As "Grey Nomads" for the past four years, travelling widely throughout this great country of ours, we have experienced good and bad things about facilities that interest this growing band of travellers who are spending their hard earned retirement and life savings earned over a 40 year +period. And guess what, we want to spend that money in your town!
We spend money daily on the following sort of things:
(1)Fuel
(2)Food
(3)Drink
(4)Papers & Books
(5)Computer & Phone Supplies
(6)Tyres
(7)Car services
(8)Coffee shop Breaks
(9)Chemists
(10)Doctors
(11)Caravan Parks
(12)Entertainment
(13)Tours
(14)Fishing Gear
(15)Post Office
(16)Real Estate
(17)Bike Hire
(18)Boat Hire
(19)Fishing Charters
(20)Sky Diving
The list could go on and would vary depending on the needs of the individual. But guess what? None of our money stays in your town or your community if we drive straight through without stopping in your area. And from experience by us and others that we meet on our travels it happens, quite a lot.
So what can you do to encourage us to stop in your area, not just in your main town but all beach areas along the coastal area of your shire council boundaries? And spend our money
Firstly let me tell you the average Grey Nomad has spent around $100-$180,000 for a car/caravan combination & up to $300-$500,000 on a mobile home and are very responsible people and treat camp sites with respect, but like in all walks of life there may be the odd irresponsible one which will ignore signs and directives. These people will do as they like irrespective of what the signs say anyway.
However the majority are tidy and respectful. So why penalise the majority for the actions of the minority?
Without exception all these combinations are solar powered, have their own showers and toilets these days, therefore fully self contained and have no need for toilets and have no reason to squat behind trees and bushes & leave paper everywhere. (Their arthritis, hip and knee replacements, restricts this activity also!!)
So what are we respectfully asking of you.
We are asking for all "NO CAMPING" signs to be change to "CAMPING FOR SELF
CONTAINED UNITS ONLY" 20 hours limit All litter to be taken out with you.
For the very popular areas a composting type toilet would be useful but not essential.
A well signposted dump site, in the local town area, to empty waste tanks, and to top up with water.
Some easy long bay parking areas, to make it easier to stop and do shopping, well signposted.
You are no doubt aware that most coastal town caravan parks are filling up with chalets at the expense of caravan bays and for the ones that require caravan park space, are finding it harder and harder to get a spot, therefore if our above request is acted upon it would make it easier for the people who need the services that caravan parks provide to get in.
Also us free campers spend the money they save on caravan park rent on other businesses in town anyway.
We and others by the hundreds just keep driving until we find more camper
friendly areas where we happily spend our budgeted daily dollars.
Many eastern state towns & some W.A. towns have woken up to the value of us "GREY NOMADS" and are providing these suggestions and benefiting every business in their towns. The more dollars left behind the more it circulates.
And guess what? A lot of us responsible campers clear up other less responsible campers rubbish too, to try and improve the image of the whole travelling community.
I am hoping that this letter and it's suggestions does not fall on deaf ears and you miss out on this rapidly growing tourist industry section. If you doubt my word, just randomly interview a number of self contained travellers yourself, which will confirm the above suggestions.
We cannot tolerate being squeezed into smaller and smaller spaces as is the case these days in most coastal caravan parks.
We just drive on through.
Sincerely
J C
Nomad
We are trying to do a bit to help our local area see FREE CAMPING 17-08-11 Forum
JC
jimbo said
09:29 AM Aug 22, 2011
Sounds great too me......The Caravan park owners will not miss out..Because most of us do like to stay at a reasonable priced park once in a while....And Councils will still get their cut.......Asked to have it filed at the councils next general meeting
_wombat_ said
09:37 AM Aug 22, 2011
Great idea Crisjon, can I copy that and send it to our local council?
needs a web address at the bottom,(not a link, just the address) perhaps ask Cindy if we can do that first, don't think she will object
sandsmere said
09:38 AM Aug 22, 2011
Sounds pretty good to me too .
