Central Coast Council will install new signage at its reserves and carparks prohibiting free parking between 10pm and 5am in a bid to stamp out illegal free camping in beach carparks.
Deputy Mayor Doug Eaton was successful in getting Council to agree to a number of measures regarding free camping amid fears the issue would “dramatically” increase over Summer holidays.
His motion, put to the December Council meeting, included directing CEO David Farmer to urgently review and install signage to prohibit free parking at Council reserves and carparks and for Council’s rangers to enforce the restrictions immediately.
Following some amendments, the motion was passed with the Mayor’s casting vote.
It also stated that in cases of genuine homelessness, Council rangers are to offer referral to appropriate support services.
The motion also moved that Council staff negotiate with the NRMA as the operators of council caravan parks to offer temporary free or subsidised accommodation to the genuine homeless for a short period and that staff investigate other appropriate accommodation options.
The CEO is to report back to Council in February on the implementation and effectiveness of these measures and other relevant issues.
“My concern is that these illegal free campers are taking up beachside parking spots making them unavailable for residents and tourists,” Eaton said.
He told the meeting that if enforcement was not carried out, carparks and reserves would be overrun in the Summer school holiday period.
The move follows a number of complaints by Budgewoi residents late last year about the high number of people camping at the two carparks at Lakes Beach.
Residents said some were living at the carparks for weeks and even months at a time.
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.
Another resident who travels past the carparks every day said sometimes the second carpark was full of campers.
With no toilet facilities, the residents believe campers are using nearby bush.
“Local ratepayers are not happy,” one resident said.
“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.”
Denice Barnes
I pass Lakes Beach two or three times on most days. All carparks including the Surf Club are never 100% full. Yes there are a few campers in caravans,buses and the odd tent.Some have been there for a couple of weeks but I’m yet to see any detrimental impact. Jenny Dickson Reserve attracts the odd camper as does the top car park at Soldier’s. Very few of these are travelling campers touring our country. Most are living in there’s due to high rents, low availability ect.
Leave them alone,they just want to live quietly, they do no harm. The old saying ” there but for the grace of God go I ” could apply to any of us.
It’s one thing to put up signs but how will it be policed? Our local beach carpark has half a dozen regular overnight campers and 3 that have taken up permanent residence. Slowly more and more see this and think it’s a free for all.