Ballarat 12 months Trial of a Free Camp

[Ros20549]

Hi All.... Well our free camp opened a couple of weeks ago and I have been keeping an eye on it, looks good and most that I see using it seem to be doing the correct thing, except for a single car with two small one man tents, do hope they have a toilet in one of those tents, as you must be fully contained to stay in this park... Now tonight on the local news we have a C/P owner having a whinge about the amount of money she has lost since it has started and that on TWO occasions she has seen people from the free camp sneaking in for a shower late at night now what makes this funny is that this C/P is on the other side of the town from the free camp and I would hardly think they would drive nearly 10k to have a shower late at night and one of the statements made tonight was that there has already been 20 caravans etc. that have used this site in the two weeks it has been open... This lady has been one of the strongest voices against this free camp they are the owners of 2 parks in Ballarat and belong to a well know chain that have all the bells and whistles.. their average cost is $39.00 a night, the statement that really got up my noise is that she said that if we had enough money to buy our big expensive rigs then we should be able to afford to stay in her park. They just don't get it do they... So people please do the right thing is you are going to stay in this free park as there are quite a few out there who really want to see if fail...

Cheers Ros.

[Dot]

We shall be making use of it next week and I shall be bringing you lemons. Might even have to write a nice letter to the council thanking them.

[Dot]

We arrived here this morning and it is rather nice, next to McCains factory (sneak sneak) far enough of the highway, the entrance is a wee bit sharpish but ok if you get a good break in the traffic to do a nice wide turn (I made it) Grass is mowed. There is a sign just inside the gates which apparently says no awnings but I was more interested in making sure I got off the road first I shall get a pic of the better sign right inside the gate which mentions nothing of awnings.

[Jon and Kay]

RV Friendly? No awnings? They surely have to be joking.

[SteveW]

I suspect they might mean "No Annex".

[PeterinSa]

In the Kalgoolie free camp close to the town centre, no awnings out or washing out. Checked every night by Rangers along with grey water storage. Travellers with awnings out asked to put them in or.....With 4 or 5 CP's town, council wants to keep the overnighter open ( maybe a 48hr stopover).

Since the rally there ( to me) they have removed the water taps, other than from memory a tap/sink in a toilet, this( to me) helps with the self contained concept.

Thanks Ros for your continuing effort.

Peter

[Dot]

Inside gate pioneer park002.jpg

Inside gate pioneer park.jpg

Top pic is the sign just inside the gate.
2nd sign is the one a good distance in the front gate
3rd pic is showing us at the end of the area.
Now as we were going for a walk a sedan pulled up and read both signs then proceeded to drive in and set up a tent Seeing as we have to abide by rules I rang B Bill and he came to sort them out.. Up the other end of the area right in sight of the main road was a woman and man with a mattress leaning against their car as he got out of his car to see what gave he was verbally abused by the ? female.. Then he went to see the man I rang about and he was ok so he packed up and left no worries there. B. Bill says the sign isn't the one they wanted but it will do for now till they get a better one.. He said they don't mind even tents as long as they have a porta loo so that is ok I reckon. Now we were just starting to get tea when one of the local dog walkers comes along and lets his friggin dog crap right next to the bus, no sign or attempt from the man to pick that crap up.. I went outside and told the doggie to tell his master to watch where he pooped, the dog smiled and trotted off Had a couple of hrs with Ros & Ivan which was good but they still have 3 sprogs with them and they look buggered for want of a better word. Also caught up with a great couple we met at Bush Bay some 11 yrs ago, they don't travel too far these days but was good to catch up again.. In a few mins we are also meeting another lady from Ballarat so better scoff the grub down and get ready. C U later P.S. Much more pleasant day today not so dam hot. P.P.S Awning is ok just that the sign is the rigid old cmca one but they will be getting a better one later on.

[Ros20549]

Great catch up with you Dot and the lovely George, sorry about the 3 distractions, we are off to the Zoo tomorrow to return them to their mother who works there, love the Grandkids but need a little our time now. So Dot on your return hope to see you for a bit longer and maybe a meal, so much more to talk about, going to make it an early night getting to old for this

Cheers Ros.

[Dot]

I see the writing didn't show up too good at all in #2 pic oh well never mind. B Bill did another sweep at 7pm and all is ok with the world.. Only grizzle I would have of this spot would be the stink of McCains cooking fat but will get used to it for tonight.. As I said Jon the sign that mentions the awning is a standard cmca sign and BB said they are going to have the one for here esp done.