The future of the popular grey nomad camping spot at Greenhill Lake near Ararat in Victoria – not to be confused with the similarly named Greens Lake – is under the microscope,
The owners of the nearby Pyrenees Caravan Park have strongly criticised council proposals to lease out the Greenhill Lake Reserve for development and commercial operation.
Those camping at the site have long paid a donation of $5, but Ian and Jillian Heffernan fear there are now moves afoot to effectively turn Greenhill Lake into a fully operating caravan park.
At present, the Ararat Rural City Council is the Committee of Management for the crown land reserve and is responsible for the day to day management of the reserve, including the waterways management for the lake. The Greenhill Lake Development Board undertakes several maintenance and supervisory tasks, including mowing and minor clean ups.
Now, the Ararat Advertiser reports that the council has resolved to look at leasing out all or part of the Greenhill Lake Reserve. Such a move would leave the reserve’s management to a body which could develop it as a caravan park or have it remain a simple camping ground.
The Heffernans believe they are among a majority of the Ararat business community that has grown concerned with the expenditure of ratepayer funds at Greenhill Lake at the expense of existing businesses in the town.
“They are not compliant with the regulations, we are, and the money and upkeep for the area that all comes from us as ratepayers,” Mr Heffernan told the Ararat Advertiser. “Whenever we hear that the development board has received money we think it has to have come from somewhere and, as a result, someone else is missing out.”
The Heffernans say the Pyrenees Caravan Park hasn’t increased its prices for five years as a direct result of the increased competition posed by, what they believe to be, a free camping facility on their doorstep. They are also upset that the council has been using ratepayers’ money to distribute flyers to promote the camping spot.
“People have the right to camp out there, if they choose to. We are all for leisure, bird watching, fitness activities and when there is water, fishing and boating, but not a powered caravan park,” Mrs Heffernan told the Ararat Advertiser. “All this money they are spending on the lake, out of town, could be going into something like an outdoor pool.”
Comment below
sounds like they don’t like competition
everyone tells us competition is good
that is as long as it doesn’t affect us I suppose
again not all people want to go to a caravan park
Where do caravan parks get off? Picture this headline “McDonalds demands KFC close down! Irresponsible KFC outlets threaten Maccas profits! A Government spokesman has expressed serious concern and emergency funding has been rushed to Maccas to tide them over while an enquiry into KFC takes place”.
greedy caravan parks again
getting sick of there mongrels
I totally agree Madelon, another favourite with us freedom of choice lovers, Local motel demands nearby caravan park stops putting in cabins to try & steal their business, hello, it’s about choice, if you can’t compete with someone offering such basic amenities maybe they need to look at what they need to do to value add to what they are offering, just a thought :/
Another great campsight under threat,have just spent five days there,fueled up & bought a fortnights supplies plus gas in Ararat,A great stopover,much loved by campers & locals alike,HANDS OFF.
Having stayed at the lake over an Easter period, we were surprised at the number and destinations of our fellow campers. If this reserve was turned over to commercial enterprise that will kill the lake as a tourist/camping site. Even Pyrenees said that the cheap camping at the lake has provided competition and forced them to keep their prices at the same rate for 5 years. Bet they’re still turning profit.
We are permanent grey nomads and our home is a large bus-trailer combo and find caravan parks a struggle to fit in and our price goes up.
Once the tourist realise that this site is more expensive then the tourist dollars will dry up. Then watch the businesses scream about the lack of income.
We have just spent ten days at this venue, along with another couple. We spent a considerable amount of money in Ararat, groceries, fuel, camping equipment, dining at the RSL and various eateries. We would not have stopped in Ararat at a caravan park. If Greenhill Lake is changed into a commercial caravan park, we will seek out alternative sites to stay .I’m sure that the business community of Ararat will be the losers.
This area has been a camping ground for many many years. I do not understand the caravan park’s argument. I have not stayed at this site, so cannot comment on the facilities or lack of, however I travelled through Ararat and looked at the CP’s there, they did not appeal at all and travelled onto Stawell.
I agree with the previous comments, I am sure the motels in the area are not happy about the amount of cabins being erected in Caravan Parks, however one never hears about this side of the business. Once again it gets back to the old adage, if you provide an excellent service then word of mouth will have them coming to your establishment. Of course the opposite is also correct, if you do not provide that service, then word of mouth will have them stay away.
I like to free camp, and choose little towns to spend my money in. The amount that I spend can vary from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars, depending on my needs at the time, eg, fuel, food and then the clothes and shoes that one has to buy even if not needed. So everyone wins, not just the caravan parks.
My concern is that what sounds sounds like a great freedom camp area is going to be ramped up to what could be a caravan park. At the moment those who require a caravan park or a freedom camp have a choice, pay for the comforts or not. If the choice is taken away and the offering of both is the same then both sides could lose as many would as indicated above simply go somewhere else where there is a true choice of venues. As a freedom camper I do not demand for services to be supplied by ratepayers for gratis. As always I am prepared to pay for what I require which is very little.
Just another whinging caravan park to add to my black list. AVOID.
Spent a week there only a week ago and loved it. Would have stayed longer but had to be somwhere.
Sorry Ararat, your loss!! No free camping!! We will just move on to the next RV Friendly Town and spend our hard earned dollars there. The type of folk who frequent free camps are usually retirees and we do stock up etc. where free camps are available. What a shame for your lovely town.