The Tweed region has lost a free campsite with the local council blaming campers for dumping garbage.

Located just off the Pacific Motorway beside the Tweed River, the park was originally set up by a former councillor as a botanical reserve.

Tweed Director Planning and Regulation Vince Connell said council felt that the value of the site was being degraded.

“People were abusing the park and dumping rubbish – it was getting run down,” he said.

Council has however opened up a new site 20km inland at the Murwillumbah Showground.

Mr Connell says council understands the need to keep up with the times and provide a free option for travellers, but the idea is not without its challenges.

“The industry is changing and we need to catch up,” he says. “The RV market is one we want to tap into, but it needs to be done properly.”

“Council is looking for another suitable area within the hinterland, but would need to balance the financial outlay with the potential return on investment”.

“Legislative hurdles for even the most basic of free campgrounds require significant financial outlay to establish. We don’t want to place a drain on council funds,” Mr Connell said.