Well done chrisjon . Some councils will take notice , and that can only be good for us all .
sucastja said
09:39 AM Aug 22, 2011
A very well worded letter - I hope they pay some attention to it
Crisjon said
09:54 AM Aug 22, 2011
Hi Wombat,
Yes go ahead, I have already sent it to all the W.A.coastal councils from Exmouth-Busselton, I have had replies from two. One very possitve.
You can contact Cindy if you wish
JC
shazartist said
10:04 AM Aug 22, 2011
A positive proactive attitude Crisjon, a much better approach than just complaining and doing nothing.
I haven't done too much Camping so I have no real personal knowledge, although I hope to soon.
I am starting to understand many of the issues just through reading up on Free camping blogs.
regards. Sharon
_wombat_ said
10:15 AM Aug 22, 2011
Crisjon wrote:
Hi Wombat,
Yes go ahead, I have already sent it to all the W.A.coastal councils from Exmouth-Busselton, I have had replies from two. One very possitve.
You can contact Cindy if you wish
JC
Did you send it to Rockingham council?
Crisjon said
10:22 AM Aug 22, 2011
Just checked, No I seem to have missed them! jc
_wombat_ said
10:35 AM Aug 22, 2011
I'll do that now
jimbo said
03:07 PM Aug 22, 2011
I hope the Mackay and Sarina Councils recieve this email....They are as greedy as I 'v ever had to deal with.........Because of a couple of Caravan Parks...Qld
Happywanderer said
03:15 PM Aug 22, 2011
Hear Hear, I agree with absolutely everything you have said Crisjon. Well written.
NandK said
03:36 PM Aug 22, 2011
Well said Crisjon,let's hope that they take notice and do something possitive for a change.
Esmeralda said
03:52 PM Aug 22, 2011
Well said Crisjon - I hope the councils take some notice.
davkar said
05:16 PM Aug 22, 2011
Well presented letter and we agree with this well done. Regards
justcruisin01 said
06:46 PM Aug 22, 2011
Crisjon; Thats it in a nut shell mate, getting them to act is another thing, If they dont then we just drive on as you have stated. Well done.
Cruising Granny said
11:41 PM Aug 22, 2011
The nomads have the numbers and there's enough to go around for everyone to get a little bit. Spread it far and wide. I just wish the over-the-top van parks realised they'd be better off charging less to increase turnover, rather than the campers driving past the gate of a moderately empty/busy park. Great initiative. We do have a voice. Let's use it! The park I'm living in currently is reasonably priced, and well situated in relation to the city of Adelaide. They charge $28/night powered site, but charge for 6 out of 7 if you stay the week. It's a nice park, and the amenities are of a high standard.
goinsoon said
11:44 PM Aug 22, 2011
I am currently at Inverell showground basic but $15.00 a night and 10 vans or so , caravan park across the road almost empty
Vic said
04:07 PM Aug 23, 2011
My only concern is not everyone has the room or capacity to be Self Contained, I would rather see at least a long drop or compost toilet at these locations so those who do not have the capacity to be self contained (eg; small campervans etc) have the option of staying overnight also.
Having been classified by CMCA as a self contained caravan at one time I am aware of what is needed to be fully self contained, but now with a campervan due to space/storage restrictions there is now way I could comply with this requirement. Would be able to catch and carry away grey water though, but would need the toilet facilities. Let's make it fair for all concerned, I don't like being forced into a caravan park either.
Saw this link on another forum, apparently on another somewhere also, see;
I'ts a big read Peter, but shows the concern the RV users have over the efforts to stamp out free camping and force us all into caravan parks.
Chonga makes a good point about nothing was said about how many caravan parks are building cabins on what were previously caravan sites and had no concern about taking business from motels etc, but now are bleating about caravanners not coming into their parks.
Like someone else mentioned, for those doing the big loop, with prices the way they are going the average person cannot afford to stay in caravan parks every night bearing in mind that increasing fuel costs also add to their financial burden.
Sheba said
07:27 PM Aug 24, 2011
Love the new Avatar Vic,
Cheers,
Sheba.
