A proliferation of travellers in recreational vehicles and vans staying overnight at coastal car parks and reserves has prompted the council to act.

An eight-month staged trial, at an expected cost of $26,250, will go ahead as a step towards a permanent answer to free camping at reserves and car parks.

The trial will incorporate research to better understand free campers’ habits and their economic impact, and manage information about permissible camping options.

The approach will include a trial of signs at hotspots.

Fines will be a last resort.

Mayor Peter Besseling said the council was looking at what would work in a sustainable manner so the problem was not moved from one area to another.

Recommendations will be made at the end of the trial for a long-term strategy to manage free camping.

Council’s commercial services and industry engagement acting director Monika Bretmaisser said free camping was an increasing phenomenon, and if the council retained the status quo, the result could be more and more free campers

Residents Bill Vogel and Andrew Crane addressed last week’s Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meeting about the issue.

Mr Vogel said campers stayed at Settlement Point park for days, sometimes longer, using the barbecues and facilities.

He has seen people erecting tents in front of no camping signs.

Mr Crane told the meeting the issue was broader than free camping, citing Settlement Point as an example, with people living in vehicles.

He said on Tuesday night, there were no less than 10 cars at Settlement Point park.

Some of the same cars return regularly.

“We are talking about people actually living in our parks and that needs to be considered in the research moving forward,” Mr Crane said.

He raised the need for a vehicle-based infringement system.

Mr Crane stressed the importance of the research being objective in examining the negative risks to the area and population.

Council’s acting general manager Craig Swift-McNair said he was confident the research would address the issues raised by Mr Crane.

The council believes its approach will preserve the positive tourism brand image, provide long-term management, capitalise on an opportunity to promote the region to increase tourism and encourage the private sector to adapt to the needs of an emerging market.