Nag Nag Nag and what do yu get? DUMP POINTS

[Bill W]

I have just been made aware of a thread on this forum and after reading ,feel compelled to respond.
First let me declare I am on the Member Benefit Team of the CMCA working directly under the state representative of S.A. and as I live in Goolwa, the Alexandrina Council is my area.
In the past it was well known in RV circles that there were two councils in S.A. that were not 'RV friendly.' Unfortunately my council was one and as a consequence after 4 years of trying to get things changed ,we had no success. However late last year a new Mayor and some new councillors were elected, then the whole process began anew, talking to the Mayor and councillors, attending meeting with business and tourism groups, phone calls, emails etc. even to the extent of taking councillors around the area, explaining just what the RV traveller needs, pointing out possible dump point locations, off road options, parking areas for long/large vehicles etc. as well as the potential significant benefits to the local community.
I along with the other CMCA team and State Rep who have put a lot of hours into this matter feel there is a little more in negotiating for the facilities we need than just an email, and that the Alexandrina Council should be commended on its decision to install 5 new dumps points, which as long as certain conditions are met will be provided free of charge by the CMCA to the council.
I know of no other group or organisation that does more for the RV traveller than the CMCA and now with the good relations we have built I feel we will be successful in implementing more benefits for the traveller in this area that we already have in mind.

Happy Travelling, Bill

[GregnDee]

Well done, girlfriend!

[BruceS]

Bill I'm so sorry it took so long for your post to be approved. Seems like no other moderators were around?
I, for one, do appreciate what Dot and others have done on getting the message across.
At the end of the day it needs the "crew" to complete the details needed to get the CMCA to work with the councils if it is a CMCA subsidised dump point.
Thanks once again for any/all effort by everyone involved.

[Dot]

Good one Bill but I did notice that the council in their reply did not give anyone any credit other than themselves ie the council. So did our wise council give any reason for no dump point in Strath where many many travellers stop?? Did the cmca suggest a dump point here and if so what was their reply?

[Bill W]

Thanks Bruce, and Dot, it is my understanding that Strathalbyn is included, its just that it wont be until next financial year. I have to admit that my initial aim was to have a dump point in Goolwa and during discussion with council and the other groups it was pointed out that if a line was drawn between the dump points at Murray Bridge , Callington & St Kilda, that there were only 2 public dump points to the south on the entire Fleurieu Peninsula, also that the next CMCA national rally is being held at Murray Bridge In April with an expected 600 to 1000 motorhomes expected to attend , it was then that things really moved up a gear. The decision as to the order they are installed rests with council, I am sure you will agree the main thing is we are getting them. Bill

[Dot]

My main beef with the local lot was the fact that the dump point already in the Council owned CP was free to the travellers then they saw the $$ signs and slapped a $5 dump fee. To prove a point that the council just did this fee thing off their own bat I went into the TIC and asked about a dump point and was told that the CP had one and it was ok to use it. Strange that the communication between the council and the TIC was so wrong. The amount of people that overnight at Potts reserve every night is a lot, I know because they all file past our place. Then they all park up to do the tourist shopping thing so I would have thought that Strath should have a free dump point due to the amount of big dollars that is spent in this town by the tourist every day. As I mentioned way back, Helen aka the boring one told the council she had spent x amount in the few days she was here and thought the dump fee was a bit off, The council did not have the decency to reply and that is soo dam rude so that is what got me fired to write to the council. Strath councillors have a reputation of "looking after " the other end of their area first since they moved the council offices down to Goolwa. Q/ How do I know this you ask?? 1/ local and inside knowledge and their performances (lack of)speak louder than words. One excuse the council used for the fee was "they had to pay for it to be pumped out?? well if they paid their rates they wouldn't it would be in their rates wouldn't it??

[dream4red]

Dot, you can stand up and take a bow. The individuals who push councils for dump points are around and just not getting recognition, so a little bit of recognition here is important.
Hope you can hear my applause from there!
xxx

[Greynomad]

Just successfully downloaded the WikiCamps app for my iPhone (Thanks Forumites - see separate thread), and discovered there's a dump point at the Rowing Club in Corowa NSW, next to the old Wahgunyah bridge. Just 9km from us... and close to lots of free camp sites along the Murray. Particularly handy if you're camped at Grantham's Bend, Vic side of the Murray Right turn just before you hit the "Federation" Bridge (known to locals as the New Bridge - 1988) past All Saints Winery... duck through town & turn right toward the footy ground and dodge left to the Rowing Club's shed.
Don't know how long the dump point has been there, but it's not listed in CAW7.

[Dot]

Remember me telling you that Helen hadn't got a reply to her letter to the Strath council re the dump point cost? well she has got one so I shall copy it for you . It was dated Dec 2014 before the reply to my email but how can one employee of the council say one thing ie quote. "While there are positives to supplying free dump points for the RV community, there can be negative aspects as well, such as an increase in free camping in public open spaces which can decrease the usage of the caravan parks and therefore have an economic effect on local businesses" and the post from Bill saying the council is all for the RV friendly town status and the expectations of the cmca. for that privilege? So if you hear about this post Bill can you elaborate on where the free camps will be in Strathalbyn because it seems the General manager doesn't seem to think it is a good idea (for the CP and the local businesses) BTW there is just the one CP in Strath and most of the spaces are taken by permanents. In their reply to me there was NO mention of any free camps being considered at all so are they going to take the free dump points from the cmca and offer nothing else?

Dear Helen,
Thank you for your letter regarding the charge for using the dump point at the Strathalbyn Caravan Park.
This caravan park whilst on council land at the Strathalbyn Oval, is actually leased to the Strathalbyn Oval Controlling Committee who set the fees and charges for the use of the facility. I will pass on your letter to them for their consideration.
Council has received many comments regarding the provision of free dump points within the Council district.
While there are positives to supplying free dump points for the RV community, there can be negative aspects as well, such as an increase in free camping in public open spaces which can decrease the usage of the caravan parks and therefore have an economic effect on local businesses.
A report is currently being prepared for the council to consider it's stance on free camping and the provision of providing free dump points. This will be considered by council in early 2015
Yours sincerely
Simon Grenfell etc

[dream4red]

Looks like your council are just another mob of wankers Dot. They cant get themselves into the paperbag nevermind finding the way out of it! xxx