Maybe it's time the mining companies set themselves up a little better to accommodate their itinerant workers.
Villages with caravan sites would be perfect to suit their needs in the short and long term.
Unfortunately the mining boom and accommodation squeeze has set prices sky high, which is grossly greedy, and makes it difficult for the average traveller seeking caravan park accommodation whether it be van or cabin.
I'm sure the townships would be able to use the facilities when the mining moves on.
Then they want to shut down free camps as well.
What are we? Aliens?

golivers travels wrote:

---

i know this is not at Perth, but last year we were hoping to stay at Narrogin but found the caravan park was booked out by Railway workers. In hindsight it was a good thing, we found a home stay just out of the town that was sooo... much better. Would you really want to stay with heaps of workers? Again are we better off without those CP who are only intersted in itinerate clients Glenda

---

 With all the mining and railway work around WA country area now it seems to be happening quite a bit, including down south.  Last time I went to a caravan park in Harvey it was full of John Holland railway workers upgrading the lines, John Holland had bought in a number of transportable dongers for them.   The air at night could give you a pleasant high with the wafting of weed smoke, lol.   They were a pretty well behaved lot though unlike others I have seen in parks. 

I believe it is hard getting in Geraldton parks at the moment because of the new mining operation in that area just out of town.

Thought it may have been the one your were at Blaze, it's getting really tight around Perth and other WA areas for some caravan parks etc. 

You can't blame the caravan park operators for taking them in. It's their bread and butter. Tourists come and go, but the long-term workers are there for the duration.
It just clogs things up for the tourists.
I stayed in the park south of Geraldton in WA, and there were a lot of workers staying there as well.
The good thing is, if they're in the park they have to abide by the park rules, including curfew 9 or 10pm.
I have a worker staying in the cabin next to me sometimes. He's 23 and some of his work mates call in on the weekends to watch rugby or play cards etc, with the associated beverages.
They have all been great. They even invite "Granny" over for a beer or a game of cards. In fact I enjoy having them there.
They work long days starting very early, so they're tired and go to bed early.
It's just when there's a big project on there's never enough room for everyone at the time.

It's a matter of the crush being in some parts of the country while other parts of the country struggle with seasonal or financial matters.
I don't think the full parks are complaining about free camping. Then again, some people complain because they want it all, all the time.
To my way of thinking most free camping happens in places where people want to get away from it all, not camp in the middle of town for nothing, although that might a good idea.
The "get away from it all" places are on lakes, dams, creeks and rivers, or beaches and the bush and there are no caravan parks there anyway. There maybe a camping ground for a minimal fee.
I know a lot do it, but overall, I would think it's the minority which free camps all the time. It doesn't suit everyone to park it, and it doesn't suit everyone to free camp all the time.
I reckon it's a balance and there's a need for all.