A Carrington resident believes growing levels of unauthorised camping across local parks have left the community frustrated and feeling forgotten, as council and police responses continue to stall.
The concerned citizen said campervans, caravans and motorhomes had become a near-daily presence around Pat Jordan Oval, Connolly Park and the Carrington boat ramp.
And, he’s now of the opinion “enough is enough”.
“I’ve lived in Carrington for six years and it’s always been an issue, but over the last couple of years it’s just skyrocketed,” he said.
“On any given day, you can find half a dozen to a dozen campervans treating the area like a free campground.”
While some vehicles come and go overnight, others appear to be staying for extended periods.
The resident explained one caravan had remained parked near the oval since early December.
“There’s washing hung out, a car parked alongside, even a cat set up outside,” he said.
“At that point it’s no longer parking – it’s living in a residential park.”
The local said he had raised the issue with a number of stakeholders over several weeks, emailing councillors, state representatives and media outlets, but received only two direct responses.
“You start to feel like you’re shouting into the void,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.
“When only two people reply, it’s hard not to think Carrington just isn’t a priority.”
The resident admitted repeated attempts to raise the issue with City of Newcastle (CN) over the years had resulted in little visible change on the ground.
“You pay rates, you expect some monitoring and enforcement,” he said.
“But, I work from home and I’ve hardly ever seen a ranger attend.
“There’s no signage, no deterrent, nothing stopping people from setting up long-term.”
He’s also contacted NSW Police but felt that “everyone is just pointing fingers at someone else”.
While acknowledging the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and housing pressures throughout the region, the resident said there was an important distinction between homelessness and recreational free camping.
“I have the utmost empathy for people doing it tough,” he explained.
“However, free campers travelling Australia and plugging into public power, that’s a different issue altogether.
“We have to pay rates for that sort of thing.”
In response to his correspondence, Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe said she had raised the issue with council staff.
“I don’t recall receiving any previous communications about free camping being an issue at Pat Jordan Oval, so I appreciate you bringing this to our attention,” she wrote.
“I will raise this with council staff and if you could also lodge a request through the CN system via this contact form, that would be helpful.”
Councillor Declan Clausen, who also replied, said council officers were aware of ongoing camping issues across Carrington and surrounding areas.
“Rangers and Parking Officers conduct regular patrols to enforce the relevant parking and camping restrictions,” Cr Clausen said, adding that a review of signage and regulatory measures was underway.
However, he noted that where people identify as “homeless”, council must follow the NSW Government’s Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places, often involving NSW Police and outreach services.
Despite that, the concern remains unresolved for residents.
“Carrington is not a caravan park,” the resident said.
“We just want a response that’s fair, compassionate and actually works.”
For more news stories:
- Man produces gun during Newcastle road-rage incident
- Artists invited to help shape redevelopment of Muswellbrook Hospital
- Woman charged over alleged attempted murder in Lake Mac
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
