Wingecarribee Council, which manages the crown reserve on behalf of the State Government, closed the reserve to campers last year after the Department of Lands advised that the land was not designated as a camping ground.

Residents and campers at a meeting in Berrima on Tuesday night presented varying opinions about whether camping should be allowed to resume on the reserve.

Fifth generation Berrima resident Jill Denny said the reserve had always been a popular place for swimmers, picnickers and campers.

Barricades erected to keep motorhomes and campers off the reserve, a gate that was locked at 6pm each night, and signs prohibiting a range of activities were preventing residents from enjoying the reserve and presenting an unfriendly image to visitors, she said.

“It’s an absolute disgrace the way people are treated now,” Mrs Denny said.

“It’s costing a fortune and I think it is very wrong and not nice for Berrima.

“I see campers go down there at nine at night to a locked gate and some aren’t too happy.”

Karen Earnshaw of the Campervan and Motorhome Association of Australia said “grey nomads” represented a significant proportion of the tourism market.

“By using these areas, we support your town,” she said.

Mrs Earnshaw said the association had a “leave no trace” policy that included taking away waste water.

Tom McLean of the Sydney Caravan Club said more and more councils were yielding to the objections of neighbours and were closing camping areas.

“Share Australia: it belongs to all of us,” he said. “Be a little understanding of the needs and desires of others.

“Objectors should not preclude us from using the facility. Don’t take the simplest course and ban everyone from the site forever.”

For the full story see the Southern Highland News, Friday, January 30

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