by Mat Churchill

Following on from the Newsport article 'Budget van travellers growth explosion' on Tuesday, we have since talked with Paul Hoye, Environmental Assessment Coordinator for Cairns Regional Council.

We asked Mr Hoye how Council sees the growing problem of budget travellers scouring the streets in search of a free site with a view.

The Newsport: What is the issue with budget campervans, such as  those from Wicked, camping in public spaces?

Paul Hoye: Camping, including staying overnight in a van, in a public place without the approval of Council is an offence under the relevant local law. Many residents also resent that people are using public places to park their vans and spend the night for free.

Whilst 95% of these campers are quiet and cause no problems, a small minority are noisy and obtrusive resulting in an impact on residents or occupants of accommodation in the nearby vicinity.
 

NP: How is this issue being managed at present?
 
PH: Council local laws officers undertake daily early morning patrols of parks, reserves and other areas used by campers. These areas range from north of the Daintree River down to south of Wangetti. Campers are generally issued with a warning for the first offence and issued with a fine if they are found camping in a public place on another occasion.

Some evening and night patrols have also been undertaken in Port Douglas and new and larger signage has been placed in some of the problem areas.

Last year approximately 1000 campers were moved on in the former Douglas Shire area and in the calendar year to date 369 campers have been issued with warnings, information on camping areas or fined.

Currently, efforts to reduce public camping have been made more difficult as there is very limited space at many of the caravan parks .
 

NP: Is this action adequate? If not, what needs to happen?
 
PH: Current actions are adequate given the serious considerations of resources taken up by this issue and the fact that Council officers are restricted to action within the powers permitted under the local laws. One problem at the moment is where to send these campers.   They can't  be ordered to leave the Douglas area, and many want to stay close to Port Douglas or the beaches.

There may be future opportunities to restrict access to certain problematic spots such as parks and the Esplanade in Port Douglas through management plans and  traffic and parking restrictions in residential areas.
 

NP: Is the CRC working with Port Douglas police to rectify the issue?
 
PH: Council staff have held a meeting with members of the Port Douglas police station to discuss the camping issues and options are being explored.

Editor's comment: Let us know your thoughts on the influx of budget campervans to the area. Is it an eyesore creating social issues, or should we just relax and greet them with open arms?