Queensland caravan parks battle free camping as national challenges bear down 
Trish and John Dobosz of
White Rock Caravan Park |
By Garth Morrison Editor GoSeeAustralia
Concerns about free camping got plenty of air time at the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland Conference in Brisbane last week.
It is a national concern for caravan parks throughout Australia, but although there are no real statistics Queensland probably faces the biggest challenge with more than a hundred caravans in some rest areas.
GoSeeAustralia met an estimated 100 caravans in a rest area at Calliope, 25km south of Gladstone on a recent editorial tour. The caravans and their owners had been there "a few days" in an area not set-up for so many people.
It is a certain sign that CPAQ and the caravan industry in Australia is once again in times of challenge and change.
All mobiles will be turned off or they disappear for three months |
About 80 delegates from 49 Queensland caravan parks at the CPAQ conference at Brisbane's Royal on the Park heard some councils encourage the situation.
But others manoeuvre to keep free camping alive as they say it is good for local businesses.
The delegates also heard in general discussion that Queensland caravan parks face many challenges.
They include dealing with land tax issues, the current Government attitudes to caravan parks, legal matters, the need for better analysis, commitment to caravan and camping shows and support for the national industry marketing arm CRVA . CRVA President Garry Bushell told the CPAQ delegates and GoSeeAustralia that the $250,000 government funded Safari Trails pilot program was not something CRVA wanted to run as an association and discussions are now being held with an automobile association.
TV and national magazine advertising continue as the main CRVA marketing tools. He said $45,000 has been earmarked to restructure the CRVA web site.
A big tick and a happy stamp from ContACT GoSeeAustralia |
The Caravan Parks Association of Queensland has 416 members and 113 associate members and
as usual it is the committed association members who will fund the future for the caravan park industry in Queensland.
John Dobosz of White Rock Caravan Park, near Cairns, told GoSeeAustralia today that free camping for often 60-80 plus campers was not policed by councils for health or safety considerations.
" I don't think one to two days is an issue", he said. "But the Tablelands and around Cairns seem to get most of them and near Mareeba there is a place next to a creek with one toilet and shower where caravans stay for weeks in the peak season."
"We approach councils and they argue it brings more business to the towns. But does it?"
" I think the councils are kidding themselves", he said
"Grey Nomads stock up in the city. They don't fill up in a country place like Mareeba. They are not going to pay $1.50 a litre for fuel or pay the higher local grocery prices.
" We don't mind travellers stopping to have a rest, fine, but don't stop in a rest area and free camp for a week", John Dobosz said. " It stops caravan parks from earning a living and what about the Health and Safety issues involved if somebody gets hurt and sues a council?" he said.
During the recent GoSeeAustralia tour in Queensland with the company Heritage caravan we found another rest area heavily patronised by many caravans. The rest area is only about 2km from central Maryborough.
Answer the questions and you get a stamp |
Despite the real concerns CPAQ is struggling to make headway to meet the challenge of free camping and rest areas in Queensland. This is a position they share nationally with caravan parks and Recreational Vehicle industry bodies in meetings with councils and government departments.
GoSeeAustralia believes that higher fuel costs this year may be the reason travellers are using the free rest areas to balance their touring budgets. This could mean more unoccupied sites in Queensland's caravan parks.
CPAQ delegates were told in general discussion that Government refusal to include the requirement "to be built to the building code" in the defination of a manufactured home is a deep concern for Queensland caravan park owners and managers who may wish to sell their caravan park in the future.
They heard that a Tribunal and District Court findings that a 'Squareline' is a manufactured home means a normal touring caravan with a rigid annexe may now be considered to be a manufactured home under the Act and is entitled to be given a perpetual base.
Editors Note: A 'Squareliner' is usually a big caravan up to 28 ft. GoSeeAustralia understands they were built to be placed on a caravan park site rather than designed as a touring caravan.
Don and Alison and Peter and Gayle. They just cant stay away from CPAQ conferences |
The Caravan Parks Association of Queensland direction is common to caravan park and industry associations throughout Australia in meeting obstacles and damaging regulations that continue to confront the caravan park industry in Australia.
This is an attitude shared by SA parks President Richard Davis who also urged his members to look for solutions to the free camping challenge at the SA Parks Conference in Victor Harbor earlier in August this year.
Roadside camping is seen as something to approach with a positive in South Australia.
SA Parks President, Richard Davis says that park owners should look for solutions which attracted “free campers” to parks facilities by offering options which appeal.
