Campers and caravanners have reacted angrily to Mid-Western Regional Council’s decision to allow camping at the Mudgee Showground only when all tourist parks in the town are full.
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Council made the decision last week after a caravan park owner objected to a proposal to upgrade camping and caravan facilities at the showground.
Fees for showground camping will also be raised above those of caravan parks to discourage would-be campers.
Feedback on the Mudgee Guardian website shows backlash against the decision, with one camper reporting the story “was going feral” on the internet.
“The council decision is all over the Net already on all the camping, caravanning and motorhoming forums,” wrote another. “We won’t bother with Mudgee anymore. But don’t worry, there are plenty of other towns and districts that are happy to take our money.”
“A few years back I spent over a week in Mudgee in my RV but I won’t be back if your council thinks they have the right to dictate to me where I must choose to camp,” wrote “Bugsy”.
“Caravan park represent just a small percentage of the businesses in Mudgee. What right do they have to have protection from the Council when other businesses have to compete in an open market.?”
Another respondent said: “We’ll just give Mudgee the flick and take our $230 on fuel, $300 on groceries and $50 on grog elsewhere.”
“Traveller” wrote: “I was going to stay here on Wednesday for three nights while getting my vehicle serviced in Mudgee.
“I was advised I couldn’t stay so went to the Gulgong Showgrounds instead and ended up staying there for six nights.
“I will be telling other travellers about Mudgee and recommending Gulgong. I have emailed Camps Australia Wide and advised them of the situation with a link to the article,. This book is a free campers/travellers’ bible, everyone has one.
“This site will now be removed from the book as it’s out of the pricing category and will encourage people to skip town as there are no low budget camps.”
“Mitcho” wrote: “It’s all over, bar the shouting (by the other businesses which will miss out?).
“The word is out, another town bites the dust.
“The smaller, friendlier towns, service stations, pubs etc., that welcome the stop-over traveller are more so on our agenda.
“Poor Mudgee, our visits so far were good - now memories only.”
