Aussies can now camp for free in Victoria and although the initiative was initially introduced to help campers enjoy a holiday amid cost-of-living pressures, critics of the scheme fear a major oversight will prevent many people from taking part.
Until June next year, Aussies from any jurisdiction can camp in Victoria for free with booking fees waived in a bid to remove barriers preventing people from getting outdoors and enjoying a holiday. However, many sites are already booked out for the summer, raising the question of whether those holding the bookings will all turn up, or if ghost campers will turn the scheme into a total “debacle”.
Ghost bookings limit free camping initiative
Ghost camping, or ghost booking, is when campsites are booked and, for one reason or another, are not used — leaving plots empty and those eager to camp missing out due to ‘unavailability’.
Since the initiative in Victoria was introduced at the start of the month, campers have raised the alarm on the issue, saying it costs nothing to make a booking, and there is no penalty for not turning up. Many trying to make a campsite booking have found many campgrounds are unavailable.
“There is no incentive for people to go online and cancel their booking… sites will undoubtedly sit vacant over these busy periods, and families that would have happily used them will miss out,” one disgruntled camper wrote on social media.
Another camper flagged it has been an issue in the Tidal River campsite in Wilsons Promontory National Park, calling it an “absolute debacle” while another called the lack of cancellation protocol “appalling”.
“Any chance you’re keeping track of how many bookings don’t show, and whether you’ll be prepared to declare that at the end of the season?” another asked Parks Victoria.
Yahoo News reached out to Parks Victoria to understand how it intended to manage the issue, however, it declined to comment. It seems authorities are relying on campers doing the right thing and no formal policy will be in place to deter people from ghost camping.
“Cancelling your booking helps avoid ghost camping,” Parks Victoria says on its website. “It ensures campsites don’t sit empty and more people can enjoy a free camping adventure in nature. So please, do the right thing.
Parks Victoria criticised over ineffective camping management
The new initiative has exacerbated the ghost camping issue that many states and territories are grappling with. Michelle and Heatley Gilmore, who own the free camping guide app Camps Australia Wide, criticised the lack of management which they say creates a major pitfall to the well-intended move by authorities.
“If you’re going to introduce a new policy then you need to manage it. They can’t just put their hands up without an answer [to ghost booking] and say it’s not their responsibility,” the couple told Yahoo News. “There needs to be boots on the ground to have it managed effectively and address ghost bookings. Otherwise, they aren’t achieving the desired outcome at all.”
Owners of Camps Australia Wide Michelle and Heatley Gilmore (far left and second from right) on a camping holiday with family. Source: SuppliedSource: Supplied
The best way to manage ghost booking is to streamline the cancellation process, making it easy and quick to do it in order to make space for those waiting for campsites.
“There needs to be some kind of mechanism that allows people to actively say, thanks very much, but we’re not coming this weekend, so others can take advantage of empty space,” the couple said. “People should be getting reminder emails or texts about their upcoming holiday and simple options to cancel… if there’s no pain, there’s no reason to cancel bookings”.
In October, Queensland introduced $322 fines for campers caught ghost camping, however, many other states have been accused of burying their head in the sand.
“Ghost bookings are happening all over Australia,” Michelle said.
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