same as in Tassie.. the council run caravan parks are going broke... easiest way to bring in cash (they think) is to ban camping anywhere but their run down facilities.
Thankfully some of the councils in NSW are seeing the light. Realising their towns are going broke (particularly when bypassed) they're trying to encourage people to come stay and visit by providing overnight areas or short term camps in the hope people will visit and spend a bit of coin in the local shops.
Its surprising that NSW, which is usually one of the most legislated states hasn't introduced similar. I'm trying to get my head round it but thankfully all the rules seem to be around commercial campgrounds so don't preclude someone camping with your mates on a property, but its a bit unclear. Though it seems you can get round the regs by holding a sporting, recreation or cultural event. So camping with your mates for xmas is a recreational event right?
"Under the LG Regulation 2005, a temporary caravan park or camping ground operated for a period of 6 weeks or less, solely in connection with use of the land for a sporting, recreation or cultural event, does not have to be designed, constructed, maintained and operated in accordance with Subdivisions 1-8 of Division 3 of Part 3 of the Regulation (see clause 73(3)). This means, for example, that the park or ground may be excused from having permanent amenities."
At least camping is permitted in all NSW State forests (except for Cumberland and Strickland State forests) and is still FREE!