Bulahdelah is in the middle of a very popular area with many camping and accommodation options and I don't think the popularity of a free camp is high on the reasons another CP is being built. I expect anyone researching the viability and funding of a CP based resort would understand the different clientele that use the area.

I have already heard that the council are going to close that rest area I guess they will learn the hard way as there are plenty of other places to stay and support the local shops .I bet the pub and cafes and bakery and IGA across the river would not like it shut down as they are already suffered enough financially when the town was bypassed just like Karuah is today almost a ghost town

I can't find the article in question but I do know Bulahdelah and there is no free camp in town, there is one donation camp at the Lions Park that has no toilets, so you can imagine what happens there. Then there's the Bowlo at $5 p/n no power and the showgrounds $18 p/n with power.

I am pretty sure there is a rest area on the southern side of river with toilets near bridge used as a free camp I have used myself a number of times unless I am in the wrong town

That's the Loins donation site without toilets, they are across the river.

Yes sorry no toilets you can stay for 72 hours self contained

There are four free, donation or low cost campgrounds in Bulahdelah based in sporting clubs, showgrounds, reserves and rest areas. There is also a CP. A new CP development, especially one describing itself as a resort, could never make a strong case for closing a short stay campground given they are so late to the game and that game isn't even the one they are playing. Bulahdelah is part of the Mid Coast Council region and that region has dozens of free and low cost campgrounds. The region is a destination as much as an overnight opportunity.

I spent two nights last week at the Bulahdelah Showgrounds I've being staying there for years as I travel north/south always patronising the businesses in town.

I was told by one of the Lions Club members who fought the battle for a free camp on the river that they're very concerned about the future of the free camp and the uncertainty that surrounds its continued existence in the face of the Big4 venture.

The Bulahdelah Showgrounds.

When there last week I spent money in several businesses and the majority of the clientèle also enjoying Bulahdelah shops were baby boomers not the ones generally to patronise Big4 products.

The Big4 group have the licences for several council owned caravan parks in NSW and Qld, possibly elsewhere now.

This has led to councils taking actions that favour their own caravan parks outsourced to the Big4.

A local told me the business houses and residents were thrilled with the Big4 arrival anticipating trade and profits.

We shall wait and see what eventuates for the Lions free camp on the river - the bowls club and the Showgrounds provided low cost campsites too.

Given the trend elsewhere we can be forgiven for being anxious about their continued survival.

The Lions club member said he'd had many many travellers tell them they will bypass Bulahdelah if the Big4 gets the free and low cost camp sites closed down.