After initially appearing to indicate that communal toilets would not be allowed to open when caravan parks in Victoria begin welcoming holidaymakers again on Monday, the state government has seemingly had a change of heart.
The initial ruling that would have effectively limited stays to those with self-contained caravans and motorhomes sparked something of a backlash.
The owner of the Stratford on the River Tourist Park, Louise Perrett, told the ABC that keeping toilets and showers closed would not have made any sense.
“Some public toilets, for example at shopping centres, have been open this whole time,” she said. “Caravan parks are predominantly very clean and hygienic … “It’s hard telling people who want to come they won’t be able to use the toilets or showers.”
The initial announcement that Victorian van parks could re-open was made on May 24 at the same time it was decided there would be an easing of travel restrictions. The changes come into effect on June 1.
Now, VicParks says it has just received advice from government that communal toilets will in fact be allowed to open to service all van park guests.
“The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) advises that floor markings must be used to promote the 1.5 metre social distancing requirements,” said the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Scott Parker. “All toilets must be in working condition with soap provided, and increased cleaning.”
In announcing the opening of the parks again, the government issued strict requirements for operators to follow including the requirement that they apply stringent social distancing, surface cleanliness and personal hygiene processes to protect themselves, their staff and guests from the chance of infection.
“VicParks has worked hard to ensure a safe re-opening of caravan parks to support members and the Victorian community who are desperate to enjoy time away,” the organisation said.
Common sense perhaps? Why would u pay to stay at a park but not be able to use facilities!!
Maybe for the security side of it. A lot of people now say that they don’t need the amenities in the parks as they are self sufficient, as am i.. So all i really need is a place just to park.. You don’t wash/shower, use the water to fill your tanks. connect to the power or use the dump point . And lets not forget the laundry. They just park you down the back somewhere and when they leave they say “No Gennies ” And keep the dogs on a leash..and quiet !. But for some people at least they have the security of somewhere to leave the van while they go off and explore the area,do some shopping without trying to find parking big enough to get the van in also. This i feel would help those that cannot or will not use van parks because of costs… We just need some caravan parks that can see this and adapt… What would be a reasonable price ? … We arrive in the afternoon and gone the next day by 10.00am. What’s so hard . Let’s adapt and move forward and recover. I am in W.A. and looking forward to being out there !!
Great outcome so long as the rules are followed re:cleaning of amenities. I don’t use them but it’s a great result for those not self contained
At times you just have to wonder at the logic of some decisions. Problem is, a number of decisions are made by people who have never lived in the real world and just exist in a little Authoritarian Bubble.
Does that include nsw caravan parks?
What is the ruling in SA?
I was thrilled to hear restrictions easing as I’ve been forced to rent an expensive B&B cottage for the past 3 months when the local showgrounds I was staying in closed due to restrictions. I live full time in a small old caravan, am on disability and have no home to go back to and I’m “not self contained”. I’ve been told that the new rules say campers can use the communal toilets, but not the showers. What the….?! This is getting ridiculous! Surely you’d have more chance of catching a bug from a toilet than in a shower???
I’m getting sick of this! I’m stuck in QLD and haven’t seen my son who I’d been meaning to visit in Melbourne when this all happened. I’m immunocompromised so I’ve been in total isolation since March 16th. I haven’t seen anyone since then but I’m about to hitch up the van and bug outta QLD before I go crazy. My son wanted to come see me but he can’t come into QLD. I’ve been too scared to go anywhere for fear of getting my tyres slashed or being turned away from caravan parks because I’m not “self-contained” but nobody has been talking about what it’s like for people in my situation who are financially unable to own or rent a house and for whom roaming around in an old van was the way to make the best of a bad situation. At first I was afraid of dying of Covid, now I’m afraid of dying of isolation!
There is some confusion in this, as only the toilets are allowed to be used, NOT the showers in VIC, refer to Vicparks website.
Slim Dusty sang : “Big frogs in little puddles laying down the law…
tying bows in red tape..and don’t know what they’re for”..!