Following complaints from a local accommodation provider, grey nomads will soon be paying twice as much to stay at two cut-price council spots at Sheffield in Tasmania.
Kentish Council has voted to raise fees at O’Neill’s Creek Reserve and Sheffield Recreation Ground from $5 to $10.
The decision was made in response to the proprietors of the Gowrie Park Wilderness Village lodging a competitive neutrality complaint with the Office of the Tasmanian Economic Regulator on March 19, 2018.
A council spokesman told the Advocate newspaper that it was likely the change would come into effect May 1, with the council needing to provide a bit of notice, time and signs before raising the price.
Investigations found the Kentish Council had gone against the competitive neutrality principles in two instances.
According to the Advocate, one found it had not applied full cost attribution (FCA) to the caravan/RV parking and camping services provided at O’Neills Creek, Kentish Park Lake Barrington, Lake Barrington Park (Wilmot) and the Railton (free camp) sites.
In addition, the council had not demonstrated that it had applied full cost attribution to the caravan/RV parking services provided at the Sheffield Overnight RV Stop site.
An independent assessment found the $5 charge was below the average cost of camping under full cost attribution for both sites.
I think $10 is very fair, I certainly don’t mind that price.
Free campers spend money where they stop. Fuel, supplies, coffee, meals, vehicle repairs and servicing etc.
Roma in QLD was an example where the council asked free campers to put the receipts for money they spent in the town, in a box. Findings of the money spent in town proved the value of the free camp (RV friendly town) system.
Cooktown was another example. The caravan park owner was opposed to a free camping proposal. When free camping was set up, more RVs and caravanners came to town. Money spent in town increased and many travelers even decided to use the caravan park on their arrival giving the park many nights on maximum capacity for a change. (people did not want to drive there just to be turned away if the van park was full and there was no other camping options)
Jugiong in southern NSW runs a free camp with a donation box. The money spent in the local village is substantial
Many towns are now realizing the benefits.
Councils and businesses need to do their sums and not make blind assumptions.
Having said that I am fully self contained and happy to support donation tins or small fees to assist in providing the running costs.