Locals put up happy campers

[Kit Kat]

BACKPACKERS illegally camping around Darwin have said they would pay to stay in the residents' backyards if they were offered.

German backpackers Ellen Sand and her boyfriend Danny Schmelzer were living out of a 4WD last dry season and had returned after a year travelling Australia.

The pair stayed at Mindil Beach and East Point but made friends some Jingili residents who have let them camp in their backyard this time around.

"They said we could even live in the house but we didn't want to impose," Ms Sand said.

The 27-year-old said staying at a caravan park or hostel was not an affordable option.

"It's too expensive, there were even older travellers sleeping in vans next to us at Mindil, it's not just young people.

"In Europe you can go and stay at a camping ground for nothing."

Research conducted by the NT News has revealed the average cost for seven nights at a camping ground in Darwin and surrounds was $331 for a powered site with three people.

The average hostel was $224 per week per person.

But Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim said the cost of accommodation was not the council's problem.
"We don't have control over what camping people charge," Ms Fong Lim said.

Source: NTNews.com.au
Read more here: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2013/0 ... tnews.html

[generdawg]

.... not the council's problem.
"We don't have control over what camping people charge," Ms Fong Lim said.

Assuming she meant "hotels, motels, massage parlors and caravan parks", I agree, but stating the bleeding obvious Ms Lim - you sure DO have control and the option of providing a low or no cost option! Last time I looked, Darwin was still part of Australia and belongs to ALL Australians - meaning, it's not your monopoly play toy Ms Lim.

In the words of Homer, "DOH"!

dawg

[Dot]

Don't think I like Ms Fong Lim's attitude, has she been told lately?

[John M]

Please note:
The cost of a Top End caravan park powered site per week:

KOA and Malak Caravan Park $340 plus power
Hidden Valley Tourist Park $350
Darwin Free Spirit Resort $266
Shady Glen Tourist Park $364
Boomerang Caravan Park $322
Lee Point Village Resort $345

(And these are not peak season prices, where they can be expected to rise again)

Please put these figures on all the Forums, If these are all noted and the response recorded maybe someone in a position of power will do something about it

[Wilbor]

Any wonder they are a target for armed robbers, more cash there than at a bank