Crackdown on illegal campers
Shire of Augusta-Margaret River rangers and local police are teaming up to crack down on illegal campers.
Officers are planning late-night blitzes on illegal camping hot spots including Rotary Park at the entrance to Margaret River.
AMRSC chief executive Gary Evershed said ongoing complaints and feedback from the community about travellers overusing the shire’s public facilities forced the Shire to take action.
The proposal was raised by rangers during a forum last year.
“The issue of illegal camping is one that comes up every year and I understand that many community members are concerned about it,” he said.
“We have heeded those concerns and this year stepped up our efforts in combating the issue.”
Rangers and police kicked off a series of late night and early morning blitzes on February 6-7, issuing seven infringement notices to travellers caught sleeping in their vehicles.
Mr Evershed said the absence of time-limited parking in town meant travellers could stay as long as they wanted at a site during the day, but rangers and police could nab overnight stayers.
“In the past it has been difficult to issue infringements to campers who, for example, have their van parked at Rotary Park,” he said.
“But by doing the blitzes during the night we can catch them in the act of sleeping in their cars and tents.”
Despite the success of the first two blitzes, ranger Gavin Jennion said he was aware campers would shift away from central sites and move to more isolated, bush locations.
He said future blitzes would be broadened to track down illegal campers who had relocated.
“We are working with DEC rangers in tackling the issue of illegal campers and Shire rangers will respond to any public tip-offs,” he said.
“Those people who do choose to camp in prohibited areas can expect to be woken up at an ungodly hour, issued an infringement and moved on.”
He said illegal campers could be hit with fines of $100 per person.
Vinepower’s David Rankin said the blitzes had the “potential to upset a lot of travellers,” many of who came to Margaret River to contribute to the annual vintage harvests.
“A lot of them can’t find accommodation because the backpackers are full,” he said.
Vinepower had employed more than 250 fruit pickers this season and driving seasonal workers out of town with heavy-handed blitzes could hurt the viticulture industry, he said.
“These people do a remarkable job, so we have to look after them and make their stay in Maragaret River a positive one,” Mr Rankin told the Times.
Mr Evershed said the purpose of the blitzes was not to discourage visitors to the region, but redirect them to appropriate facilities.
“Often the illegal campers are young people who have come to the region for seasonal work,” he said.
“They make a valuable contribution to the Shire’s economy by assisting with the vintage harvest.”
“We do value their contribution to the local economy, but they need to use the available purpose-built camping facilities.”
Consideration had been put to establishing a free-camping zone in the shire, but Mr Evershed said the council did not have the funds or resources to invest in the project.
“At the moment our best option is cracking down on illegal camping and redirecting campers to alternative budget accommodation,” he said.
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