Social media lights up with grey nomad debate

Rhonda Todd says it’s a shame grey nomads can’t use showgrounds because benefits will be far reaching.

Rhonda Todd is a 'grey nomad' who has travelled around Australia several times. John McCutcheon

NAMBOUR residents have once again sparked the free camping debate after questioning why the Nambour Showgrounds cannot be used for grey nomads.

The debate started after Nambour resident Ilana Whiting posted to the Living in Nambour Facebook page asking why grey nomads are not allowed access.

Councillor Greg Rogerson said camping was permitted in the grounds when associated with events, but he had not yet been "able to get that followed through to what people would understand as a caravan-approved site".

"I understand completely that it would be good for business and the economics for the town but it's just being able to get a planning scheme implemented for that purpose," he said.

"It's really hard and people don't understand, it is laws and planning matters that need to be considered."

On November 15 last year, the Planning and Environment Court ruled in favour of the Caravan Parks Association Queensland and stated that under the Planning Act 2016, Rockhampton Regional Council's use of a city park to accommodate passing caravans, campervans was unlawful, because it did not relate to the primary use of the park.

While the council does not own the land, Cr Rogerson said the outcome of the court case would make it harder for council to grant the grey nomads access.

"I thought it was difficult in the last 10 years but it's going to be harder now having a court case where it has been deemed not appropriate," he said.

"That's a precedent that's set in the courts so they would just use that again."

Grey nomad Rhonda Todd has been travelling for the past six years and said it was a shame because the benefits would be far reaching.

"We bring a lot of money to the town. We come in and buy groceries, we buy alcohol, we get our hair cut, we buy clothes if we need to or if our car needs fixing we will get it fixed, so we do bring a lot of money into the town," she said.

Rhonda has travelled around Australia three times and said opening the showgrounds would provide a cheaper option for travellers who don't need caravan park facilities.

"It costs thousands to travel now and it's not fair that they are forcing us to go into a caravan park when we don't even need to," Mrs Todd said.