NSW officials are finally cracking down on campers and caravanners using truckies' parking spots with $114 instant fines being handed to offenders in two eastern seaboard holiday hotspots.
The fines are a part of a new trial, announced today, targetting parking at Yelgun rest area, north of Brunswick Heads, and Arrawarra rest area, north of Coffs Harbour, to "ensure spaces are available for all drivers to rest and manage their fatigue".
The move comes after Big Rigs started its Don't Steal Our Space campaign to help stamp out the bad behaviour at these rest stops late last year.
During the trial, which is to run for six months, light vehicles (passenger and commercial vehicles less than 12 tonnes) will not be permitted to park in heavy vehicle spaces in these two locations.
A four hour parking limit will also be trialled in the general vehicle parking spaces.
PetenSue said
04:15 PM Jan 21, 2020
What a great step forward. Seeing as how these blokes deliver everything we use and have rules for their break times, they dont need to be inconvenienced by us when they need to rest. God knows they get inconvenienced enough by caravans on the highway. We have a free camp beside a country pub 50 kms down the road from us. Before Christmas we called into the camp for a toilet stop and there was a b double loaded with cattle parked in the caravan section under a line of big trees. He had the bonnet up and a Cummins service guy was working on the engine. I strolled over for a yarn and they were talking about a caravanner who was so put out by a truck parked in the caravan section, especially taking all the shade, he had driven out very angry. I thought good on the driver for trying to care for his load of animals when it was 43 degrees. Regards Pete
Umpie1 said
04:47 PM Jan 21, 2020
Having stayed in the Arawarra rest area on a number of occasions when towing my van I am interested to find out is there provision for caravan parking. Can anyone enlighten me?
bgt said
05:22 PM Jan 21, 2020
The four hour limit will be an interesting exercise. With so many "free" areas now around the country I wonder why you would park in a highway rest area in the first place.
littledick said
05:36 PM Jan 21, 2020
Umpie1 wrote:
Having stayed in the Arawarra rest area on a number of occasions when towing my van I am interested to find out is there provision for caravan parking. Can anyone enlighten me?
Yeah, use the Darlington Beach Big 4 caravan park, wont break the bank. One of the best parks around.
Dick.
PetenSue said
06:05 PM Jan 21, 2020
bgt wrote:
The four hour limit will be an interesting exercise. With so many "free" areas now around the country I wonder why you would park in a highway rest area in the first place.
We drove into the yelgin rest area thinking we would camp there for the night. We where there about 5 mins and thought stuff this place. It was jam packed, traffic noise, not our scene. We ended up camping behind the Billinudgel pub and had the best time. Never thought you could have so many laughs with the hippies. We told the hippies we were going to the Slim Dusty Centre at Kempsey and one long haired fella started playing SD songs on his guitar and singing. We staggered back to the caravan that night. Plenty of great spots to camp rather than right beside a busy highway. You just have to have a look around. Regards Pete
the rocket said
10:45 PM Jan 21, 2020
Agree. Anyone parking in a truck area should be fined. We use yelgun rest area once or twice a year. Really disappointed a 4 hour stop has been imposed In the caravan n car section. For medical reasons i need to stop over night once we get to yelgun And 4 hours is just not long enough. Billinudgel pub - with a big van, i doubt it would be suitable. Sounds to me like all nsw will be 4 hour rest stops before long. gee thats good for tourism. Or maybe that is the agenda, make everyone pay for their accommodation. please, those of you wealthy enough to do this, dont say negative things or judge. Everyones circumstances are different. not everyone is able to do this But still want to travel and enjoy life instead of sitting in a house staring at 4 walls waiting to die. Everyone is living their life the way they want to and according to their circumstances. quite frankly i appreciate a 20 hour stop over. Just drive in and stay connected, in morning move on. Is easier than going to a caravan park, maybe off the highway And having to navigate around small roads in park etc. Big thankyou to all truck drivers.
the rocket said
10:52 PM Jan 21, 2020
bgt wrote:
The four hour limit will be an interesting exercise. With so many "free" areas now around the country I wonder why you would park in a highway rest area in the first place.
