Backlash as popular Aussie spot shuns tourists: ‘Watch the town die!’
Locals, businesses and travellers alike are frustrated by ban on riverside camping at Camooweal, believing it will set the town up for financial ruin.
A Queensland council’s decision to close a popular camping spot ahead of the town’s tourist season has angered local residents, businesses and visitors.
The Georgina River at Camooweal, located two hours west of Mt Isa and just 10 minutes from the Northern Territory border in the state's far northwest, attracts hordes of travellers during the dry season from May to September.
Just as the town’s busiest time of the year approaches, Mt Isa City Council announced the banks of the river and two major billabongs, Lake Francis and Lake Canellan, will be closed to public access and camping. Residents of Camooweal will still be allowed to visit the banks for fishing and water activities.
The decision has left the community divided, with the backlash similar to that seen in December when tourists were turned away from a seaside town in NSW due to traffic chaos.
Why is the river bank closed?
The council said the site will be closed for six months to “protect cultural heritage”, with Mt Isa’s Deputy Mayor Phil Barwick telling the ABC the area has been “quite trampled on”.
The site is managed by the Myuma Group, which represents the traditional owners of the upper Georgina River region.
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The move has not sat well with locals, with some speculating more closures will occur around the country with the introduction of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Yahoo News Australia has contacted Mt Isa City Council for more information on the closure.
Businesses worried about loss of tourism
The decision has rocked the small town of just 236 residents, with local businesses worried the closure will cause tourists to bypass Camooweal entirely in favour of other towns.
Mt Isa Mayor Danielle Slade apologised for the “inconvenience” and said the closure may actually have a “positive effect” on the town.
“Hopefully the temporary closure will have a positive effect on businesses in Camooweal, with campers and caravanners instead staying in the town’s caravan park,” Cr Slade said.
But workers at the Camooweal Roadhouse disagree.
“If they close it, yeah its going to affect us,” site manager Sandeep Kumar told Yahoo News.
Mr Kumar said he has been at the Roadhouse for almost four years and said he often sees travellers who come back year after year to visit the town and stay at the camping grounds.
“They’re regularly coming here in the store and they’re buying fuel and groceries and stuff, so if that happens, nobody is going to stay here, you know. That’s the favourite spot to stop here.”
Mr Kumar said council did not reach out to discuss the plans with local businesses, or give them any notice, before announcing the decision on Thursday.
How locals and travellers reacted
“Shows how much the mayor knows of Camooweal. Absolutely zilch… If the river is not available to tourists — this town will be a ghost town. Well done Mount Isa City Council. Don’t bother funding the Drovers Festival — the attendees will have no where to stay. Why would you do this at the start of a tourist season? Why do it at all?” - Sarah Young
“Well that’ll drive tourists to go elsewhere, smart move ……. NOT.” - Phil Duffield
“What a joke.” - Cyril Ellis
“It's a shame, Cammoweal is so small that is the main thing tourists stopped there, they spent some money in the shops and local watering hole too!!” - Mardi Sand
“This is very sad and will unfortunately impact the Camooweal community as grey nomads like us spend money in town before going to a camp. Like the one you are closing. Now we shall have to bypass the area as no where to stop close by.” - Anita Struck
“Why are councils so stupid. The town will suffer now as most people will keep driving past, so sad.” - Mazza Rarty
“Now watch the town die!! Who’s going to bother stopping when they can’t camp." - Joy Burns
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