Greedy Councils Attack Farmstay Owners

Earlier this year we broke the big story that WA farmstays are under a huge threat – sadly today I bring you further news, and it’s not good. It seems as though the issue isn’t isolated over in the west.

Yep, you heard right – farmstay owners in the Kangaroo Valley, a popular RV area on the NSW south coast, are getting hassled, harassed almost, by local council, who want to force them to cease and desist, or get their RV accommodation up to a standard that is on par with RV parks. You can read the full article here

The farmstays in the spotlight are ones that can be booked on the popular website YouCamp.com – these are farmers that want to share a real bush experience with caravanners, for a low cost. Some, like Mr Peter Botsman, have been aggressively targeted by the local council – who are trying to force property owners to stop this immediately.

Unfortunately to me, it seems like another case of councils trying to drive caravanners away from any affordable accommodation option available, and into the region’s caravan parks. Now I’ve personally stayed in the parks around this area and think they’re brilliant, but I’m sick to death of councils taking away other affordable option out of greed.

These people being harassed are farmers – land owners – and if they want to have a few vans on their property each night, I believe they are well in their right to do so.

Something has to be done before farmstays across Australia are put through the ringers to keep a few van parks happy. So what’s the solution? I’m going to throw my hat in the ring and say – maybe some form of regulation – perhaps tiered system so those just wanting to have a few vans on their farm can do so without permits, however fully set up farmstay accommodation requires a permit – as any business would need.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one – farsmtays are key for so many of us trying to travel affordably. We can’t just let councils kill them off. Email me at [email protected]