As demands for camping and caravanning increased, so too is the desire of some landowners to let travelers stay on their property.
However, certain restrictions are quite tough regarding how this could be accomplished.
Gympie Regional Council in Queensland (Australia) has relaxed certain restrictions as a sign that certain local authorities are beginning to recognize the potential advantages of having grey nomads along with other travelers staying on private property close to locations where they could spend money.
According to a report, the council has ratified a plan to increase the number of tents, caravans, or cabins allowed on private property that does not require a development permit approval.
Under the changes, the number of tents, caravans, or cabins that can be accommodated on private blocks will be limited to eight.
The number of visitors that can be accommodated is limited to 48 or six guests per caravan. There was no limit previously.
It was also reported that the changes were enacted during a 30-minute public debate during which Councilor Bob Fredman raised concerns about the effects on neighbors and the environment.
He stressed it was vital for the council to ensure that those operating mini tourist parks follow the rules.
“I believe there should be some sort of application process, so people understand and know what their obligations are,” Fredman said.
“I know they own the land, so they’ve got certain rights to do many things, but the neighbors also have some rights.”
He added that there had been numerous instances of people disregarding neighbors’ rights in the past.
“Eight vans are a lot of effluents, a lot of noise,” Fredman said.
He also expressed concerns over the effects on the environment, as the campers were bathing with soap at Yabba Creek.
Director Adrian Burns said noise complaints regarding these sites would mainly be dealt with through the local council.
“That growth in the number of vans, we don’t believe it’s going to make a significant difference,” Burns said.
He claimed that the move was part of an effort to draw more people into the region and let landowners profit from their properties in different ways.
The plan was approved unanimously after an amendment to ease Fredman’s concerns.
The changes will be forwarded to the state government, which will decide whether to deliver them for a State interest review.
The state will give feedback to the council, which will also have the option to put the proposed changes to public scrutiny before declaring them as official.
