Free camping banned at Queensland park
RV travellers no longer able to free camp at popular Rockhampton stop-offA court has ruled that ‘free camping’ at the Council-run Kershaw Gardens in Rockhampton, Queensland is ‘unlawful’ under the Planning Act, with February 15, 2019 set down as the last day for free camping at the site.
The court ruling is a win for state industry body Caravanning Queensland, which represents caravan parks in the state.
“The Association was always of the view that the accommodation use of Kershaw Gardens went beyond the ordinary use of a park,” Caravanning Queensland General Manager Michelle Weston said.
“We originally raised our concerns about the free camping at Kershaw Gardens with Council in July 2014 regarding the unlawful use and the impacts on the competitiveness of a number of local caravan park operators.
“The fact that the accommodation offered was provided free of charge was detrimentally impacting the business of our members, in light of the continuation of this unlawful development and in the interest of our members, including local caravan park operators, we were left with little alternative but to take legal action.”
A popular Bruce Hwy stop-off, Kershaw Gardens features walking tracks, an artificial waterfall and children’s play arrea, and offered free camping for up to 20 self-contained RVs at a time, with a 48 hours limit.
As part of the court order, the Rockhampton Council has to remove any camping signage from the area, and advise the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) that camping is no longer permitted.
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