Renewed talks about the possibility of opening up Cairns Showgrounds to caravanners and motorhomers has enraged local caravan park owners.
Plunging superannuation funds, high fuel prices and a strong Aussie dollar have combined to leave many operators struggling with low occupancy rates … and say they can’t take much more.
Crystal Cascades Holiday Park owner Russell Drayton told the Cairns Post that if the showground was opened to motorhomes and caravans, it would ruin his business.
“It’s a joke,” he said. “Why bother wanting the showground opened up when we’ve got commercial operations that can’t fill up in absolute peak season?”
There are already concerns in some quarters about the large numbers of ‘free-campers’ who illegally stay overnight in areas such as the Cairns Esplanade, and the site known as Green Patch on the banks of the Mulgrave River near Gordonvale.
Fishery Falls Holiday Park manager Dianne Stepniewski told the Cairns Post that free camping facilities for motorhomes and caravans would also drive her out of business.
“It’s been a very hard year for us, and I think it would just complicate the whole thing if the showground were open,” she said. “I don’t know what else we can do … you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”
There have been claims that Cairns is missing out on millions of dollars in revenue because it doesn’t provide a central area close to the city for grey nomads to park up and stay the night.
However, Cairns MP Desley Boyle, who was formerly the Minister for Local Government and also held the tourism portfolio, dismissed the showground idea, claiming that grey nomads only spend a minimal amount of money in the Far North.
“As good as it is for them to go exploring Queensland and Australia, they in fact spend very little money,” she said. “They are inclined to use local resources, particularly in terms of water and waste management, without paying for it.”
Grrrrr!
The council has received applications to try to create free parking spaces across the city and these have been opposed by caravan park owners. There is currently free parking at Babinda, and council staff are considering other areas.
No wonder grey nomads look for cheaper alternatives to caravan parks. Why do prices go up so much. The facilities & service doesn’t get any better to match prices charged. I disagree strongly that grey nomads don’t spend money in towns. We support the towns that support us. We will not support parks that wish to double tariffs as a money grab when some event is on. More towns should follow the lead of Home Hill and Dululu in supporting grey nomad travellers. The town leaders should be congratulated for their initiatives.