Yes to free camping, says Hay Shire Council

By Tertia Butcher.

Free camping at Sandy Point again reared its head, briefly, at a recent extraordinary meeting of Hay Shire Council.

In a Notice of Motion by retiring councillor, Peter Handford, Council was asked to impose a fee on campers using the facilities at popular Sandy Point Reserve.

“For what it costs us, I feel we need to get something out of it. It’s been going on for a long time,” Cr Handford said.

“We already have ‘tap and go’ facilities at all museums in town and are soon to have the same at the truck wash.

“Therefore, I feel it’s only fair we have the same for the camping area.

“This camp site comes at a cost to council re cleaning, garbage collection and water.

“The town also provides free dumping facilities for grey water.

“I know of no other town that provides free potable water to campers like we do.

“A reasonable fee would be $20 per night. Those not prepared to pay this small fee are probably the same campers that will not contribute to our town businesses.

“The argument that they will no longer stop in Hay is not really valid because if they continue on, they will be paying higher fees at the next stop and will also have to travel a lot further to get there.”

General Manager, David Webb said development approval for the free camping at Sandy Point was first granted in 2008.

Council’s Plan of Management (POM) was approved by Crown Lands for Bushy Bend and Sandy Point Reserves permits camping at Sandy Point.

“Any charging of a fee at Sandy Point would be contrary to the Minister approved POM, being a recreational area free to all users,” Mr Webb said.

“Council provides daily cleaning of the facilities and rubbish removal as this a public reserve that Council maintains, regardless primarily for community use.

“Water is provided as required under the Regulations for Primitive Camping.”

Mr Webb said Council provides potable water at no cost at the Tourist Centre, Cal Car Park and Hay Park as well as an RV dump point on Dunera Way for all caravaners, including those that stay in Caravan Parks or at the Showgrounds.

He said Council does not provide any firewood, and Council’s Ranger undertakes patrols from time to time.

Estimate of cost to Council providing free camping at Sandy Point is $4,735 per annum.

“If Council was to implement a fee for camping at Sandy Point, legislation requires that a register of campers must be kept of all campers, increasing the cost to Council by an estimated $54,750 per annum,” Mr Webb added.

“This would be anticipated to be more than any fees recovered from the campers.

“Free camping is a different market to fare paying, General Manager, David Webb said.

“Currently the Showground offers powered sites for $20 a night.

“This results in an annual income to the Showground Trust, averaging 13 visitors per night.

“This again supports the market segmentation.

“If the free campers were looking for sites other than Sandy Point, it would be safe to assume the Showground would have significantly higher visitation.

“In 2023 the Visitor Economy in Hay LGA was worth $37.63 million (60.3 per cent of total spend).

This includes consumer staples (food/groceries/fuel), discretionary spend (dining/retail/accommodation/caravan parks/attractions) and services (mechanics/beauty/medical).

“By comparison, resident spend for the same period was $24.79 million.”

However, Cr Paul Porter disputed these figures, saying every business owner in Lachlan Street should be driving a Rolls Royce.

“These are real data, not made-up figures,” Mr Webb replied.

“Figures for June 2024 from Destinations NSW (DNSW) identify that the main visitor segment to Hay remains the over 65 years of age retirees with higher-than-average affluence scores – not the traditional grey nomads, but baby boomers with high disposable income.

“The demographics are significantly represented within the Caravan and Camping segment as defined by DNSW.”

Mr Webb warned that given the short distances between locations, known travel patterns suggest that a fee at Sandy Point would discourage a stay in Hay with travellers bypassing the town to the next free camp.

He said currently the reputation of Sandy Point as a free camp site acts as a significant attraction to Hay, drawing visitors from other free camps because of additional visitor experiences, access to supermarkets, pubs, clubs and fuel stations.

Cr Geoff Chapman agreed, saying the benefits of free camping far outweighed the costs.

Cr Handford’s motion was lost (3-4) when put to the vote.

Council further resolved to approve the extension of consent for a further five years for primitive camping at Sandy Point Reserve.

Cr Handford requested his vote against the recommendation be recorded.