Free Camps in SE QLD now attract fees...

Phillipn · Guru

RE: Free Camps in SE QLD now attract fees...

rockylizard · Guru

Phillipn wrote:
Brisand wrote:
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
Brian, are you the owner of a caravan park?

Gday...

confuse cry Phillip, one does not need to own a caravan park to realise and consider that so-called "free" camps/rest areas attract a cost to the community and that it is not inconsiderate for those communities to seek to recover those costs - not necessarily to make a profit.

Requests for donations rarely attract sufficient, if any, funds to cover basic maintenance costs, so communities become jaundiced and seek to regain some control on how their area/s are used.

I have enjoyed travelling for many years and welcomed the ability to sleep overnight at a place for no cost. However, I have always realised these facilities attract a cost to provide and maintain - whether that be Federal, State or Local government. Often these 'free' rest areas are provided by the community itself - eg rear of local pub, general store, football/sports club etc.

Instead of greeting these applications of 'fees' to "camp in the street" with derision, we should perhaps contribute to the continued provision of these welcome facilities - or seek out genuine camping grounds rather than expecting to use rest areas on the side of main roads and/or within towns and for that community to carry the real costs of maintaining that facility for an ever-increasing, and often inconsiderate, travelling public.

Cheers - John

Casualkev · Senior Member

Well rocky, I don't know where you get your figures re-donations from, but council areas may not get every cent back to cover cost but what is spent in the communities more then makes up for it. Not many camps are absolutely free unless your self sufficient and camping either in the bush or at a state recreation park that hasn't yet attracted fees and of course the odd publican who wants to attract custom to his premises. The freedom of choice sites such as sports grounds,show grounds and anywhere councils allow such camping are sometimes abused when there is a honesty box, in which case that is a problem when people without a conscience take advantage of others. That's when we as GN's should speak up and remind others of their socially responsibilities.

Kev

Phillipn · Guru

Southern Downs council has done a back flip on charging fees at Dalveen [ camps 8 site 636] and Allora [ camps 8 site 634] free camps.

NO PAYMENT REQUIRED. What a great result!

-- Edited by Phillipn on Friday 18th of December 2015 10:31:25 PM

Graden · Veteran Member

Surely this has got a little off track now. Refer back to original post, part of the problem raised was the need to get a "permit" from the information centre. Now, if you arrive at the site about 4pm after a long day, then discover you have to drive to the centre pulling your van, then discover that the place closes at 4pm and it is now 4.30pm. Where do you "rest to survive" as the different road authority signs implore us?

Baz421 · Guru

Young Simmo wrote:
Bruce and Bev, you wrote, " is it a dump full of feral permanents"??
Can you clarify whether you think all permanents are feral, or just a small percentage.
Yes we have been permanents since Feb 1999, and we don't make anywhere near the mess the casual overnighters leave behind.
Simmo

I don't think Bruce and Bev really need to answer that at all,,, it was a comment and obviously not all permanents are feral,, they are a cross section of society, however in some places it swings in favour of very good permanents to very bad.

we've seen both as I'm sure most have.

Swoffer · Senior Member

Graden wrote:
Where do you "rest to survive" as the different road authority signs implore us?

Exactly ,

I'm no lawyer , but I'd bet if you fought a fine for camping roadside , or not paying under these circumstances there is not a court in the land that would be able to uphold a fine .

Bill B · Guru

Graden wrote:

Surely this has got a little off track now. Refer back to original post, part of the problem raised was the need to get a "permit" from the information centre. Now, if you arrive at the site about 4pm after a long day, then discover you have to drive to the centre pulling your van, then discover that the place closes at 4pm and it is now 4.30pm. Where do you "rest to survive" as the different road authority signs implore us?

In this instance a permit could have been obtained from the Royal Hotel which adjoins the camping area.