Vic said
11:26 PM Aug 24, 2011
Sheba wrote:
Love the new Avatar Vic,
Cheers,
Sheba.
Thanks Sheba, his rather large undercarriage was showing, so I had to put some undies on him, lol
_wombat_ said
08:09 AM Aug 25, 2011
Sheba wrote:
Love the new Avatar Vic,
Cheers,
Sheba.
It looks like Vic
Sheba said
05:30 PM Aug 25, 2011
Now why was I waiting for that Wombat ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
_wombat_ said
06:33 PM Aug 25, 2011
Sheba, you bin reading my mind eh
Vic said
08:37 PM Aug 25, 2011
_wombat_ wrote:
Sheba wrote:
Love the new Avatar Vic,
Cheers,
Sheba.
It looks like Vic
That was before I found out about hair removal......Like your new one Wombat, it's a beauty! Hang onto that one for awhile, especially the evil grin!!!!
Grey Nomad's by the Thousands!
As "Grey Nomads" for the past four years, travelling widely throughout this great country of ours, we have experienced good and bad things about facilities that interest this growing band of travellers who are spending their hard earned retirement and life savings earned over a 40 year +period. And guess what, we want to spend that money in your town!
We spend money daily on the following sort of things:
(1) Fuel
(2) Food
(3) Drink
(4) Papers & Books
(5) Computer & Phone Supplies
(6) Tyres
(7) Car services
(8) Coffee shop Breaks
(9) Chemists
(10) Doctors
(11) Caravan Parks
(12) Entertainment
(13) Tours
(14) Fishing Gear
(15) Post Office
(16) Real Estate
(17) Bike Hire
(18) Boat Hire
(19) Fishing Charters
(20) Sky Diving
The list could go on and would vary depending on the needs of the individual. But guess what? None of our money stays in your town or your community if we drive straight through without stopping in your area. And from experience by us and others that we meet on our travels it happens, quite a lot.
So what can you do to encourage us to stop in your area, not just in your main town but all beach areas along the coastal area of your shire council boundaries? And spend our money
Firstly let me tell you the average Grey Nomad has spent around $100-$180,000 for a car/caravan combination & up to $300-$500,000 on a mobile home and are very responsible people and treat camp sites with respect, but like in all walks of life there may be the odd irresponsible one which will ignore signs and directives. These people will do as they like irrespective of what the signs say anyway.
However the majority are tidy and respectful. So why penalise the majority for the actions of the minority?
Without exception all these combinations are solar powered, have their own showers and toilets these days, therefore fully self contained and have no need for toilets and have no reason to squat behind trees and bushes & leave paper everywhere. (Their arthritis, hip and knee replacements, restricts this activity also!!)
So what are we respectfully asking of you.
We are asking for all "NO CAMPING" signs to be change to "CAMPING FOR SELF
CONTAINED UNITS ONLY" 20 hours limit All litter to be taken out with you.
For the very popular areas a composting type toilet would be useful but not essential.
A well signposted dump site, in the local town area, to empty waste tanks, and to top up with water.
Some easy long bay parking areas, to make it easier to stop and do shopping, well signposted.
You are no doubt aware that most coastal town caravan parks are filling up with chalets at the expense of caravan bays and for the ones that require caravan park space, are finding it harder and harder to get a spot, therefore if our above request is acted upon it would make it easier for the people who need the services that caravan parks provide to get in.
Also us free campers spend the money they save on caravan park rent on other businesses in town anyway.
We and others by the hundreds just keep driving until we find more camper
friendly areas where we happily spend our budgeted daily dollars.
Many eastern state towns & some W.A. towns have woken up to the value of us "GREY NOMADS" and are providing these suggestions and benefiting every business in their towns. The more dollars left behind the more it circulates.
And guess what? A lot of us responsible campers clear up other less responsible campers rubbish too, to try and improve the image of the whole travelling community.
I am hoping that this letter and it's suggestions does not fall on deaf ears and you miss out on this rapidly growing tourist industry section. If you doubt my word, just randomly interview a number of self contained travellers yourself, which will confirm the above suggestions.
