and the problem is the councils and shires will prosecute Aussies as they can track us down through our rego numbers and send an infringement notice to that address (assuming you refuse to supply their rangers with your details). If you fail to pay the infringement, it will end up with that States fines enforcement dept and you will get a visit from a sheriff or police who may arrest put you in the lockup until you pay the original fine, plus costs.
Overseas backpackers don't have a fixed address in this country and are savvy enough to refuse to move (the police will not enforce these sort of by laws). Infringement notices are worthless as they return to their home country by the time any fine enforcement action is taken.
And that's not to mention the bad press it gives genuine Nomads bad press with free camping in more acceptable areas and gives councils the reasons to ban free camping in their area
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
I think that, despite what you say about backpackers not being residents and therefore too hard to prosecute, there are so many of them and they are mobile.
Add to that the power of Wikicamps that backpackers not only live by but populate with spots they find they are like ants.
I appears from that article the local council has had some success - but the ants keep coming. This is snipped from that article.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Easy fixed if they don't move on then impound their vehicles, or pay a on the spot fine. If they elect to have vehicle impounded with all their gear in it then it's their problem, go back to where they came from. Same for people who illegally camp around Australia, impound the vehicle or on the spot fine would soon stop illegal camping. As long as there was enough people to police it.
Backpacker are just like us Grey Nomads some will know how to beat the system if they can .
We've seen more Grey Nomads than Backpackers camping illegally particularly ones in motorhomes. Plenty of ''stealth campers'' around pulling into community run RV parks asking for a donation after dark & departing before first light next morning. No money in the donation box either even from people with $200,000 rigs. Thieving buggers!
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
Backpacker are just like us Grey Nomads some will know how to beat the system if they can .
We've seen more Grey Nomads than Backpackers camping illegally particularly ones in motorhomes. Plenty of ''stealth campers'' around pulling into community run RV parks asking for a donation after dark & departing before first light next morning. No money in the donation box either even from people with $200,000 rigs. Thieving buggers!
Yup witnessed that more times than you would expect.
Having camped in Europe and North America does anyone not believe young Ozzies and Kiwi's don't do this free loading where possible. I have. But then I suppose that is only being a Larrikin.
If other Councils around OZ are like mine here on the NSW Mid North Coast the ranger who double as parking police work office hours 0900 to 1630 and most back packers turn up after they have gone for the day. To work overtime would take a full meeting of the Council and could take 12 months at best. The problem of backpackers and the mess they leave along our beach fronts is a constant source of agro for locals facing the coastal parking areas, Human waste and heaps of sanitary napkins left in the gutters where they parked for the night . On going issue all over OZ
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Pets are welcome but children must be leashed at all times
must say I have never seen bad behaviour from backpackers as people are claiming, have seen plenty from grey nomads and they generally carry the attitude that WE ARE AUSSIES SO BUGGER OFF.
Given the choice I sit down and spend time talking with the young adventurous backpackers in preference to grey nomads who often tell the same story at every stop. The old story holds true that you should through rocks if you live in a glass house. I just wish I was forty years younger.
cheers
blaze
ps
When I was duty manager in broome at a backpackers hostel I had to steer a few in the right direction and move a few on from the car park (always pointed them to other options where they were safe), the worst I had to deal with were the white aussies
Easy fixed if they don't move on then impound their vehicles, or pay a on the spot fine. If they elect to have vehicle impounded with all their gear in it then it's their problem, go back to where they came from. Same for people who illegally camp around Australia, impound the vehicle or on the spot fine would soon stop illegal camping. As long as there was enough people to police it.
Gday...
Completely understand where you are coming from, Dav4Cris.
However, councils cannot do as you suggest without having enacted regulations/bylaws clearly stating those penalties AND have them posted clearly in the area/s where violations occur and someone to enforce them. Indeed, the power to impound vehicles and the contents may be beyond the jurisdiction of local government.
I think the time is fast approaching when most (all?) shires and municipal councils will have such bylaws in place - and staff to enforce them.
I believe that many NSW east coast shires/councils have such bylaws already in place, signage in place and enforcement officers cracking the whip.
I also agree with some comments on this thread concerning not just backpackers but also Strayan Rvers who "know the system" and flaunt it.
The power of apps like Wikicamps certainly make it easier for folk to locate a 'new' area, spread the word (legal camp or not) and get in before councils wake up.
cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Nobody should camp where the law say you can't if you do you deserve what you get. We have people on this forum who think it's their right to camp where ever they like and do it at someone else expense , Like the poor local ratepayer .
