overnight camping area at Teebar.
Permits are obtainable from visitor information centres in Maryborough and Hervey Bay, Tiaro's Royal Hotel and the Bauple Museum.
Caravanner Jason Heath, from NSW, told Caravanning News he was "gobsmacked" when confronted with the new signage at Tiaro.
"The new conditions caught me completely by surprise," he said.
"I was tired, it was late and everywhere was shut. It was impossible to get a permit, providing me with a dilemma ... do I risk a fine or drive on?
"I decided to stay rather than cause an accident by falling asleep at the wheel.
"I use the rest area regularly and there had been no hint of having to pay to overnight there. Several other travellers were in the same predicament. They were not happy."
The council argues that permits are necessary to "provide regulation" to its bush and basic non commercial camping grounds.
Mayor Gerard O'Connell told Caravanning News the new system was part of the Camping Options Strategy which had been brought in by the previous state government.
"We had a representative group made up of caravanning associations, the CMCA, caravan park operators and chambers of commerce and they produced about 26 recommendations," he said.
Proceeds from the permit system will be held in a reserve fund to be used to improve the facilities.
Meanwhile, the council has urged people to report anyone they see camping illegally and has produced an online form to help them supply details.
NEW FEES AT RESERVES
SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council in Queensland has also brought in a $10 fee for travellers overnighting at the well-used Allora and Dalveen Park reserves. Mayor Peter Blundell said it was not unreasonable for caravanners, motorhomers and other users to contribute towards maintaining the facilities. But some local traders have criticised the move, arguing it will hit their income. Honesty boxes will be used to collect the fees.
Cheers - John
How about an Online form to pay/print for RV Travellers who arrive afterhours.
Peter
For $10 pn I would expect toilets, water and rubbish bins........
"Yep" I would expect something for my money, but I suppose they have to have time to rake in the coffers first, I bet there is no set date anytime in the next few years to give anything back to the traveller, just another money grab by another Council who don't care about the travelling public or how it will effect the local business, when people will continue on to other free campsites, It's happened here in the West with sign posts sticking out everywhere stating ,,,, stop here and you will be $5000 worse off, drive on and fall asleep behind the wheel, we don't care !!
K.J.
There are signs all over West Aust saying, " Don't drive tired ".
This message is telling me that the Council is saying, "We don't care about road rules or your safety, we just want your money"
.
Or am I missing something?
Simmo
And Simmo is 100% correct.
It is just another money gouge by a council.
Greedy Baskets.
Kev
I think too many people expect everyone to pay for their travels.
Do you really think these "Free Campsites" just drop from the sky or has someone else paid for these sites to be provided, get real and don't be lousy
Yes Bruce, You need a depositry for your used disposal Wine cups & Fish & chip take Aways .eh
Lynda
Felicia, have a real think about who paid for these campsites, it obviously sounds like it is not you, it is people like you who give grey nomads a bad name.
Kev
Simmo
Kev, sometimes the truth hurts, but what is wrong with what I said, what Felicia said really was nit picking, willing to pay for somethings and not others, surely a small fee for what is provided is not asking too much.
So far I have free camped for 10 days and paid either $5.00 or $10.00 a night. Prior to that I have caravaned in many parks and have paid up to $50 a night. I don't understand your comment.
Lynda
Gday...
I guess if a municipality seeks donations then that is quite acceptable - although anecdotal evidence suggests very few actually leave a donation - but imposing a set fee raises the ire of travellers.
The avoidance of requests for donations is fine ... but the seeking of an actual fee is just a 'rip off by a Council'.
Perhaps the travelling public will one day understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch - SOMEONE has had to pay - or must ultimately pay. This is particularly so if travellers wish to sleep overnight (or longer) near major highways/towns/villages rather than away from towns at designated actual camping grounds/areas.
[edit: I actually only posted the news article to advise forum members of a change in status of some popular (previously) 'free' camps. I didn't post it to generate a debate on the merits or otherwise of that decision by the Councils
]
Cheers - let's just enjoy the travelling - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 6th of December 2015 07:36:35 PM
I'm currently in a caravan park paying $34 and it was $32 in Sydney. Granted that includes power.
J.
I don't have a problem paying a fee, so long as a service is provided - like clean toilets and water (showers for $10 a night might be pushing it unless its cold water). A lot has been said recently (and not so recently) about nomads buying locally). If only 30% of nomads buy goods like fuel, food, meals etc then the township is that much better off. The shops stay open and the locals have a retail service as well as providing local employment. Most nomads top up fuel in many of these towns, even if they buy nothing else.
But like Alice says, theres a heap of show grounds that charge $10-15 a night for clean flush toilets, hot showers, power and water to each site. They wouldn't be doing this if they weren't making a profit as they usually have a caretaker there as well who they either pay or provide free power/water etc.
Its interesting that many smaller councils and shires attitudes are down to one person. We are currently at Brookton which is a small country town in the wheat belt of WA. It has a council CP but it has no dump point or kitchen (even though quite a few tenters stay there). This was down to the previous CEO. The new CEO has only been in the job for two weeks and has already organized a dump point, kitchen and a 48 hour free camp site.
And Jim - I will show you some decent cheap wine and better fish in WA than we got offered in VIC and NSW this year........but it will cost us more than $10 !!! hahaha
Bruce, it's the Poplar Caravan Park, Camden. It's quiet, clean and friendly.
When you go to a showground, do you call ahead, or is there always someone onsite. I was thinking of staying at Parkes on the way home.
I must give that a try next time I go.
I have never free camped and paid $5 or $10 a night.
The Phantom
On threads like this one it is easy to pick some people that never go near a donation ( honesty ) box.
These are REST AREAS and some are listed on the RMS website as such - why pick on the night time user - what about all the day time users - how about collecting $10 from them also afterall they use the toilets, throw rubbish hopefully in the bin, use the picnic tables etc. No I do not agree that we should be paying such a rate for a rest area just because we may stay overnight. All or none pay as far as I am concerned.
-- Edited by Lorries on Monday 7th of December 2015 08:15:24 AM
Gday...
This is how Tiaro Memorial Park 'rest area' looks with 'overnighters -.
It is rare to find day users in this volume at a 'rest area'.
Cheers - John