Long-term campers using ratepayer-funded amenities in car parks at Ramsgate and Dolls Point have drawn the ire of residents.
Up to 10 campervans were parked opposite the beach at Ramsgate, near the intersection of The Grand Parade and Alice Street, last week.
One van had been parked there for more than eight weeks.
Another camper had set up a tent inside one of the large shelters at Peter Depena Reserve, Dolls Point.
Ian Connolly of Ramsgate said he wanted to know why Rockdale Council allowed holidaymakers to use toilets, bins, shelters and amenities maintained with ratepayers’ money.
‘‘I think the regulation officers are selective in applying their regulations because they are happy to fine people $330 for having dogs on the beach but they seem to do nothing about people camping here for weeks on end,’’ Mr Connolly said.
A Rockdale Council spokesman said regulation officers had little power to move people on because beachfront car parks formed part of the main road system and were subject to state laws.
Woollahra Council is seeking to amend rule 200 of Road Rules 2008 to allow local governments to forcibly move boats and trailers.
The council has written to 27 councils, including Hurstville, Rockdale, Kogarah and Sutherland, to gain support for time limits to be placed on how long registered trailers, boats, vans and advertising trailers would be parked on public roads in built-up areas.
‘‘Regulations officers and police alike are called upon to solve problems relating to overstay and normally a verbal warning is sufficient to move campers on,’’ the Rockdale Council spokesman said.
He said most campers were thoughtful and those who stayed for a few days benefited the economy.
Bill Wyres, of Carlton, said people camping long-term were ‘‘unhygienic and
disgusting’’.
‘‘I don’t mind a few days but not a few months,’’ Mr Wyres said. ‘‘Where do they wash? Where do they go to the toilet? Where do they dump their rubbish?’’
The Leader was met with hostility from some of the semi-permanent occupiers of the Ramsgate beach car park. None wished to comment.
Rockdale councillor James Macdonald said he was aware residents were upset by campers overstaying their welcome and believed they should be moved on.
‘‘The issue is that the car park may be a road-related area, which would not give the council the authority to move vehicles on,’’ Cr Macdonald said. ‘‘Council is unsure if they can act but are speaking to police to see what they can do.’’
The manager of The Grand Pines Tourist Park, opposite the main car park in Ramsgate, said it was rare for people to pay to use their amenities and it was hard to police who was entering and leaving the business.
Caption: Free holiday: Ian Connolly of Ramsgate says tourists are having free holidays in car parks maintained by ratepayers’ money. Above: Vans have taken up long-term positions in car parks at Dolls Point and Ramsgate.
Some Some visitors are homeless
Campers overstaying their welcome was not a problem unique to Rockdale Council but to all coastal towns across Australia, Rockdale MP and councillor John Flowers said.
Mr Flowers said attracting low-budget tourists to the area was a good thing but not when they stayed indefinitely.
‘‘I think it’s perfectly legitimate if they stay for a day or two or three but anything more over that is a bit rich,’’ Mr Flowers said. ‘‘I don’t think that’s a fair go at all. ’’
A Rockdale Council spokesman said one couple who spent more than eight weeks in the car park opposite the intersection of Alice Street and the Grand Parade were homeless and waiting for the Department of Housing to accommodate them.
Mr Flowers said he arranged for temporary housing for one woman who was living in a campervan at Ramsgate because she suffered severe diabetes.
She was now waiting for Department of Housing accommodation, he said.
‘‘As a general rule, we are opposed to people coming here and overstaying their welcome and if they do it would be a matter for the regulation officer to enforce the regulations and move them on.’’
A council spokesman said regulation officers had power to move people from shelters and grassed areas but not beachside car parks because it fell under state laws.
Should the vans be allowed to stay?
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