I guess that most on here have never thought about it, as most use cassettes, but some of us have grey- and blackwater holding tanks - 80 litres each in our case. This means that we need to drive up beside a dump point to empty.
The problem arises when, as here in Northampton (WA), the DP is on one side of a wide, open parking area. When we arrived a line of three cars with caravans was parked alongside the DP, making it impossible for us to get near enough to dump, even with our fairly long hose. The owners were all missing, most likely having lunch somewhere or shopping in the nearby IGA.
There was plenty of room for all to park and still leave a lane free but, as the driver of one said when he evetually returned, it had never occurred to him that he might be obstructing access. We eventually had to back across the park into a space left by that driver and block the rest of the area while we drained our tanks.
Has anyone else struck this problem?
Andrea & John
Currently property-minding in Northampton, WA
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Free-ranging, in a Southern Cross 5th wheeler, in between property-minding (to save money!).
No, but I have seen it here in Townsville a couple of times. I venture up here from way down in Mexico each winter and set up in my daughters driveway.
There is a dump point in the car park of one of the local shopping centres that I have reported on here about not that long ago and I have seen people park across the dump point while they go in the the shops. Just recently there has been a large wire fence errected at the rear of the DP so you can't access it from the rear any more.
You would think it be common sense NOT to park across a DP.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
If the dump point is supplied by the CMCA, it is one of the listed inspection items for the CMCA inspection person to go through before signing off the site's installation. If it needs signage or painted lines etc, that is recommended to the local council as part of the installation process
I do know of a case where the CMCA rep has refused to sign off the installation of a dump point after the council 'engineer in charge who knew it all' changed the plans and over-rode the CMCA recommendations ... it took 18 months to sort out, along with a new engineer
No, but I have seen it here in Townsville a couple of times. I venture up here from way down in Mexico each winter and set up in my daughters driveway.
There is a dump point in the car park of one of the local shopping centres that I have reported on here about not that long ago and I have seen people park across the dump point while they go in the the shops. Just recently there has been a large wire fence errected at the rear of the DP so you can't access it from the rear any more.
You would think it be common sense NOT to park across a DP.
Ah yes, Dougwe - that very rare commodity. 'common' sense!
I will send a note to the local council, but I suspect that, whatever they may do, any signage will mostly be ignored - illiteracy seems rife in our society!
Andrea
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Free-ranging, in a Southern Cross 5th wheeler, in between property-minding (to save money!).
Some dump points are put in the most ridiculous places. In Sapphire the dump point is behind a fence and at least a good metre further in. Only ok for anyone with a cassette they can carry in. Not sure how they got away with the requirements for that one.
If someone parks in front of a dump point and clearly does the wrong thing ,I shall film them and then plaster their rego etc on every forum in OZ.I am familiar with liable legislation insofar as I will not be publicising an untruth so should those morons wish to sue me .Well, see you in court ! John
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Westy. Some people I know are like slinkies. They look really funny when you push them downstairs !
often Councils/Shires do the right thing and put in a dump point without CMCA representation. For this I congratulate these Councils!
But as others have said, theyre put in the most silly places, like busy car parks near a supermarket or in a popular beach carpark do you need to park miles down the road and lug the cassette to the dump. They didn't think the cassette came complete with a caravan and tow vehicle or motor home I guess.
What really bugs me though is the people who use the dump points (usually US) who pinch the hose or the hose to tap fitting (I now carry one just for this purpose) or even worse, dump their waste down the dump and don't bother to wash it clean. Its a case of carefully opening the lid, not breathing and looking to see if its clean or filthy. I wonder what the Councils think of us when they check these free facilities and we cant even keep them clean.......some of us are a dirty, lazy bunch !
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
We also have holding tank and have found 2 places recently that are not accessible ... Emerald and Rolleston. ..... Ended up going to Clermont ...... A long drive, so glad of the larger tank! We opted to change to a longer flexible discharge hose so at least we can manoeuvre around the dump,points that have a fence around them .... Emerald gets my vote for the worst designed and located!
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
If someone parks in front of a dump point and clearly does the wrong thing ,I shall film them and then plaster their rego etc on every forum in OZ.I am familiar with liable legislation insofar as I will not be publicising an untruth so should those morons wish to sue me .Well, see you in court ! John
they probably don't know what a dump point is so they aren't going to read anything on a caravan forum
one of the best is Coober Peedy. On the main road as you come into town, beside the Info Centre and a HUGE tarsealed area large enough for the biggest 5th wheeler or bus to turn around in. Water is in 2 petrol type pumps - you pay for it, but to fill 200 lt its only about $4-5 or so.
Well thought out by the council for user friendliness
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
often Councils/Shires do the right thing and put in a dump point without CMCA representation. For this I congratulate these Councils!
But as others have said, theyre put in the most silly places, like busy car parks near a supermarket or in a popular beach carpark do you need to park miles down the road and lug the cassette to the dump. They didn't think the cassette came complete with a caravan and tow vehicle or motor home I guess.
What really bugs me though is the people who use the dump points (usually US) who pinch the hose or the hose to tap fitting (I now carry one just for this purpose) or even worse, dump their waste down the dump and don't bother to wash it clean. Its a case of carefully opening the lid, not breathing and looking to see if its clean or filthy. I wonder what the Councils think of us when they check these free facilities and we cant even keep them clean.......some of us are a dirty, lazy bunch !
Not me, I don't use them
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Yes I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
We also have holding tank and have found 2 places recently that are not accessible ... Emerald and Rolleston. ..... Ended up going to Clermont ...... A long drive, so glad of the larger tank! We opted to change to a longer flexible discharge hose so at least we can manoeuvre around the dump,points that have a fence around them .... Emerald gets my vote for the worst designed and located!
Nanango gets my vote for worst dump point. They have just spent a lot of money getting it completely wrong.
The bollards are the first obstacle, then there is a man hole cover that is protruding on sloping ground. Then there is a gutter before a newly sealed car park and it is at least 7-800mm below dump point and a long way away from dump point. If my 90mm black water hose would reach, the sh!t certainly won't run uphill.
Mmmm, looks like a lot of work in progress there Chris. Maybe, just maybe things will be much better and user friendly when finished. Let's hope so anyway. The potential is there for sure.
Keep Safe out there.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
