Free Camping - Expressions of Interest

Update September 2022

Balhannah Oval:

• The Balhannah Dump Point instillation is progressing. We aim to have the Balhannah Dump Point installed before December 2022.
• The Johnston Memorial Park Committee submitted a Development Application to allow camping at the grounds. The Development Application has been approved and they are now going through the process of Building Approval (required due to fire safety standards needing to be met).  

Mount Torrens Hotel:

The Mt Torrens Hotel is in the process of submitting their Development application. Once this has been submitted and approved, work can commence on installing a Dump Point.

In addition: The Paracombe Recreation Ground have submitted a Development Application to enable them to host camping at their site. This is in the process of being reviewed at this time.

Update May 2022

Expression of interest process has closed and Council received two applications. Nine groups engaged with the process. Balhannah Oval and Mount Torrens Hotel have been approved to submit a development application for change of use to allow free camping at these locations.

Are you part of a Community or individual who may wish to install and manage an approved Free (Freedom) Camping site?

Definition of Free (Freedom) Camping

Free (Freedom) Camping is the term used to describe a sub-group within the caravan and camping community that own self-contained motorhomes/ Recreational Vehicles (RVs) which are fitted out with all of the conveniences including toilet and shower facilities, power (solar panels and batteries), Wi-Fi and Television reception. This segment of the caravan and camping market does not require or seek the services of fully serviced caravan parks. They seek low cost site options that include a campsite with access to potable water and somewhere to drain their waste water system (RV dump point).

Free Camping sites can include Council owned reserves and recreation sites that are managed in partnership with the community or privately owned property.

An examples is: Frank Potts Reserve Langhorne Creek

This camping site is managed in partnership between Alexandrina Council and the Langhorne Creek Old School House Inc Association. https://www.alexandrina.sa.gov.au/discover/sport-and-recreation/points-of-interest/frank-potts-reserve

Expression of Interest Process

Council are now conducting an Expression of Interest process to determine interest from communities and/or individuals to have Free Camping facilities within their town.

The first step will be to attend the information session to be held on:

Monday 13 December at 6.30pm 
Positive Aging Centre
36 Nairne Road, Woodside 

Please register for the information session using the registration form provided below:
If you are unable to attend the information session please make contact with us prior to submitting an expression of interest. 

This Expression of Interest process is to include evidence of:

• Community support for a free camping facility
• A community organisation that can lead/collaborate in the maintenance and management of any Free Camping facilities including collection and management of any fees. The community organisation can keep the camping fees for the maintenance of the site or to assist them on delivering their purpose if they are an Incorporated Association. 
• Identification of a suitable site to accommodate a minimum of 10 RV motorhomes with access to mains water and sewage infrastructure to enable instillation of dump point facilities. 

If you would like to submit an expression of interest you can fill in the form below. Please ensure you have either attended the information evening or made contact with us prior to submitting your form.

Financial Implications

• Council are prepared to contribute to the cost of setting up a Free Camping site which could include the installation of an RV Dump Point, signage and/or other infrastructure. There is funding available from the RV Camping Association to assist with purchasing Dump Points. It is expected that applicants will make a financial and / or in-kind contribution to the setting up of the Free Camping site. The main cost for any community group or individual will be ongoing maintenance and management of the sites which may be around $2,000 per annum.

 Opportunities for expressions of interest will close at 4pm, Monday 28 February 2022.