Bendeela Campsite Update
2 Jan 10
There has been some press and public communication about Bendeela Camping Grounds over the last week which is being misunderstood. We believe the following points are true.
1. There have been some incidents involving the police in the recent past. However, the number apparently is not greater than previous years (no figures have been supplied to confirm this fact)
2. That more P plate drivers have been going to the grounds than years before. This is possibly due to the new Telstra link then enables Twitter.
3. That the police have recommended to the security guards not to accept P plate drivers
4. That the police were called after one camper was suffering from too much drink and drugs. The others in the party were asked to discard their drugs
5. There have been incidents before Christmas when wildlife have been killed and some campers scared for their safety
6. Such has been the impact that visitors have called the KV police station to check on safety very recently
This indicates the power of social media and everyone's capacity to expand on the subject.
It is also true that I have undertaken a radio interview several days ago which covered;
1. That the community do not wish disruptive people to use the site
2. We welcome young families and wish them to continue to have direct access
3. That as a responsible community we would not be adverse to a nominal entry fee being applied to a) discourage party goers in large numbers b) make a contribution to wildlife conservation
4. The site has been an important place for generations of Australians. Many current B&B guests were children who first came to Kangaroo Valley with their parents to camp.
Further to clarify:
I personally have not asked for the site to be closed
I have not said that the KVTA wishes the site to be closed
I have not suggested that the camping site is of no economic value to the community
Glyn Stones is to arrange a meeting with the Sydney Catchment Authority ASAP where we will ask for a clear message to be sent to the public, a clear policy instigated towards parties and action taken for the protection of wildlife.
Bendeela Camping Ground is a very important asset to Kangaroo Valley and we should take every action to protect it as a family camp site, as a place to see and connect with nature and offering unique water access to the National Park. We should also seek to protect the economic value it brings operators and retailers in the Valley.