SA Parks is talking to councils on the subject seeking their attitudes and direction. Continuing the caravan park owners concerns with accommodation standards nationally SA Caravan Parks Association Vice President, Ron Shattock, told the August SA Annual General meeting at McCracken Resort, Victor Harbor that there were concerns about the value of star rating of accommodation to produce a common standard across Australia’s states and territories.
“Work needs to be put into (point) criteria items and it is not only caravan parks but hotels and motels who are concerned”, he said.
Editors Note: It should be understood in relation to free camping that nationally caravan park owners have no problem with the traveller who camps out of town but find it a bit hard to swallow when free facilities are provided by councils in direct competition with their caravan parks which are rate paying businesses.
Tonnes of trees to shift after Cyclone Larry |
After Monday March 20, 2006 Cyclone Larry and subsequent flooding rains in many parts of North Queensland made it tougher to sell Queensland as a holiday destination.
But in response CPAQ assisted some of the affected caravan parks to attend the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Caravan Shows to tell travellers the North is open for business.
Fuel prices rose to the point where some travellers did not travel as far north as usual.
But many caravan parks in the southern half of Queensland saw the opportunity and had solid booking through the winter.
As corporates continue to acquire many Queensland caravan parks CPAQ President Harry Kastrissios told the Brisbane conference delegates in open discussion that there is a need to encourage the new corporate caravan park owners to become active in the association to maintain the strength and representation of CPAQ.
The Queensland Government has not followed the lead of the Victorian and South Australian Governments who moved to address the Land Tax problem as it impacted on caravan parks but during the CPAQ conference there were some indications from the CPAQ executive that the minister was listening.
Danella the Free Spirit always has fun with a big barbecue |
We also include some before and after Larry shots taken by Googarra Caravan Park Tully Heads.
Googarra Beach Van Park has 65 tourist sites of which 60 are powered. The park has excellent amenities including a well stocked supermarket. The park is in a quiet area and the staff are friendly and helpful.
A number of modern cabins are available for rent. Internet facilities are available in the supermarket.
John Dobosz's White Rock Caravan Park is set in a meticulously maintained tropical corner of Cairns.
Camping or caravanning White Rock has ample powered and unpowered sites available, grassy sites, sites with slabs and most are shady.
The modern air conditioned cabins are situated amongst lush tropical gardens and come fully self contained. The facilities include ensuite, air conditioning, T.V., microwave oven and cooking facilities, linen is provided.
Graham Wallace with GoSeeAustralia advertising package prize winner Patricia of White Rock Tourist Park in Rotorua New Zealand |
Please mention GoSeeAustralia when you call!
Patricia and John Dobosz won the $990 GoSeeAustralia advertising package Level 6 enhancement for 12 months and they took advantage of GoSeeAustralia's mapping facility at the International FPA Conference in New Zealand.
The friendly FPA Chain held its annual conference in Rotorua. GoSeeAustralia’s Managing Director Graham Wallace and partner Michele joined the conference and spent three weeks in September gathering information for a new venture - a GoSeeNewZealand website.
For more information
contact: Garth Morrison
Editor Go See Australia Directory
Phone: 02 6294 1941
Fax: 02 6284 9275
Email: garth@contact.com.au
Editor's Note also see:
What is GoSeeAustralia all about?
SA caravan parks conference told AAA Tourism star rating consistency in question
It's 'Go Sexy' at the CRVA Conference
Cabin alternative wins Aussie family vote
Cabins first choice for family holidays
Meet Luke, the future for Caravan Parks in Australia
GoSeeAustralia finds One Mile Beach Port Stephens a caravan park paradise
Kids are King in Caravan Parks
GoSeeAustralia compiled these snapshots at the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland Conference at Brisbane's Royal on the Park.
Booking systems can be fun according to Big Al Ricketts |
Clean and green Googarra now
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Googarra pool shed after cyclone Larry |
Refurbished Googarra bar and cafe
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Happiness is mutual for Marcus and Amanda on the AAA Tourism stand |
Hey Ron I think we got that right
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Googarra Bar and cafe after Larry hit |
Googarra pool shed area now
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Howard the man from Sleepyhead tells great bedtime stories |
Its Ken Illich The man from Cosmo Cabins |
Neil is excited about Auscape cabins
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Now the question is Tony how many Powerheads can you make in a week |
What is the Pie Guy so interested in wireless internet |
Yes Dianne Niel has a cabin for you
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Yes it will all come out in the wash |
Yes Jayne we have powerheads for all occasions |
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