THE District Council of Grant has stated there was significant free camping activity within the council area over the festive period despite having fewer people than recent years.
This month’s general council meeting stated community rangers undertook patrol work on most days over the Christmas and New Year period, dealing with a number of complaints concerning comfort campfires and loud music or noise.
According to a report tabled to elected members, most issues largely occurred at the popular Eight Mile Creek free camping areas.
South Australian police and the Country Fire Service were also involved with a number of these incidents.
The report also stated council’s new free camping signage along Eight Mile Creek, Brown Bay, Cape Northumberland, Orwell Rocks and Blackfellows Caves were either missed or ignored by numerous free campers who visited the area.
It was suggested in the report some additional temporary ‘no fires’ or ‘fires prohibited’ signs would be placed in the Eight Mile Creek area.
Council’s community rangers will continue to monitor and undertake regular patrol work of the free camping areas through to the Australia Day long weekend.
Following this holiday period, it is expected council officers will review the free camping activity and associated issues which may also involve a briefing session with elected members.
The report stated some changes and improvements may follow the review.
