Free overnight parking debate in Geraldton

Local caravan park owners do not believe Geraldton is seeing any benefit from free overnight parking, arguing the decision needs to be reversed.

In 2018, Geraldton council agreed to provide free 24-hour parking bays for a variety of recreational vehicles at the Francis Street carpark, a carpark opposite Point Moore Lighthouse and a third carpark in Drummond Cove.

The decision was met with opposition from local caravan park owners, including S Bend Caravan Park pair Gary and Max Miles, who in July said the decision was going to “bury them”.

The council maintained the free parking was a way to encourage people to stop and stay in Geraldton, instead of bypassing the city.

Geraldton Caravan Park co-owner Seri Yamamura said she did not think the free parking was encouraging tourists to drop by. “Geraldton is a stepping stone up north,” she said.

“During the school holidays families have already booked ahead up north too, so they don’t just stay here.

“Our crowd is mostly the over-55 grey nomads, who don’t have a schedule to stick to.”

“Some people stay here with us to just spend the night, get comfortable, decide they will do the washing tomorrow and then end up staying another day.

“Then they’ll go out for dinner, to the museum and cinemas and the economy benefits that way.”

Ms Yamamura said she acquired the Waggrakine site in October 2017 and did not yet have enough data to compare how the park was performing in traditionally busy periods.

However, she said free parking had created a “big negative impact on caravan businesses” and it seemed there was no choice but to “deal with it.”

Belair Gardens Caravan Park assistant manager Bronwyn Free said there were large self-contained vans at the Point Moore site where they were not permitted, and often people stayed more than one night.

She also said they were taking up most of the carpark, stringing up washing around the vehicles, trees and picnic areas, taking over barbecue areas and leaving paying customers wanting. “It (the free parking) doesn’t seem to be policed well,” Ms Free said.

“This is not a good look for Geraldton.

“These travellers arrive early in the day and leave late the next day if at all, exceeding their allotted time.“We have noticed a drop in the bookings, not just for the school holidays, also the grey nomads during the wildflower season.”

Earlier this year, City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ross McKim said rangers were being called out for illegal camping issues less.