By MATT NICHOLLS
PEOPLE holidaying in caravans could bypass Armidale if plans to enforce paid camping at Dumaresq Dam proceed.
That’s the view of Dumaresq Progress Association executives Maria Hitchcock and Gavin Waters, who say Armidale will miss out on valuable visitors if caravaners are forced to pay to stay at the council-owned recreation facility.
“Some people don’t want to stay in a caravan park and enjoy the peace and quiet that Dumaresq Dam has to offer,” Ms Hitchcock said.
“This draft plan put forward by council says campers would not only have to pay, but would also have to drive into town and pay at the information centre.”
Mr Waters, who is a regular caravaner, said word would quickly spread among travellers about the lack of free camping in Armidale and families and grey nomads would simply bypass the town.
“It happened at Mudgee and there was outcry,” he said.
“Look at what free camping does to Bingara, there are caravaners staying there all the time, yet it’s a quiet little town.”
Armidale Dumaresq councillor Margaret O’Connor, who is the delegate for the Dumaresq area, said she would fight to have free camping remain at the dam.
“Council staff are saying that legislative guidelines mean it is required to charge campers, however I would like to see if there is a loophole,” she said.
“This is a matter that came before council a while ago, where it was decided not to charge campers, although this was subsequently subsceded in the draft plan.”