Because it is just off the highway and after driving a long time, it is convenient to stop overnight n start again the next morning. I am concerned that not allowing overnight stops will encourage caravanners to travel longer and more fatigued thus creating more accidents. Ie. when in the past people have stopped for an overnight rest half way into their journey but now may decide to keep driving.
Mike Harding said
06:51 AM Jan 22, 2020
Surely the real solution is for councils and/or the road authority to provide *more* rest areas - clearly the need is there so rather than fining people accommodate them, we pay enough fuel tax and registration after all.
Rest areas in Australia are generally disgraceful in both facilities and attractiveness. Take a look at rest areas on the major roads in Europe, especially France, large, well designed and laid out, clean toilets and showers, play areas for children, shade, good tables and benches.
iana said
07:04 AM Jan 22, 2020
My experience so far of NSW is that it is devoid of rest areas, and has even less 24hr stops for RV,s. Compared to WA it so far has not been RV friendly.
Kebbin said
08:50 AM Jan 22, 2020
Rest Areas are defined by there name, you shouldn't be planing your stop to overnight at a rest area that's the whole problem, people in need of a rest break cannot get a park, why is this so hard to understand by parking up from 4pm to 9am you are depriving other road users. Iana I hardly think that NEW is devoid of rest areas
FWIW worth back in the mid 2000's Qld had some 'strange' rest area regulations. ie you couldn't stay o/n if there was a campground within x number of miles. Simply not practical. A certain club lobbied the Qld authorities and put up an agument that cited fatigue as an issue. And would the authorities be liable if someone was involved in an accident after being 'told' they had to move on. The lobbying from various 'groups' was successful. Needless to say the regulations were eventually changed. (With some exceptions).
BUT for lobbying to be successful there has to be a responsible response from users. And that is the problem. While many here on these forums are responsible and many belong to RV clubs and understand the issues. Many folks aren't aware, nor care, about regulations. Finding a solution that suits everyone and having them obey the regulations is the key. The problem is that there will always be a small % of folks who don't know or don't care. It's that small % that will dictate how the authorities react. All we can do as individuals is to do the right thing and hope that our acts influence others.
the rocket said
02:33 PM Jan 22, 2020
iana wrote:
My experience so far of NSW is that it is devoid of rest areas, and has even less 24hr stops for RV,s. Compared to WA it so far has not been RV friendly.
Agree. In Northern new south wales i only know of yelgun for caravans. Nothing worse than driving fatigued. Was heading that way next month but now have decided to travel in qld. N spend my money where i am welcome.
goldcoaster said
06:43 AM Jan 23, 2020
Umpire 1 ,Yes , but not many spaces .
-- Edited by goldcoaster on Thursday 23rd of January 2020 06:45:45 AM
-- Edited by goldcoaster on Thursday 23rd of January 2020 06:47:18 AM
iana said
06:55 AM Jan 23, 2020
My statement "My experience so far of NSW is that it is devoid of rest areas" was a bit tongue in cheek, but I have seen a low number of rest areas, some come upon you with little warning, some impossible to get into with a big rig, and the others always on the other side of the road.
The Travelling Dillberries said
10:17 AM Jan 23, 2020
Somebody else must be driving while you sleep, plenty of rest areas but could do with more, if only to keep the Gonads happy. (Tongue in cheek!).
Umpie1 said
10:30 AM Jan 25, 2020
So i guess we now roll over and say to NSW main roads "tickle my tummy" just like we have done with the toll road fiasco classing caravans and tow vehicles over certain height and widths as B Double trucks. It is now time for the various caravan bodies to join together and try to work out a sensible compromise and not one decided on by a faceless bureaucrat.
Geeco said
01:51 PM Jan 26, 2020
As I understand it truck drivers are subject to strict rules governing the need for a break after a set amount of time. Thus there needs to be a suitable area for them to comply.
Vehicles towing a caravan or those with a motorhome are not subject to the same rules.
