Gap Year News Articles

Darwin backpacker camp a controversial plan

25 Jun 2010

With a rising number of backpackers being sanctioned for illegal camping in Northern Australia (147 so far this season), Darwin City Council has proposed setting up a designated campsite to prevent illegal camping in public areas. Tourism is a major industry in the area and backpackers set up large (and illegal) camping grounds during the peak season.

However, the proposal has been met with fierce opposition, notably from backbencher Michael Gunner, who said "I'm not sure I agree with the council that the way of solving illegal camping is to make it legal", and from Tony Clementson, general manager of Tourism Top End, who said "People pay a million dollars for an apartment with a view of the water and we've got a council that's going to give it away." Clementson went on to comment that "There's no issue with availability of space in caravan parks and holiday parks [...] They just really want to park and get it for free."

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