We cannot tolerate being squeezed into smaller and smaller spaces as is the case these days in most coastal caravan parks.
We just drive on through.
Sincerely
J C
Nomad
We are trying to do a bit to help our local area see FREE CAMPING 17-08-11 Forum
JC
Sounds great too me......The Caravan park owners will not miss out..Because most of us do like to stay at a reasonable priced park once in a while....And Councils will still get their cut.......Asked to have it filed at the councils next general meeting
Great idea Crisjon, can I copy that and send it to our local council?
needs a web address at the bottom,(not a link, just the address) perhaps ask Cindy if we can do that first, don't think she will object
Sounds pretty good to me too .
Well done chrisjon . Some councils will take notice , and that can only be good for us all .
Hi Wombat,
Yes go ahead, I have already sent it to all the W.A.coastal councils from Exmouth-Busselton, I have had replies from two. One very possitve.
You can contact Cindy if you wish
JC
A positive proactive attitude Crisjon, a much better approach than just complaining and doing nothing.
I haven't done too much Camping so I have no real personal knowledge, although I hope to soon.
I am starting to understand many of the issues just through reading up on Free camping blogs.
regards.
Sharon
Did you send it to Rockingham council?
jc
I'll do that now
I hope the Mackay and Sarina Councils recieve this email....They are as greedy as I 'v ever had to deal with.........Because of a couple of Caravan Parks...Qld
Well said Crisjon - I hope the councils take some notice.
Regards
Crisjon; Thats it in a nut shell mate, getting them to act is another thing, If they dont then we just drive on as you have stated. Well done.
I just wish the over-the-top van parks realised they'd be better off charging less to increase turnover, rather than the campers driving past the gate of a moderately empty/busy park.
Great initiative. We do have a voice. Let's use it!
The park I'm living in currently is reasonably priced, and well situated in relation to the city of Adelaide.
They charge $28/night powered site, but charge for 6 out of 7 if you stay the week. It's a nice park, and the amenities are of a high standard.
I am currently at Inverell showground basic but $15.00 a night and 10 vans or so , caravan park across the road almost empty
My only concern is not everyone has the room or capacity to be Self Contained, I would rather see at least a long drop or compost toilet at these locations so those who do not have the capacity to be self contained (eg; small campervans etc) have the option of staying overnight also.
Having been classified by CMCA as a self contained caravan at one time I am aware of what is needed to be fully self contained, but now with a campervan due to space/storage restrictions there is now way I could comply with this requirement. Would be able to catch and carry away grey water though, but would need the toilet facilities. Let's make it fair for all concerned, I don't like being forced into a caravan park either.
Saw this link on another forum, apparently on another somewhere also, see;
http://www.caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=19115
-- Edited by Vic on Tuesday 23rd of August 2011 04:08:23 PM
Hi Vic
These links may also be of some interest:
http://www.candm.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=11009
http://www.candm.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=11157
http://www.candm.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=11087
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18911
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18570
IT IS A HOT TOPIC
Peter
I'ts a big read Peter, but shows the concern the RV users have over the efforts to stamp out free camping and force us all into caravan parks.
Chonga makes a good point about nothing was said about how many caravan parks are building cabins on what were previously caravan sites and had no concern about taking business from motels etc, but now are bleating about caravanners not coming into their parks.
Like someone else mentioned, for those doing the big loop, with prices the way they are going the average person cannot afford to stay in caravan parks every night bearing in mind that increasing fuel costs also add to their financial burden.
Love the new Avatar Vic,
Cheers,
Sheba.
Thanks Sheba, his rather large undercarriage was showing, so I had to put some undies on him, lol
It looks like Vic
Now why was I waiting for that Wombat ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
Sheba, you bin reading my mind eh
That was before I found out about hair removal......Like your new one Wombat, it's a beauty! Hang onto that one for awhile, especially the evil grin!!!!
It's sometimes wide open Wombat.
Cheers,
Sheba.
So you enjoy short stories Shjeba...
grubby