New rules are coming in for freedom campers as central government and local councils look to tidy up the activity – but travellers and operators are struggling to understand and make the changes, one insider says.
After June this year, campers could no longer apply to have their vehicle classed as "self-contained" if it merely carried a portable toilet.
The utility would now need to be fixed with built-in plumbing for "self-contained" certification. Personal vehicles with existing certification based on a portable loo could keep that classification until June next year – but rental vehicles in the same situation would have until this December to make the necessary change.
All certifications under the new system would be completed by the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board. Before the change, volunteer Self-Containment Officers could carry out inspections.
Additionally, some councils were introducing by-laws to protect the environment. These rules included restricting the areas where freedom campers could go.
Mad Campers managing director Andy Haslett said rental companies needed more information.
Rental versus private campers
"Probably a hidden benefit from this is that we've now got all operators talking to each other," he said.
"I feel like we're well placed to move the industry into the future.
"[But] in terms of the regulations coming through, we've got a few concerns or questions around some of the technical aspects of it.
"Personally, I don't understand why a rental vehicle has been separated from a private vehicle, and then there's challenges around being able to actually execute the modification and re-certification by December 7 this year."
Haslett said rental companies provided wrap-around services and guided customers towards responsible practice.
"In the private market, there's that lack of education or conversation.
"We're now in a situation where we don't believe [the new regulations] are fit for purpose and we're concerned about being able to implement them in time for the legislated dates."
He acknowledged previous issues with freedom campers and said everyone wanted positive change – but in recent years, the industry has been moving "really quickly" to make sure travellers are being responsible, he added.
"Councils have been doing a fantastic job, companies have been doing a fantastic job, certifying agents have been tightening up.
"If you look at last summer, we didn't see the kinds of things that we've been talking about five or six years ago that might've been the reason for these changes coming to pass," Haslett said.
And when asked whether his company's fleet could be ready on time for the December deadline, he was unsure.
"To be honest, we still don't know what exactly we need to do."
He also said the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Board wasn't resourced to certify everyone in time.
"I think there's been a lack of understanding of the challenges in the industry, a lack of collaboration... hopefully, we get a chance to put it back on track."
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