AS the flock of tourists return home with school holidays and long weekends coming to an end, some may have left with more than they expected.
Illegal camping in the South West’s national parks was particularly prevalent during the holiday period and infringements were issued regularly, according to a department of parks and wildlife spokesperson.
The spokesperson said the practice was mainly confined to carparks and areas within parks not designated for camping, which often resulted in waste management issues and other environmental impacts.
“Rangers always use their discretion prior to issuing an infringement for illegal camping, but infringement notices for camping are unfortunately issued regularly,” they said.
City of Busselton ranger and emergency services coordinator Dean Freeman agreed and said the city rangers did regular early morning and late evening patrols around areas frequented by illegal campers, particularly over summer.
He said the people camp overnight in bushland or foreshore locations in their vans or cars.
Dunsborough resident Joel Nankivell has witnessed illegal camping in foreshore carparks on a regular basis.
He said a particular beach carpark on Geographe Bay Road looked like a gypsy village with the campers blocking the carpark by setting up chairs, clotheslines and using all of the council power services.
“It has now become known to us residents as the ‘chanty town carpark’ as they have been hanging around for months now, and more and more seem to turn up everyday,” he said.
Mr Nankivell said he felt it was hazardous for other cars to enter the carpark as the vans were blocking the flow and view of traffic.
