CONSIDERATION has been given to making Bega an official RV-friendly town, but the criteria could be difficult to meet says Chamber of Commerce president Mal Barnes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“There are ideas in the works to draw tourists to town, but it’s a long process,” Mr Barnes said.
“To be considered RV-friendly, parking areas are meant to be within 500 metres of a post office.
“And dump points of course have to be above flood level, which means we can’t attract RV tourists down to the river.”
Jim Collins, Bega Valley Shire Council water and sewer manager, confirmed there are no public dump points in the Bega Valley shire.
“At this stage that's correct,” he said.
“They are available in caravan parks where people should be staying and National Parks have toilet facilities where campers pay for the privilege.
“It comes down to a question of people camping in places where they are allowed to do so.
“The reality is we will be putting dump points in – it's better than having people dumping in the bush and illegally camping.
“Last year we started to consider there was a growing need, especially with the proliferation of RVs and motorhomes.
“Two or three years ago there wasn't the sort of pressure for these facilities there is now.
“We are not adverse to the idea, it's just another capital works program to consider.
“One issue is that all Bega's sewage reticulation areas are residential.
“So the difficulty is identifying a site that is serviced and won’t adversely impact existing residents.
“The mechanics of a dump point are really simple and the cost is minimal.
“The costs are in making it safe and in traffic control, providing a pull-off area etc.”
Mr Collins said ideally maintenance and service of dump points would be taken on by private business, but it's likely they are issues council would have to bear.
“It's hard to imagine anyone other than caravan parks taking on the role – and they already have similar facilities of their own to deal with.”
Mr Barnes said once the Bega bypass opened, there would be an opportunity to “look at the whole hub”.
“We will look at how to revitalise the whole town, but also fit into the criteria for ‘nomads’,” he said.