IMHO it is wrong to park in a truck designated position and I do not think it is necessary to stay any longer than 4 hours. If you need to stay overnight do what I do and pay to use a caravan park.
We as caravan & motorhome travellers do not have the right to expect "free" camps to be provided for us.
In the case of the motorway new increased pricing for caravans there is an alternative route that is not tolled. I have a motorhome that is higher than 2.8 mtrs so have been paying the truck rate forever. I am prepared to absorb the outrageous toll charge to make my journey around Sydney easier.
I have taken notice of my late friend who always said " do not sweat the small stuff"
citylimits said
01:02 AM Jan 27, 2020
What would you do if the authorities closed down all roadside rest areas so nobody could use them?
Everyone would be up in arms demanding that they be opened and made available to them.
But what happens when roadside rest areas are used for free overnight camping and become overcrowded to the point where nobody can access them during the night?
Well nobody does anything. In fact they believe that it is okay to do this and defend the right to do so.
But what is the difference between the two?
Both scenarios make rest areas unusable during the night hours.
Then there are those who want more rest areas built.
At a cost of $5 million each, the question is who pays?
Did you know that every time that you stay in a caravan park that you pay GST?
This GST goes into the Government revenue and is spent on infrastructure.
As the majority of free campers who are calling for more rest areas rarely use caravan parks, it would be easy to say that they are expecting the Government to pick up their free camping bill at everyone else's expense.
Is this fair?
So now we have people who are denying tired drivers the rest areas during the night hours, and making everyone else pay for facilities, just because they want to live the life of Free Camping.
With the introduction of the 4 hour parking restriction trial at Yelgun and Arrawarra Rest Areas, the authorities are trying to eliminate the problem of the inaccessibility to rest areas during the night hours, and making drivers more responsible for planning their journeys.
Should the trial be proven to be a success, then further rest areas will be sign posted the same. This means that every RMS Rest Area will be 4 Hour maximum parking.
Should the misuse and abuse continue at these two Rest Areas, then further parking restrictions will be imposed.
By respecting the decision to reduce the maximum parking to 4 hours and abiding by it, authorities will only impose this at selected areas and most will stay the same.
Only time will tell, and what happens next depends on you all, including the attitudes towards this decision.
The Roads and Maritime minister has already shown that he is set in his way by refusing to reduce the toll on caravans in Sydney, so I don't think he will back down on this one either.
Kebbin said
08:23 AM Jan 27, 2020
What a great post 100% agree Citylimits.
Phillipn said
10:15 AM Jan 27, 2020
Rest areas are for resting at any time of the day or night. The road rules state that if you need a rest or a sleep pull over so you don`t kill yourself or some one else.
I have spoke to a NSW police officer about this subject and he told me that the police in NSW will not move you on if you are resting or sleeping.
Remember the incident in Kununurra when a ranger handed out a $100 fine to a fellow who pulled up for a sleep. The fellow went to the council and told them he would see them in court, the council wavered the fine because they knew they could not win.
NSW officials are finally cracking down on campers and caravanners using truckies' parking spots with $114 instant fines being handed to offenders in two eastern seaboard holiday hotspots.
The fines are a part of a new trial, announced today, targetting parking at Yelgun rest area, north of Brunswick Heads, and Arrawarra rest area, north of Coffs Harbour, to "ensure spaces are available for all drivers to rest and manage their fatigue".
The move comes after Big Rigs started its Don't Steal Our Space campaign to help stamp out the bad behaviour at these rest stops late last year.
During the trial, which is to run for six months, light vehicles (passenger and commercial vehicles less than 12 tonnes) will not be permitted to park in heavy vehicle spaces in these two locations.
A four hour parking limit will also be trialled in the general vehicle parking spaces.
Yeah, use the Darlington Beach Big 4 caravan park, wont break the bank. One of the best parks around.
Dick.
