The seemingly endless debate about the pros and cons of free and cut-price camping continues to rumble on in rural communities across the country.
In the central Queensland town of Biloela, the local council has just approved 48-hour stays for recreational vehicles at a heritage park just around the corner from a less-than-impressed caravan park owner.
“What’s actually happening is we’re acting as an overflow facility for them,” Glen Cross told the ABC. “So, in the event that they’re full and occupied, then we get trade, otherwise we don’t receive any trade.”
However, Banana Shire Mayor Nev Ferrier is certainly standing firm on subsidised camping.
“The rules are the rules; they can have people there for 48 hours, so that’s what it is,” he told the ABC. “But they’re paying $15 at the Heritage Centre so, if the caravan park wants to match that, I guess they can.”
A few weeks ago, water authority Sunwater banned camping on the banks of the Callide Dam just out of Biloela, citing concerns about safety risks to campers if there was a sudden rise in water levels.
The motivation for regional towns seeking to offer cheap camping options is very clear … they’re chasing the ‘grey dollar’.
At Rockhampton, the Regional Council offers free camping at Kershaw Gardens, close to the city centre, with Mayor Margaret Strelow saying it is the best way to ensure grey nomad call in.
“It’s very clear that they do know where they can free camp and where they can’t,” she told the ABC. “And they do absolutely keep driving if they can’t stay in Rockhampton; they might make it another hour up the road or so.”
However, Caravanning Queensland chief executive Ron Chapman says it is important to remember that there are costs, as well as benefits to allowing travellers to camp for free.
“There are a lot of caravan parks on the market because they’re no longer viable because these areas have been set up on their doorstep,” he told the ABC.
It amazes me everytime I read these posts, most of us are nomads on limited incomes, there is no reason they can’t accommodate us at reasonable prices, what do you get for their rates,power and water, thats it. They have options, join cmca dollar wise system, most are self sufficent, so why not have a set rate, say $20, for that price maybe you can use some of their facilities, we certainly don’t need all the bells and whistles of families, I don’t feel sorry for them, they have had the monopoly of their rates long enough, and councils are realizing we are just driving straight past. It is give and take on both sides, I will always choose showground over cp anyday, as we don’t want much, just stay there to do a bit of washing and charge up, so cp parks need to take this advice on board and think about stop being so greedy and see commonsense about their situation as they are the ones that have done this to themselves
I know of two camps who tried the Dollar wise system and stopped it as it was being abused by those who used it ……. then you have to look at how much they have to payer for Council Rates and Power … A CP in WA said he needed 1650 nights per year just to pay for power and gas …he didnt elaborate on Rates etc…. another CP had council put up rates from $4000pa to $15000pa ….. its a no win situation for all, Councils, ratepayers, CP owners and Nomads, never ending cycle
We just prepared a travel plan for a trip to Melbourne (from Brisbane). We allowed a mixture of caravan parks and suitable free camps along the way. When we added up the cost of the caravan parks, we freaked out and took a week off our trip. The cost was bad enough, but it was the difficulty in finding pet friendly parks that was the biggest problem. If we decide to fly down, the caravan parks and other business’s will totally miss out and it will probably be cheaper for us.
“sudden rise in water levels”. Under what circumstances might this happen?? I have lived in Biloela during a previous life. The chances of this happening would be buckleys and 2%. It would take monumental rain in the catchment area to create a SUDDEN rise in water levels and there would be plenty of notice by the BOM.
We stayed at the Heritage Centre this year, it is an amazing place and such a great idea.. as we have worked hard and got a caravan with solar, lots of water tanks, self contained etc etc….we really do not want a caravan park which really can only offer us the dirt or grass to camp on. It is our choice to get cheaper or almost free camping arou d this amazing country.. so why cant we do what we want whilst we are capable of doing it. We do not harm anyone, we spend money in towns we stay in..whoch we wouldnt if there was no where to stay. So give us a break and make some low cost camps for us…
We recently spent 2 great nights at the Qld Heritage Centre. Close to all facilities, get to see the Museum there, access the dump point and generally have a great time. They even have a cafe on site! Thanks Biloela for a fantastic stay. PS we spent a huge amount of money in town whilst there.
We look after the towns that look after us.
We also prefer to use Showgrounds or other type facilities versus a C.Park.
C.Parks owners are like land developers they want to squeeze in as many spaces per acre. We are prepared to pay but we want room to allow us easy access to the site and and a little bit of FREEDOM space.
As I have stated previously, the C.Park owners did not consult any of the hotel and motels in their region before they decided to grow their business with the introduction of cabins.
No …………. we have no sympathy for C.Parks as they have bought all of this on themselves.
Why they even have the audacity to increase charges in the peak periods and then want to complain re the lack of customer support during the off season.
They need a new business model to survive going into the future.
There will always be cliental who want the security of C.parks.
But as for us we want what we enjoy most… bush camping or low cost camping.
John
Avoid those expensive caravan park places and just walk out, put it in the black book for next time round and then we just drive straight past. Thats what we do.
Sometimes we want a little extra comfort, spoil ourselves and stay in a motel for a night. I ask how much…they say $120 or $130… I say too much and walk out….just love doing this… and they call me back and say OK $90 or $100. We have done this many times. It works most times. Particularly when school holidays have just finished.
A message to all those whinging caravanners. Now you know why the Caravan Park owners are replacing sites for cabins. I understand totally why they would go down that path – a better return & less whingers. Soon those wishing to utilise caravan parks will have little choice. Careful what you wish for!!