No camping: Shire of Waroona bans Drakesbrook Weir camping after damage to facilities

A Peel council has banned camping at a popular family getaway after concerns over water contamination from RVs illegally dumping grey and blackwater at the site, as well as an increase in vandalism. The Shire of Waroona banned all forms of camping at Drakesbrook Wier, in a reversal of their decision to allow RV camping at the site in late 2019. Shire president Mike Walmsley said he was disappointed the council had been forced to enact the ban, stating the council had “good intentions” in allowing RVs to stay at the site. “It was a sad decision to make because we had visions of people staying there but it probably became its worst enemy in terms of its popularity,” he said. Over the past three years, RVs have been allowed to stay at the camp site free of charge, with all other camping at the irrigation weir has remained banned. Shire staff have noted the situation has caused a number of management and environmental issues, including the inability to monitor whether RV campers were dumping greywater or blackwater at the site. An increase in rubbish being dumped at the popular spot was also blamed, as well as an inability to properly manage the 24-hour stay limits. Cr Walmsley said the vandalism and damages caused to weir facilities were a cost to everyone. “There was a bit of vandalism there – the toilets we refurbished were being smashed, people damaging doors and putting rolls in toilets,” he said. “We keep getting it fixed up, but it is a cost to everyone.” Activity at the weir is generally only monitored when visited by council rangers, with no CCTV present on site. Other RV camping areas including within the Waroona Showgrounds will continue as normal. The renewed its licence agreement with the Water Corporation over the use and management of the Drakesbrook Weir foreshore in October last year, with a new round of upgrades being planned include a new nature playground. Cr Walmsley left the door open to camping being made available at the site once again if circumstances improve.