News
6 November, 2025
Government and opposition differ on views about access to national parks
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman has described the privatisation of 23 camping grounds across the state, of which the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is one, as ‘hypocrisy’.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman has described the privatisation of 23 camping grounds across the state, of which the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is one, as ‘hypocrisy’.
She says that under Labor’s plan, camping at 16 national parks including Kosciuszko, Blue Mountains, Killalea, Bouddi, Mimosa Rocks, Dharug, Booti Booti, Wollemi, Warrumbungle, Ku-ring-gai Chase, Murramarang and the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve will be handed to private operators.
Private operators will have the right to book and resell campsites, hire out caravans, tents and equipment, and sell food packages.
They’ll also be exempt from park entry fees, whereas families will still have to pay.
“Just when your family starts to get excited about their Christmas camping adventure, Labor slugs more financial burden on you,” Mrs. Tuckerman said.
“This is outright hypocrisy from a government that claims it’s opposed to privatisation.”
However, Labor says that having a variety of businesses operating within national parks is not new, and has been occurring since 2009.
“There are currently 383 licensed operators,” a spokesperson from National Parks and Wildlife told The Southern Wire.
“They book less than 1% of overnight stays, and most of them are for schoolchildren participating in outdoor education programs. Revenue from this service is expected to be minimal (less than $30,000 per year) for national parks.”
The spokesperson also added that since 2023, NPWS has invested $42 million to upgrade, expand and build new campgrounds, including 18 new campgrounds and 36 upgrades.
“The Government is exploring new ways for more people to enjoy our incredible network of National Parks,” they said.
“NPWS invited Expressions of Interest submissions from businesses who can offer optional camping equipment hire and set up service at 23 campgrounds across 16 national parks and reserves.
“We know camping gear can be a significant upfront cost for campers. Research tells us that in NSW, around 10% of people have never camped before but are keen to try, drawn to travel and nature, but lack the necessary equipment for a weekend of camping.
“By offering a service that provides fully set-up camping gear, camping can be made more accessible, encourage more people to explore the outdoors and help them gain confidence.
“NPWS hopes to see many more families trying camping without having to invest in or store equipment. Supported camping will also allow travellers from interstate and overseas opportunities to camp, without having to bring all their gear with them, which is often impractical.
“Camping support services may include tent or caravan hire and or setup, equipment and bedding hire, and optional food and related offerings.
“Supported camping will operate side by side existing campsites. All campgrounds will remain open to the public, and there will not be ‘exclusive’ use of any campsite by a private operator.”
The spokesperson also added that there were already restrictions on the number of sites that can be used (in many locations the limit is two to five) and there are also some restrictions on timing (e.g. not during school holidays).
Mrs. Tuckerman’s concerns were also shared by NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman and other members of the Shadow ministry, including Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope, Shadow Minister for the Environment James Griffin and Shadow Minister for Tourism Kevin Anderson.
“Labor promised transparency and fairness, but after three budgets they’ve delivered spin, slogans and now privatisation of camping sites,” Mr. Speakman said.
Minister Tudehope expressed Labor’s supported camping idea as a ‘money grab’.
“It’s symptomatic of a government which has lost control of its budget and is now reaching into the pocket of every household that loves getting outdoors,” he said.
Shadow Minister for the Environment James Griffin said that when the Liberals were in government, Labor criticised the government’s plan to create multi-day walks to ensure everyone in NSW, whether a seasoned hiker or budget conscious family, could enjoy national parks.
“This plan from Labor is another example of them picking the pockets of people trying to visit a NSW national park,” Mr. Griffin said.
And Minister Anderson said that this could put ‘the great outdoors’ at risk in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.
“Camping has always been a great Australian pastime, with generations of families enjoying some time away from the rat-race in the peace and tranquility without breaking the bank,” Mr. Anderson said.
“Our national parks are a huge draw card for rural and regional areas, receiving more than 50 million visits every year, including 1.8 million overnight campground stays, but now Labor wants to put our most treasured natural assets behind a paywall, which is absolutely outrageous.”
The Expressions of Interest for commercial businesses to take up the proposal ended last Tuesday 28 October, with an estimated decision date of 2 February next year, and a timeframe of delivery of 6 years, to be completed by 27 February 2032.
For more information on the Expression of Interest, visit the NSW Government link at https://buy.nsw.gov.au/prcOpportunity/15AB962B-6921-4C98-99A8EEAF4F3E9C93.
Read More: Goulburn, Southern Tablelands, Southern Highlands