We drove into the yelgin rest area thinking we would camp there for the night. We where there about 5 mins and thought stuff this place. It was jam packed, traffic noise, not our scene. We ended up camping behind the Billinudgel pub and had the best time. Never thought you could have so many laughs with the hippies. We told the hippies we were going to the Slim Dusty Centre at Kempsey and one long haired fella started playing SD songs on his guitar and singing. We staggered back to the caravan that night. Plenty of great spots to camp rather than right beside a busy highway. You just have to have a look around. Regards Pete
Agree. Anyone parking in a truck area should be fined. We use yelgun rest area once or twice a year. Really disappointed a 4 hour stop has been imposed In the caravan n car section. For medical reasons i need to stop over night once we get to yelgun And 4 hours is just not long enough. Billinudgel pub - with a big van, i doubt it would be suitable. Sounds to me like all nsw will be 4 hour rest stops before long. gee thats good for tourism. Or maybe that is the agenda, make everyone pay for their accommodation. please, those of you wealthy enough to do this, dont say negative things or judge. Everyones circumstances are different. not everyone is able to do this But still want to travel and enjoy life instead of sitting in a house staring at 4 walls waiting to die. Everyone is living their life the way they want to and according to their circumstances. quite frankly i appreciate a 20 hour stop over. Just drive in and stay connected, in morning move on. Is easier than going to a caravan park, maybe off the highway And having to navigate around small roads in park etc. Big thankyou to all truck drivers.
Because it is just off the highway and after driving a long time, it is convenient to stop overnight n start again the next morning. I am concerned that not allowing overnight stops will encourage caravanners to travel longer and more fatigued thus creating more accidents. Ie. when in the past people have stopped for an overnight rest half way into their journey but now may decide to keep driving.
Surely the real solution is for councils and/or the road authority to provide *more* rest areas - clearly the need is there so rather than fining people accommodate them, we pay enough fuel tax and registration after all.
Rest areas in Australia are generally disgraceful in both facilities and attractiveness. Take a look at rest areas on the major roads in Europe, especially France, large, well designed and laid out, clean toilets and showers, play areas for children, shade, good tables and benches.
www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/using-roads/trip-information/rest-areas/map/index.html#?lat=-31.6211&lon=148.8413&z=6
BUT for lobbying to be successful there has to be a responsible response from users. And that is the problem. While many here on these forums are responsible and many belong to RV clubs and understand the issues. Many folks aren't aware, nor care, about regulations. Finding a solution that suits everyone and having them obey the regulations is the key. The problem is that there will always be a small % of folks who don't know or don't care. It's that small % that will dictate how the authorities react. All we can do as individuals is to do the right thing and hope that our acts influence others.
Agree. In Northern new south wales i only know of yelgun for caravans. Nothing worse than driving fatigued. Was heading that way next month but now have decided to travel in qld. N spend my money where i am welcome.
Umpire 1 ,Yes , but not many spaces .
-- Edited by goldcoaster on Thursday 23rd of January 2020 06:45:45 AM
-- Edited by goldcoaster on Thursday 23rd of January 2020 06:47:18 AM
Somebody else must be driving while you sleep, plenty of rest areas but could do with more, if only to keep the Gonads happy. (Tongue in cheek!).
Vehicles towing a caravan or those with a motorhome are not subject to the same rules.
IMHO it is wrong to park in a truck designated position and I do not think it is necessary to stay any longer than 4 hours. If you need to stay overnight do what I do and pay to use a caravan park.
We as caravan & motorhome travellers do not have the right to expect "free" camps to be provided for us.
In the case of the motorway new increased pricing for caravans there is an alternative route that is not tolled. I have a motorhome that is higher than 2.8 mtrs so have been paying the truck rate forever. I am prepared to absorb the outrageous toll charge to make my journey around Sydney easier.
I have taken notice of my late friend who always said " do not sweat the small stuff"
Rest areas are for resting at any time of the day or night. The road rules state that if you need a rest or a sleep pull over so you don`t kill yourself or some one else.
I have spoke to a NSW police officer about this subject and he told me that the police in NSW will not move you on if you are resting or sleeping.
Remember the incident in Kununurra when a ranger handed out a $100 fine to a fellow who pulled up for a sleep. The fellow went to the council and told them he would see them in court, the council wavered the fine because they knew they could not win.