The results of a survey on a proposed RV park trial in Darwin are in … and most respondents don’t want to see it go ahead.
The City of Darwin ran a stakeholder and community engagement process from April 24 until May 12 seeking feedback on the idea of recreational vehicle park at a site at Bundilla Beach, just north of the Darwin Ski Club at Fannie Bay.
It received 524 survey submissions and two written submissions during the 19-day engagement period with 37.6% of respondents supporting the trial, 4.2% being neutral, and 58.2% being opposed.
However, the council said a review of Facebook comments showed that majority of comments supported the proposal.
Grey nomads are heading north in numbers ... but will self-contained travellers in Darwin soon be able to stay at a new RV Park? PIC Cizza
A summary tabled at a council meeting yesterday revealed that those who supported the idea of an RV park trial cited the likely boost to the visitor economy and the potential for economic growth. Opponents raised concerns about restricted access for locals, physical aesthetics of park, consideration of alternate locations, and environmental impact.
There were also a range of views expressed on the benefit to local businesses, the activation of Bundilla Beach area, and the impact to anti-social behaviour.
Council officers recommended that the feedback outlined in the engagement report be considered a factor to inform a decision as to whether to trial an RV park at Bundilla Beach. They further proposed that the City of Darwin should undertake a communication program to inform surrounding businesses, other key stakeholders and the community when the council decides whether or not the trial should proceed.
The council says the site for the proposed trial is currently being used as a car park and has a bitumen surface. Guests at the proposed RV park would need to have fully self-contained RVs, including showers, toilets and kitchenette.
If eventually supported, the trial would run throughout the 2023 peak visitor period and see around 20 RVs allowed to stay.
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis has previously said the proposed trial was one way City of Darwin was exploring ideas to develop the local economy, support tourism growth and position Darwin as an attractive tourism destination.
“We want to see increased tourist numbers in Darwin, because we know that tourist spending stimulates the local economy beyond just accommodation and into retail, hospitality, art and creative industries, tours, transport and more,” Mr Vatskalis said.
“Accommodation in Darwin is always in high demand, and options are already booking out for 2023,” he said.
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I think this trial will be a great success and the local businesses will benefit. There a couple of ‘watering holes’ within easy walking distance where the visitors can dine out, and the Mindel Markets are just over the hill….an easy bicycle ride away.
There is a great free camp for self-contained vehicles at Gorrie Airfield. NT.
Gorrie Airfield was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airfield in the Northern Territory during World War II located about 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Larrimah and about 67 km (42 mi) south of Mataranka in what is now the locality of Elsey.
Possum, was your answer serious? Mataranka is 421ks south of Darwin. The closest we got to Darwin was Humpty Doo. There were no reasonably priced CP’s or available spots any closer to Darwin so we didn’t bother to visit. A free camp, CP or something would be great. Although I don’t think 20 spaces is going to make much difference. Needs to be several or much larger capacity.
Hey Meg camp in the open without security in Darwin at your own risk. Not me!
Exelent idea for boosting $ into the local economy,
Such high prices for the Darwin caravan parks put people off staying for extended time , this will help even out the cost to extend the stay and they can have more time and money for more tours etc
I think tourists and visitors expect too much of the locals who live in the area. I am pleased I am not a local.
It will be a great place for backpackers in their hired campers to legally stay at instead of stealth camping at Mindel Beach. Sales of 2 minute noodles, tinned baked beans & peanut butter will bring considerable revenue to local business’s.
Not many backpacker vehicles are self-contained, which would be a requirement if approved.
BTW, the NIMBY’s who live on East Point Rd opposite this proposal have long opposed anything happening to create any camping that they can see from their properties, and no doubt would like to see the Ski Club next to this proposal removed. They have in the past helped block the Darwin Bowls Club there in having Bowls related campers staying in their carpark.
Personally, this car park has long been an area for boaties to park their trailers as there is a boat ramp at the start of it, particularly in the dry season, and I’m not sure that it would leave them with adequate parking.
I was at Norsman at Christmas. at the local rv park. everywhere was full even every motel. without the free RV park about 40 vans would have been just camped in the bush.
Self contained…so who’s going to enforce this rule…so the regulation ranger arrives and the cunning free camper not self contained says he’s just taken his medication and can’t drive…the whole “self contained “ restriction is simply a token effort…
Ask the Mayor of Geraldton WA if the free camp in Geraldton is successful or not.
He will say it is, it’s been provided for 5 years or so. I haven’t heard anyone in Gero complain.
Ratepayers we know in the Geraldton area reckon it’s good for business.