Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and City of Busselton taskforce on illegal camping changes tack

A draft report looking into problems caused by the influx of visitors last summer in the Capes region will focus on “peak season” issues rather than the more prescriptive term “illegal camping”.

The preliminary findings from a joint Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and City of Busselton working party were provided to councillors last week, outlining its progress in reviewing data to report back to the council in September.

The report said the shire would consider taking on Busselton’s term for “peak season” pressures — with the city working on a new policy to address it — rather than illegal camping.

“The relevance of the peak season context is that many of the impacts frequently attributed to illegal camping are likely due to a number of different causes related to increased visitation and changing trends in how people visit, stay and use the attractions in the region,” the report said.

“Any project that focuses solely on ‘illegal camping’ is likely to fall short in addressing many of the issues that are faced by residents during the peak season.”

It was also noted residents reporting illegal camping sometimes misidentified visitors using popular areas until the evening, after which they went elsewhere.

The new taskforce examined the work of a similar group set up in 2011, which tanked without any outcomes to address pressure on public areas from illegal camping alongside a shortage of seasonal accommodation for wine and tourism industry workers.

But the new team said there had been changes over the past decade, with a post-pandemic renaissance for van life and a more mobile global workforce.

“It appears tourism visitation has doubled since the last shire investigation into illegal camping in 2012-13, highlighting a significant increase in the number of visitors to the region over the past decade,” the report said.

There have been numerous calls on social media from residents to tackle the thorny issue of illegal camping.

But ratepayers had also lodged objections during the rates advertising process which included calls to establish an overflow facility for van travellers.

“Start with camping facilities that backpackers can be directed to and pay nominal fees for instead of issuing fines that will never be paid,” one resident said.

An overflow facility was one of the options raised, though any campground would still have to adhere to Government regulations.

The Times has previously requested data that was unavailable on how many visitors pinged with illegal camping fines paid their debts before leaving the region.

It was considered fines for illegal camping were inadequate to tackle the problem, with councillors told van users could avoid penalties simply by not allowing rangers to speak with them.

Changes to permitted parking times at some beaches was raised as one option to consider.