Kiama Rugby Sevens co-ordinator Mark Bryant said the council allowing campers on Chittick Oval and parts of the showground was causing substantial damage to the grass.

He said the structures used by campers killed the grass.

"Then the show is on, which kills the grass too," he said.

"You've got V8 utes doing burnouts on the ground.

"Turfco has to cut sections out.

"How much money do they make from campers versus how much they spend on repairing it? Is there a return on investment?

"The junior league, and senior league and union use those facilities and are all affected."

Kiama Knights Junior Rugby League secretary Leah Roberts said the situation was an ongoing source of frustration for the club.

She said it hampered the start of their season.

"Now our kids are just starting to register, they could be starting to train, but the grounds are shut," she said.

"I understand the show has to use the ground, but do they really need V8s tearing up the ground?"

Kiama District Sports Association president Col Rathbone said they regularly raised the issue with the council.

"I understand there's nothing we can do about the show, but we firmly believe camping should not be allowed on Chittick Oval and the showground," he said.

"If they've got a tent set up for four to six weeks, and stay in one spot rather than moving around, it just kills the grass.

"I know it's a showground and the show has to go on, but things like V8 utes need to be more carefully planned as to where they perform, or if they perform at all."

Kiama Show Society president David Young said they had a very good working relationship with all the users of the facilities, as well as Kiama Municipal Council.

"It is called the Kiama Showground because it is the showground," he said.

"It will continue to be the ground where we primarily have the show."

Mr Young said the society did not book acts that would cause excessive damage.

"We have animals, cattle, showjumping, our entertainment on there ... We do our best to leave it in as best condition as we can."

Council general manager Michael Forsyth was surprised by the comments, and was not aware of any complaints.

The council received high compliments on the grounds' condition, which "are always in tip-top condition," he said.

Any funds from camping went into maintenance of those reserves, which was to the benefit of the clubs year-round, he said.

Mr Rathbone questioned how much benefit the camping funds afforded the clubs.

"I don't think they get back enough money ... (I don't think there's) enough left over after they repair the damage.

"The amount of money it costs to repair after the campers would outweigh the money that they make."

According to a council spokesperson, camping is believed to have taken place at Chittick Oval and Kiama Showground since the 1930s. Camping is also allowed on Chapman Oval.

"The reserves where Chittick and Chapman Ovals and Kiama Showgrounds are located are Crown reserves.

"They are subject to Crown Land Plans of Management and these acknowledge their shared use including as sporting, show and camping grounds.

"Providing these areas as public camping ground significantly assists council, our local tourism industry and our economy during our busy holiday season. A special licence is issued annually.

"Several years ago, council reduced the number of camping sites it made available in order to restrict the size of playing field areas being affected.

"While some damage does occur to the grounds due to camping and show activities, the revenue from camping continues to be positive following the normal repairs costs.

"This year, the grounds are expected to be in excellent condition before the football season begins."

A spokeswoman said while the exact figure for income generated from camping was hard to quantify, they estimated during the 2014-15 season approximately $130,000 was raised.

Approximately $40,000 was spent on caretaker fees, water costs, additional electricity charges and turf repairs. Net return on the leasing of Chittick Oval and the Showground amounts to approximately $90,000. Net return on leasing of these properties is required to be spent on the improvement and maintenance of Crown reserves including Chittick Oval and the Showground.