Council endorses Jindabyne Winter Camping Campaign

The numbers of informal campers in the alpine region surrounding the snow resorts have been increasing year on year, and complaints to Council from residents concerned with anti-social behaviour, littering, illegal dumping and negative effects on public amenity have increased along with the growing numbers.

The public is reminded that in the Snowy Monaro no one is permitted to camp, in a car, van, tent or otherwise, outside of formal accommodation. Campgrounds, caravan parks, hostels, motels, AirBNBs are permitted. Camping in a carpark is not, and Council is regularly patrolling to enforce these regulations.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Council had no choice in 2020 but to adopt a formal policy banning camping in public spaces in and around Jindabyne. The NSW State Government requirement, which is still in place, that all public accommodation facilities have a COVID Safe plan in place and enforced was not, and is not, possible under the circumstances.

Signage has been erected at the Claypits carpark at the Jindabyne foreshore and other common informal camping areas including through the streets. A strategy of education, advising, warning, and if all else fails, fining, has been in use to educate the public and address this ongoing problem.

As part of this re-endorsement, Council will be engaging in a renewed education campaign to inform the public of what the restrictions mean for them.

For more information, please visit Council’s website at www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au or call Council 24/7 on 1300 345 345.