THE contentious issue of free camping by vanpackers and grey nomads could be thrown open for community debate at a forum suggested in a Warrnambool City Council report.
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If the proposal gets the thumbs up from councillors at their monthly meeting Monday night, the forum results would help shape a new policy document.
Clearly the existing policy does not favour the widespread trend for travellers to camp overnight in their vehicles at public parks and other venues without paying.
Instead it favours registered accommodation venues.
After stating “we welcome you to our city”, the policy explains “we do ask that you respect our local laws and seek to use our defined accommodation places, both hotels and camping styles”.
“Warrnambool City Council local laws prohibit guests to the city using areas other than registered accommodation facilities for overnight stays”.
According to a report prepared by the council’s tourism services manager Peter Abbott, continued controversy on Warrnambool’s approach to the issue is affecting the city’s online reputation among campers.
“This is not isolated to Warrnambool as freedom campers are a well organised group that highlights towns and communities perceived to not welcome their preferred form of tourism,” he said.
Mr Abbott said the current policy was based around maintaining amenity of the city and surrounds with litter and other waste as issues.
“There are a range of views on the best way to address this issue and a public forum will allow all views to be aired, providing advice to councillors for future determinations,” he said. “Tourism industry is not just accommodation providers — retailers and other suppliers rely on tourism spend.
“Local holiday operators have concerns relating to the range of compliance costs they bear when compared to freedom camping locations.
“Their views can be summarised as there is no such thing as free camping as ratepayers will need to maintain these freedom camping areas.”
Warrnambool has six registered holiday parks, two of which are operated by the council. Mr Abbott said the holiday park industry had grown considerably in the past 10 years as self-contained camper vehicles became more affordable.
He suggests a detailed background paper be prepared for the forum.
“This is would be an opportunity for the community to have official input for the first time,” he said.
The meeting will start at 5.45pm.
