A plan to raise camping fees in New South Wales (NSW) national parks could make camping more costly than renting a house.
The NSW government is suggesting a new pricing structure with six tiers, where fees for some campgrounds could reach $97 per night or $679 per week. In contrast, a three-bedroom house can be rented for around $600 weekly.
Filmmaker Michael Atkinson highlighted this concern in a social media post recorded at the Woody Head Camping Area in Bundjalung National Park on the NSW North Coast.
“You can rent a three-bedroom house (nearby) with a garage for $600, making it nearly $100 less than camping here on just a small piece of grass,” Mr. Atkinson mentioned in his video.
“I noticed 89 campsites on this map, which could generate an income of $55,000 weekly just from this campground, not counting additional revenue from cabins.”
In the year 2023-24, around 1.8 million individuals camped overnight at 365 campgrounds situated in NSW national parks.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has crafted a proposal aimed at making camping more equitable for visitors and addressing the problem of “ghost bookings,” where reservations are made but not honored.
The new tiered fee structure would be based on the available services, facilities, and demand during different seasons.
According to an NPWS representative, over 23,000 public comments were collected during the consultation phase.
“The NPWS welcomed input on a design for a more standardized and straightforward camping fee and booking system for all campgrounds in NSW national parks,” stated the spokesperson.
“No final decisions have been made regarding the proposal.”
“Once we have reviewed the feedback, NPWS will inform the public of the subsequent steps.”
Mr. Atkinson told NewsWire that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, booking systems were utilized for heavily trafficked campgrounds, with around 70 percent of campgrounds in NSW being free.
He explained that although a $6 booking system was introduced to manage the pandemic, the low cost led to campsites being booked out months ahead, resulting in many no-shows.
Mr. Atkinson argued that the government’s approach to tackle “ghost bookings” by increasing prices would prevent low-income families from camping and deter younger individuals from participating.
“For someone like me, it feels unfair to pay a considerable sum just to camp in a public park that we all own,” he remarked.
Mr. Atkinson suggested a better alternative would be to expand the number of campgrounds available, which would create more open space and clear undergrowth within national parks.
Mr. Atkinson has initiated an e-petition to inform the NSW government about the level of public opposition to this proposal.
The petition, titled “Keep camping affordable for all Australians in NSW National Parks,” has garnered support from over 7,600 individuals.
He has also received backing from the Nationals and residents living beyond NSW, who have been reaching out to the NSW environment minister.
Kevin Anderson, opposition tourism spokesperson, stated that this decision would restrict access to some of NSW’s most cherished natural sites during a time of rising living costs.
“When I questioned the Minister for Tourism about this last month, he did not address the issue, even though it poses a significant threat to the tourism industry by deterring people from camping in our National Parks,” he remarked.
“The Minns Labor government needs to reconsider its approach and find better solutions for budget cuts rather than burdening hardworking families just seeking to enjoy nature.”
Scott Barrett MLC emphasized that National Parks should remain accessible to everyone.
“This proposal will make camping unaffordable for many families, which is why I believe it’s crucial to support Outback Mike with this petition,” he stated.
“Some of my best memories have been spent with my family in our state’s renowned national parks, and it’s extremely disappointing to see those experiences become limited due to financial constraints.”
