Interesting stats GC, as you know the Camps publishers also change the site numbers in editions so as an example 10 in one edition might be 20 in another edition, although some remain the same.....
Interesting, especially Tas as there seems to be more free camping opening up, rather than closing. Lots of communities who don't have van parks are making a big effort to cater for s/c travellers.
If we look into the future. The reality is there will be many more retiree's on the road and purchasing power is what will win in the end. Of course the tide is going the way of van parks and their associated vested interests, but it will change if the right pressure is applied.
It depends on what you mean by unite, those who tried that to get change and support for free camping in one organisation, had their forum shutdown and legal threats aimed at them by their own board. The member made the mistake of voting to turn to their incorporated body into a company and opposing interests took over the entire organisation.
Unless you have people power running things, it's much better to organise in a non aligned group as this forum represents. To do that all you have to do is when a problem with free camping rises in a municipality, is to bombard to authorities with emails and letters setting out the reason why you won't be utilising their community and will pass right through it if there are no facilities for S/C travellers.
If you belong to an organised group, they could be attacked legally, but trying to take legal action against a lot of individuals from around the country. Would create a logistics and legal nightmare, especially if all they have to go on is an email address.
Theres so many grubby campers leaving their sh1t behind (literally!), it makes an easy argument to close campsites, irrespective of caravan parks. If we personally keep our campsites clean and do the right thing, spend some money in the nearby towns, it can only help.
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Friday 3rd of January 2014 05:36:48 PM
Theres so many grubby campers leaving their sh1t behind (literally!), it makes an easy argument to close campsites, irrespective of caravan parks demands. If we personally keep our campsites clean and do the right thing, it can only help.
I agree, but it hasn't been a problem until the last couple of years. Before that, just about every camp site was looked after, peaceful and welcoming.
Now many free camps seem to be inhabited by morons, who seem to think they have some form of divine right to do what they want, when they feel like it. Seems they must have a fire no matter what the temperature is and throw their butts everywhere and they have to run generators. Lot's of camp sites are becoming urban squalor, which means more closed sites and those who know of nice private camps, won't tell anyone any more.
Native Pepper....I agree, am very reluctant to mention any of the special spots we have camped at, unless we are reasonably certain of the folks we are talking to.
Wonder why the change in attitude to cleanliness, better for everyone if kept clean & tidy, don`t understand the mentality.
We have written to a number of shires and State bodies re this issue.
Minister for Tourism, Minister for local Government
Town Clerks etc etc.
Only a couple of replies, which in short ......they want a level playing field for all concerned.
One of the best thing we can do when we get to a town who does not want Grey Nomad free/low cost camping is complain to the Information Centre and the local town council. I believe that about 80% of us would stop at the info centre, so there is a great ear that we can chew!!!!
That way we may get the message across that we want to support the towns that support us.
Agree re the above comment re people power.
Wouldn't it be great if we could get one business in towns supporting the Grey Nomad cause and taking up our plight with their Chamber of Commerce and like, But how do we get the ball rolling???
Thoughts????
Jay&Dee
Yes never thought of it before.. Like Macdonalds do on main roads with truckie stops etc.. I see some have RV areas now..
Maybe commercial agreement with KFC ,Maca's, Woolworths , Aldi, Caltex, Bridgestone etc ??
Member discount if we use their business...
But we need to adhere to leave it clean policy .
Even if it means tidying others mess..
Native Pepper....I agree, am very reluctant to mention any of the special spots we have camped at, unless we are reasonably certain of the folks we are talking to.
Wonder why the change in attitude to cleanliness, better for everyone if kept clean & tidy, don`t understand the mentality.
I also fail to understand why anyone would leave a mess at a campsite they have enjoyed, but on the worst occasions that I have observed (such as at the lovely free camp in Babinda FNQ), it was local day-trippers who left their garbage wherever they had finished with it. The only other frequent offenders seem to be those who can't or won't carry a shovel to bury their waste, and I suspect that not many GNs still squat behind a bush, if only because like me they are no longer able to!
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Cheers, Marianna.
The more I learn about people, the more I like my dogs (Mark Twain)
