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Darwin's Mindl Beach Market attracts backpackers and grey nomads alike. Photo: courtesy of NT Tourism
April 19, 2013
Darwin looks set to crack down hard on free campers who park up for the night in city streets or car parks. The Northern Territory News reports that Darwin council would like to introduce clamping of tyres and towing of vehicles that stay illegally across the city.
?We know from experience we are not getting enough traction from fines,? the Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim told the NT News. ?We are looking at harsher penalties to try and change the behaviour of backpackers ? everybody is fed up with it.?
While the high numbers of backpackers living out of cars or small vans appears to be the main target of the new push for tougher action, some budget-minded grey nomads will inevitably be affected.
Darwin City Council has said it also wants the power to chase illegal campers to their home countries to recover unpaid fines ? even though this would require a change in Commonwealth legislation. ?The council has found only 30% of fines against backpackers sleeping in vans are paid as the Fines Recovery Unit can?t recover fines once the alleged offender has left Australia.
?This activity destroys the amenity of our public open spaces, creates littering issues, undermines the accommodation industry and is not tolerated by the local residents,? read the agenda for a recent council meeting. ?The overwhelming view is that illegal vehicle-based camping is not tolerated by residents and businesses ? this is a regular source of public anger and complaint to council.?
After talking to free campers who complained about the high cost of camping in Darwin, the NT News says it conducted its own research and found the average cost for seven nights at a camping ground in Darwin and surrounds was $331 for a powered site.
The NT News reports the cost of a Top End caravan park powered site per week were:
- KOA and Malak Caravan Park $340, plus power
- Hidden Valley Tourist Park $350
- Darwin Free Spirit Resort $266
- Shady Glen Tourist Park $364
- Boomerang Caravan Park $322
- Lee Point Village Resort $345
However, the mayor insists the cost of accommodation is not the council?s problem.
?We don?t have control over what camping people charge,? Ms Fong Lim said. ?If you visit our great city make sure you have enough money to pay for it.?
Is the mayor right? Should people who can?t afford to stay in caravan parks simply stay at home? Where do you stay when you visit Darwin? Comment below.
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Source: http://thegreynomads.com.au/2013/04/illegal-campers-targeted-in-darwin-clamp-down/
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