Caravanning News - Cold reception as Snowy River campers labelled 'freeloaders'

Caravanning News - Cold reception as Snowy River campers labelled 'freeloaders': "'I find this term rather derogatory'

Cold reception as Snowy River campers labelled 'freeloaders'

FORMER caravan park owner Graham Canham has come to the defence of Snowy River caravanners who have been branded 'freeloaders'.
One of the popular spots along the Marlo Road for Snowy River overnighters

One of the popular spots along the Marlo Road for Snowy River overnighters

'I find this term rather derogatory,' he told Caravanning News after Victoria's Snowy River Mail carried a letter from a local resident complaining about overnight campers alongside the iconic river and at Marlo.

The letter said: 'Maybe it's time for a camping ban to be placed on the banks of the Snowy River and toilet blocks in Marlo for the freeloaders who abuse the area.

'While some will have toilet facilities in their caravans, campervans etc., others will not. We have great facilities with caravan parks in Orbost and Marlo for overnighters and those wishing to stay a few extra nights.'

But Australian Caravan Club member Mr Canham, who lives in Orbost, said he was happy to see caravanners and other travellers overnighting on the banks of the river and has sent his own letter to the newspaper.

He points out that travellers were 'enjoying our beautiful part of this country' and spending locally on fuel, groceries, meals and drinks.

'There have been many similar articles in various towns calling for the banning of so called 'freeloaders',' he wrote.

'Instances of bans have found many local businesses experience a dramatic drop in turnover and are now lobbying their council to overturn the bans and actually install facilities for overnight stays.

'Please don't think that by stopping a caravan etc from spending the night on the banks of the Snowy that they will automatically stay in a caravan park. In most cases they will move to the next town that welcomes them and spend their money there.'

Mr Canham said he enjoyed bush camping in his self-contained caravan which has solar power, water, toilet, shower and a grey-water holding tank.

'If we want facilities then we stay in a caravan park and put up with the noise and crowds of 'suburbia'. Don't get me wrong, I am not against caravan parks. We have owned and operated two. However, we prefer the solitude and tranquillity of being with nature most of the time.'

Mr Canham accepted that maybe the time had come for a 24 or 48hr time limit on stays along the Snowy River.

'But please don't call for a blanket ban,' he pleaded. 'Should we condemn all for the actions of a few? The majority of the travelling public are very conscious of the environment and their impact has on it and do the right thing.'

And he warned: 'The power of caravan forums on the internet soon alert the travelling public to 'non-friendly' towns.'"