There's One Born Every Minute

28/08/2011

Here at Cossack we avoid putting signs up all over the place. Signs detract from the general amenity of a historic site. We do, however, put up plenty of no camping signs, even though they are not required to be erected under the relevant State Laws and Regulations.

Yesterday morning we had cause to speak to a couple who had quite clearly camped overnight on the Wharf, despite passing three signs warning that this is not allowed - the closest sign being just 25 metres from where they parked.

Had these people just shut up and listened quietly to Sue in the first instance they would have got nothing more than a caution. Instead, the female of the duo quite literally went mad. So much so that Sue came and got me for support.

The woman was so abusive that the caution was replaced with an infringement. She was a "Bush Lawyer", quoting the Australian Constitution and their right to camp anywhere, calling us some very unsavoury names and even pushing me on several occasions. She had the ability to demand information from us but not listen to the reply...especially if it wasn't what she wanted to hear and she accused us of being angry and raising our voices (when she was the only one doing that!)

The commotion attracted the attention of the Apexians whom were setting up for the Garden Party, so we have no shortage of witnesses should the matter end up in court. This woman was so threatening that we called the Police, who did attend, but unfortunately after the couple had gone.

While all this was happening her partner, who was a male but clearly had no balls, packed their camping gear away in silence instead of pulling the woman into gear.

Neither would divulge their name and the woman even tried standing in front of the number plate of the vehicle in an attempt to stop me writing it down. We can use the number plate to ascertain the owner of the vehicle and an address to send the infringement to.

The ticket is written. They will eventually get it when they get back home to NSW and I suspect they won't pay it. Then the matter will proceed to Court (in Karratha) where the fines can be substantially more. If they fail to attend things will really start to get bad for them. All this to avoid paying $7.00 to stay at the camp ground at nearby Cleaverville.

Anyway, the lesson is this folks....we are just doing a job. The no camping signs are there for a reason, though they do not need to be. In WA, if you camp at a place that is not a caravan park or licensed campground, or you do not have the owner or occupiers permission, then you are breaking the Law. It's that simple and it applies across the State.