Problem: There is the issue escalating all over the country about Self Contained Vehicles. If you are not self contained or known as a "SCV" you are not able to stop at certain sites any more. Many RVFT ( RV friendly towns ) are aslo now insisting on SCV only stop overs. This is of course upsetting folks all around the country as many caravans and camper-vans do not have the requirements to meet what a SCV is. The other problem we have is that folk who do not meet the SCV requirement still use the SCV stop overs and just let their grey water run on the ground. What will happen is then that campers eventually will be stopped from using the SCV stop over as it is difficult for councils a. to police and b. keep clean and user friendly. Travelling around we see many folk toss their crap out where ever they feel like it. Let grey water run any where creating a cess pool. Rubbish just strewn every where. Toilet paper used, just blowing around and making campsites look vulgar and vile. I pulled up in a nice little over night stop for SCV's in Newcastle on a reserve there by the harbour a number of years ago. There was folks running around with torches throughout the night. In the morning I went for a walk and what was happening was , they were defecating in the bushes. There was this pile of crap and toilet paper in the gardens bushes. I was horrified. That SCV stop over was beautiful but will get closed down if it has not already, as councils will not and should not have to deal with these vile human beings. There where public toilets there, but they were locked after 6pm to stop undesirables lurking around. And rightly so.
Process: What is self contained. SCV = "Self Contained Vehicle"
Before we get started, let me just say from the outset, that it is not an elitist , snobbery self indulgent Wiener practice forced upon poor Aussie battlers traveling around the country trying to stop them from free camping.
Now that we know what it Is NOT! Let's have a squiz then.
The meaning of a self-contained RV or Motor-home is one that can operate fully without any help from outside sources. A certified self-contained RV or motor-home will come equipped with a fully functioning toilet, water storage container which holds water for the toilet and shower, as well as a septic tank to take care of any waste. A fully functional kitchen with correct drainage to a grey water tank.
The number one advantage of a self-contained RV or Motor-home is that it allows you to camp without relying on a campsite with hookups. Free Camping self contained is where you stay somewhere overnight without connecting the RV/Motor-home to a source of electricity ,town water or a sewage system. Everything has to come from within the RV – and stay in it.
The three essential ingredients for this are –
A fully functional electric system that can draw power from a large-enough set of batteries and/or from a generator (if they are permitted, because some places they are not!)
A large-enough water tank that supplies all of your water needs.
A large-enough grey and black tanks that can collect both your excess grey water as well as waste.
A small change is happening where, some places are allowing the use of a built for purpose tote tank for the grey water.
CMCA:- The Camper-van Motor-home Club Australia has a good outline and program for Self Contained and Leave No Trace. click the grey link for document details that can be found here...
More and more places are starting to have the leave no trace, and to do this you must be self contained. Many places insist, so if you are not self contained and you want to use the facilities of a SCV Site then you will need to modify your vehicle or upgrade. The other option of course is, do not stop and use such facilities. No good complaining that it is not fair, or it is a stupid requirement, or what ever other excuse one might use. The simple truth is, It is Their Site and therefore it is Their Rules. Don't like the rules , then don't stop. That Simple.
NOTE:- If you see any violations, might I suggest you do something about it. Now, what do you do. Do you go on your favourite FB site and say "can you believe this" or what ever. No! Do you approach such offenders? I am pretty sure that you will cop a mouth full of abuse, and might even cop physical abuse. So the personal approach might not be safe and too confrontational. So might I suggest you try this. It is safe, secure, and will be discrete. There is an app for iPhones and android phones that is called "Snap Send Solve" click grey link below to see further:-
The easy and efficient way to notify local councils, utilities or other authorities of issues that need addressing in your community
You take a photo of the offense being committed, you photograph the number plate of offender and you send it to the local council. They now have proof of offense, details of offender and you just might save a wonderful SCV site being saved from closure due to these vile animals.