‘Nothing in life is free’: your say on vanpackers

There has been a mixed reaction to the issue of illegal camping in parts of the region.

Vanpackers have long been a cause for concern in the Byron Shire.

Members of the community have voiced their thoughts on the issue of illegal camping plaguing parts of the region.

Byron Shire Council acting mayor Michael Lyon recently confirmed 1454 infringement notices were issued in the shire from December 24 to January 2.

Cr Lyon criticised “freeloaders” who are camping illegally in the shire, but he made a distinction between them and those genuinely sleeping rough.

As in Byron, Richmond Valley Council rangers have been working overtime to tackle the same problem.

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When we asked readers if local councils are doing enough to address the issue, there was a mixed reaction.

“Coastal Shane” said he would have said “move them on” prior to the pandemic.

“But now if they’re genuine homeless people, not backpackers, I say what’s the harm if they park for a few nights,” he said.

“For the decent ones down on their luck leave them alone.

“But feral backpackers we can do without.”

Kerrie Ann Shee said: “they need to have places for people to camp for free like many other towns do”.

Sharon Lee said “nothing in life is free”.

“Caravan parks? If they were free, they would be overflowing especially in Byron Bay,” she said.

“I say people should All (sic) pay a tariff. I pay rent. That’s life.”

Sue Short said free camping only works “in towns that aren’t popular with tourists”.

Sharon Lee said “dirty filthy litter bugs” are a big part of the problem.

Errol Williams argued “grey nomads” want “everything for nothing”.

“It’s only places that have nothing to offer that have free spots over night,” he said.

Many readers suggested it would be too hard to enforce fines issued to travelling vanpackers.

Fiona Wratten said she wasn’t bothered by the situation.

“Look at how many people lost money and jobs, how the hell are they meant to be able to afford rent?” she said.

Brad Barnett said the solution was “simple”: to open up more legitimate camping areas.