The tourism slowdown is certainly helping to change the way some Outback communities treat long-term caravanners and motorhomers.
In another encouraging sign that the contribution grey nomads make to remote areas is being more fully appreciated, by-laws that allowed travellers camping next to the Stuart Highway to be forcibly moved on have been scrapped.
The Barkly Shire says the move will not significantly affect local caravan parks, and that the by-laws are no longer necessary.
The bottom line is that in tough economic times, the powers-that-be have recognised they need to do all they can to encourage tourists to stay longer in certain areas.
“Basically what they’re trying to do is encourage the feeling, or foster the feeling that Tennant Creek and Elliot are areas that are friendly to travellers and we welcome them here,” Shire chief executive, David Shoobridge, told the ABC. “We’re not trying to force them to go into a caravan park.”
Hooray!
“Those that are going to use caravan parks will go into a caravan park,” Mr Shoobridge said. “And the people that run the caravan parks in Tennant Creek have admitted as much to us.”
