Budgewoi residents are fed up with “squatters” living for weeks or even months at a time in carparks at Lakes Beach in tents, caravans and motor homes.
One resident who did not want to be named said a bus in the Lakes Beach Surf Club carpark had been there for more than a month and was in the same spot last year for four months.
But a second carpark with no toilet facilities, more remote and further away from the surf club, attracted the most campers.
The resident said one van and a tent had been there for about five months.
Last week there were six vans and caravans in the carpark.
Another resident who travels past the carparks every day said sometimes the second carpark was full of campers.
“Some seem to be ordinary caravanners with nice motor homes just camping overnight, but others look like they are living there permanently; there’s even a clothesline,” he said.
With no toilet facilities, the residents believe campers are using nearby bush.
“Local ratepayers are not happy,” one resident said.
“It’s a $300 fine for camping in national park carparks.
“Council should be policing these areas and should either charge or put up a sign that says no camping.
“Locals would love to have a house on the beach but cannot afford it.
“They are taking up all the parking spaces and I don’t think it’s fair for local ratepayers.”
A Central Coast Council spokesperson said Council’s parking officers and rangers actively responded to complaints regarding alleged illegal parking and camping.
They also undertake proactive patrols of known hotspots due to several issues including the reduction in accessible parking spots and the inappropriate management of waste and wastewater.
The spokesperson said Council had improved its signage at Lakes Beach to clearly state what is and what is not permitted in terms of parking and camping.
“As a result of this improved signage, Council has taken enforcement action in relation to people who were allegedly illegally parking and or camping with some moving on as a result,” the spokesperson said.
“Council staff also work with our outreach team to provide services to people that are rendered genuinely homeless and unable to move into alternative accommodation.
“As always, Council will action complaints and concerns from the community as required, and Council’s parking officers and rangers will continue to patrol this location and take appropriate action where people are using the space inappropriately or unlawfully.”
Since Evil governments lined up heir pockets with billions and made poor poorer and house prices to skyrocket,it’s harder for people to find accommodation.to.duit their budgets.
Give everyone a break and blame Governments globally. Help set up toilets for them instead of complaining bc U never know when U will find urself in this situation.
Maybe if the Central Coast caravan parks didn’t charge such high rates then travellers might book into the caravan park and not camp in car parks. Some caravan parks need a lot of attention, aged amenities and not so good sites.
stop winging these people are not hurting anybody some local residents need to get a life.
This is also an issue at The Entrance with car parks at Picnic Point and North Entrance hosting a large number of overnight and long term campers. Apart fro erecting signs prohibiting overnight parking anothing seems to have changed. Some are people who are homeless and their situation should be considered with empathy. Just the same, they are taking up parking spaces for boat owners and legal day use patrons.
Well, while the rangers are being so proactive, they should take a small sidetrack down to the North Entrance carpark, near the bridge. All you can see there, are campers and vans.
life is short let people enjoy living like this it isn’t hurting no one. I hunt and dive every weekend and I travel Qld,Melbourne,Sydney all around Australia a lot and I pull up in a rooftop enjoy my view by stopping this would make me pay more for something I don’t need to enjoy waking up to the beach or bush view is the best.
my husband put a complaint into Council over 12 months ago about beach side campers at Budgewoi and nothing was done about it. In fact I know of a number of complaints put into council and nothing has been done.
Since the arrival of so many to the Coast, there are less and less rentals, And the one’s that are available are just not affordable for so many people. In a housing crisis like this one we need more affordable housing Its no wonder people are residing in tents.
mind your xxx business you xxholes, some people don’t have a home because of pathetic governments, how are these unfortunate people bothering you, ya putrid little runts
Homelessness is a sad state of affairs but what gives them the right to camp at the waterfront for free when we have to pay exorbitant rates for the privilege.It is also an eyesight for the tourists who frequent our coastline
You should be arguing that the exorbitant rates are too high. Everyone has the right to use Australian public land.
If you want to camp down at the beach car park, you can, but I doubt you want to.
Also, I haven’t heard any tourists complain. In fact, I’ve seen them chatting with these locals. They’re nice people in poor situations.
No, we aren’t fed up. They’re absolutely fine, not causing anyone any problems. There’s always plenty of parking at all out Budgewoi beaches.
Saying that “some seem to be caravanners with nice motorhome” implies that people with money are allowed to stay there, but those that are struggling are not. What lack of human kindness that is.
Anyone who thinks these homeless people “have a house next to the beach” are absolutely kidding themselves. These people would love to have any kind of house, at all.
We should be helping these people by setting up a designated free camping area. Giving them fines and kicking them out from the beach isn’t going to solve any problems. Where are they meant to go? I’m sure you would hate it even more to find them parked out the front of your house because you kicked them out from where they bothered no one.
So sad to see the lack of empathy from those who have a secure place to live for those that do not, walk a mile in my shoes, live and let live.
How many are homeless?
Maybe if the cost for a site at a campground or caravan Park was cheaper, these people would use those facilities. I just checked the price at local caravan parks for a powered site for my dad to stay at for a week while visiting from QLD. His van has solar power and own bathroom facilities. Average price was $90 per night. Even unpowered sites were around $50 per night. Most gray nomads still have a budget and those prices are just ridiculous.