Coronation Beach camping clamp-down

Camping rules at popular Coronation Beach will be tightened and enforced because of misuse of the reserve by a handful of visitors. The Shire of Chapman Valley, which oversees the beach midway between Geraldton and Chapman Valley, will get tough on people doing the wrong thing. And a no-pay policy for Shire ratepayers staying at Coronation Beach has been axed, with all campers at the reserve now having to pay the same fee. Councillors last week reviewed the rules regarding Coronation Beach, following “conflict” between campers and the caretaker over the Christmas-new year period. Some campers were accused of “misinterpreting” the rules, while they complained of the way they were spoken to. In two incidents in late 2019 and early this year, one vehicle was parked at a site for 60 days. The owner of the vehicle claimed he and a friend — both ratepayers in the Shire — would be sharing the site. Such complied with the rule whereby Coronation Beach could be used for 30 days a year. However, the friend didn’t stay at the site. Another group stayed at the park during the day and left their son, believed to be 15 years old, at the site overnight. Children under 16 stay free of charge, and the group said they didn’t have to pay a camping fee. The Shire pointed out a youngster under 16 could camp free only when accompanied by an adult. The campers eventually agreed to pay.