Sydney Backpackers

Some of Sydney's most expensive suburbs including Potts Point, Bondi, Coogee and Manly, are being invaded by backpackers. They set themselves up on footpaths, waiting to sell their campervans after their Aussie adventure holiday. The budget travellers, mostly from Europe, are making themselves very unpopular by urinating in the gutters and home owners are furious and want action.

Angela Gallo, cafe owner said "They sit outside our cafe with their gas burners and chairs, cooking meals sometimes for up to eight people and make a mess on the footpath. All the council has to do is put up signs saying "Selling vehicles is illegal and start towing them away".

Peter Miller, manager of Great Aussie Backpackers in Potts Point said there was an oversupply of vehicle sellers in Sydney. "With the downturn in global economies, we have more backpackers leaving Australia than arriving, so they sit there for days and weeks because they have lots of time but not much money" he said.

One backpacker Cedric Lemercier from France said he had been trying to sell his van for five weeks and had dropped the price from $6000 to about $3500. "I am going to New Zealand next and I need the money" he said.

Sydney Council has promised to investigate.