Tasmanian councils are to be allowed to continue providing low-cost overnight camping for grey nomads … but they have been asked to liaise more closely with local caravan parks.
The state government has just completed its review into the whole issue surrounding budget camping on the Apple Isle, which was sparked by complaints to the Tasmanian Economic Regulator from private caravan site operators.
The Minister for Local Government Bryan Green said Tasmanian councils could continue to provide low-cost overnight camping for recreational vehicle users but they had to comply with National Competition Policy.
“The aim of review was to ensure councils who operate camping services are aware of their responsibility to comply with the principles of competitive neutrality,” Mr Green said. “Closing council-provided camping services was never the intention of the review.”
The minister said that the report, Statewide Directions Paper – Review of Council Recreational Vehicle Overnight Camping Services, had concluded that council-provided facilities could unfairly impact on private caravan parks.
“I encourage councils to work with local businesses to find ways of meeting tourist and community needs,” he said. “Councils have already indicated they want to keep prices as low as possible for low-service facilities – in the vicinity of $5 to $15 a night – which means there will still be low-cost options available for travellers in the state.”
