Saw this on another forum, apparently from an email from a well known magazine, I think it is spot on;
Freedom is one of those words that conjures up different things for different people. For me, the word brings up the image of Mel Gibson in Braveheart as he stood firm and stated they will never take our freedom. We Australians are known for our laidback lifestyle and attitude and will take most things as they come, as long as we can still go to the beach on our weekends off, go RVing through the country, have a beer-strike-free Xmas, and have enough gas for the BBQ. Surprisingly, we pretty much accept most of the restrictions that are placed upon us, even to the point where most things nowadays are either compulsory or illegal. But, should our ever-diminishing simple pleasures be meddled with, we will stand firm to retain our rights.
Something that is being talked about lately is free-camping. For many people, free-camping means not paying to stay somewhere, but it is so much more than that; free-to-choose camping would be a better way to describe it. Whether beside a creek, in the desert, in a National Park, or in a reserve, we should all have the right to choose where we camp, so long as it is permitted by the authorities involved. Free-campers are angry on two levels: firstly, because certain groups are trying to force all RVers to live the same RV lifestyle, regardless of personal preferences, and secondly, the inference that by choosing to free-camp we are somehow freeloaders who are also irresponsible garbage dumpers.
Its a very easy sell for those that oppose free-camping to label the opposition as a lesser type of person; it's a commonly used style of debate that doesn't always work. Freedom of choice debates are always intriguing. On one side you have a group saying you must do this or you cant do that, and this group are very definite in their intentions to force their beliefs onto other people. On the other hand, however, those espousing freedom of choice simply want the right to choose for themselves and offer that same right to all.
xxxxxxxxxx magazine stands for freedom of choice for all RVers we should be free to choose how we undertake the lifestyle we love so much. As you read this, many are on our forum discussing these very issues and we at xxxxxx are preparing a course of action to fight against proposals to restrict free-camping by some levels of governments as well as certain organisations. So join us and make sure your voice is heard; together we will protect our right to Free-Camp.
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Vic
Hi Ace Pop Top Campervan & A'Van A'Lite Camper Trailer.....
Khalil Gibran says "We tarry forward - not backward".
Spread the laughter Share the cheer Let's be happy While we're here.
Nothing works but the threat of blacklisting the towns involved and mean it. Then local business will lobby the councils. Note and underline the lack of basics like rest areas on trip planners and in reports.
For example, there are some towns that many 4X4 enthusiasts avoid like the plague because they are the pits to visit, or even roll through because of theft and social problems (guess why?). Why stop and get fuel if some drunken bum is going to abuse you on the street or steal from your trailer? Most would prefer to detour and give the problem the swerve. One day the civic leaders might get the message and if they don't so what, just take our business elsewhere.
Do the same with councils that are not welcoming to nomadic tourists, list the towns on the 'Forget' list on sites. Diplomacy is wasted, vote with your feet and dollars.
As much as I love my fellow countrymen I do not believe they are inclined to stand up for their, or others, rights and freedoms, or else they would be presently out in the street over what is continually being whittled away through endless regulation. Another thing, it is apparently easy for pollies to manipulate Aussies through envy and "I'm alright Jack" and those are a recent, appalling developments. We have lost our sense of community for a selfish, self-centered individualism and our leaders exhibit and even flaunt those faults in spades.
Hi I do agree with we should be able to free camp were we can within reason. But now days there is a large amount of backpackers giving us a bad name to, not all but a lot of them dumping rubbish when no bins and are quite noisy at times this also puts presure on us gray nomads as we try to do the right thing but are not credited for it. Yes if a town is closing down all it free spots no one will stop at those places and spend some dollars it will effect there town. Also caravan parks whining to council to close free camps is not only hurting themselfs it is there township suffers, the internet is were word spreads fast.
You are right to mention the littering and poor public relations of some backpackers. A number of councils have had to contend with very shabby behaviour of backpackers living in vehicles at coastal beaches. Of course there is nothing to stop councils and police from enforcing existing laws against littering, urinating in a public place and so on. That would move the troublemakers on. It doesn't have to be all or none.
Equally councils could put a bit of money into more clean toilets and other facilities, it is an investment in tourism. Many councils have not significantly improved their tourist infrastructure in my lifetime, apart from the ridiculous monument or two.
