A NSW council has given the go-ahead for a new ‘primitive’ campground to be established, despite the objection of a local caravan park.
Eurobodalla Shire Council has approved a proposal for 18 sites in two designated areas at Moruya Showground on the NSW South Coast, south of Batemans Bay.
The About Regional publication reports the new campground will be targeted at grey nomads seeking affordable camping options and amenities.
The sites would be for self-contained caravans and motorhomes only, with a maximum stay of seven nights.
About Regional says there will be an on-site caretaker and bookings will be through council’s centralised booking office and online booking platform.
Grey nomads on the NSW coast will soon have a new budget camping option. PIC: Cizza
Camping operations will be restricted during large annual events such as the annual show and rodeo.
The council motion also included endorsing an allocation of $86,000 to bring the facilities up to standard, including amenities upgrades and a dump point installation.
Project management costs would reportedly take the total capital investment to $100,000, with the camping ground expected to produce annual revenue of $90,000. That is based on a camping fee of $30 per night on 18 sites and 50% occupancy.
The About Regional publication reports that the camping fees would be reinvested back into the showground facility, and that the initiative is expected to boost the economy of Moruya and surrounds through tourism spending on fuel, dining, shopping and various services.
Discussion over the campsite proposal reportedly took up well over half of the council’s two-hour meeting.
A letter from one local caravan park was read out which argued the proposed new camping ground would divert business from existing caravan park operators who were significant employers. It said it was common practice for councils to apply a 20-kilometre radius from existing caravan parks to new primitive camping sites.
“Commercial caravan parks play a vital role in the tourism economy, including environmental stewardship and providing visitor information,” the letter said.
However, About Regional reports that Lindsay Boyton of the Moruya Showground Management Committee spoke in favour of the proposal, saying he regularly received calls from travellers asking if there was camping available at the showground.
“Most only want to stay one or two nights, so businesses in Moruya are losing out on this business,” Mr Boyton said. “When we get the bypass we will be losing passing traffic so the showground could be made RV-friendly, but we would need signs up saying that Moruya is RV-friendly.”
Patricia Hellier, a grey nomad from Batemans Bay, said the shire needed to embrace all forms of tourism.
“It is a totally different atmosphere of like-minded people who camp at showgrounds,” Ms Hellier said. “Grey nomads don’t generally go to caravan parks.”
The proposal was carried by seven votes to two.
As part of the council’s investigations, research established that showgrounds around the state with camping options had site fees ranging between $25 – $35 per night (maximum two people) with a charge of $5 for each additional person.
The proposed fees for camping at Moruya Showground are:
The council is seeking feedback on the proposed camping fees. Submissions can be made here. The closing date for submissions is August 22.
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I had to have a laugh at the classification of this camp primitive cam. But will still be $30 plus. And no mention of price for no power. It’s great to open up Showgrounds for camping this should be across Australia as it is a asset of council that is under used.
I wonder if the caravan parks who objected have cabins available for overnight stays. If so, aren’t they taking business away from Motels. Traditionally caravan parks were just that, just for caravans and campers, no on-site accomodation.
Agree, they seem to have forgotten how many small country motels went out of business when they started building cabins. There’s an easy solution, “change their business model” & evolve with the way the van industry has changed rather than just complain.
Ie provide a section of the park to park & be able to stay hooked up for a night for those just passing through. Also as most people have ensuites these days, vary the rate, if people want access to the parks bathrooms or not. It’s not that difficult to think outside the box.
The caravan park in question is easts dolphin beach holiday park south heads rd Moruya heads. They have various levels of cottages . Very expensive to the cheaper options .
Thats been a argument for years of which i wholly agree they dont like that the caravan parks everywhere
At caravan parks, guests pay for the swimming pools, playground equipment t, etc etc. All things that Grey Nomads don’t need or use. As a regular visitor to Moruya, I found the caravan park we stayed at was beginning to price itself out of our budget, as are all caravan parks on the east coast. I applaud the council for passing this initiative, it means we can continue to visit the town we love and enjoy so much.
What do you mean, we love swimming in pools.
From our observations, many other elderly folk enjoy pools as well.
Yet another example of a caravan park not knowing who their market is. Like any small business, doomed to failure if they don’t understand the basics
Competition is good in a capitalist economy. Those that want to be at caravan parks will still go to caravan parks. Grey nomads may, more likely, bypass the areas without free or cheaper facilities.
It may encourage the CPs to offer better value for money and not just capitalise on being the only show in town!
$30 per night for no facilities isn’t low cost and most roadside gravel pits have nicer ambience.
Agree.
Glad I’m not the only one that was thinking that as I was reading it. We aren’t self sufficient so looks like we wont be using the facilities anyway. There are still a lot of grey nomads that float around in smaller set ups that dont have facilities. So basically $30 just to park your van
What the hell makes caravan parks think they are privileged beyond the rest of commerce in the community? Is the council contemplating closing the op shop because it competes with the local retailers?
Australia is a free enterprise nation and its competition that keeps prices under control.
Time the vanparks adjusted their business model to adapt to the changing marketplace.
Great to hear Moruya show grounds is providing camping. It is a shame all towns who have show grounds don’t open them for caravaners as this will create more spending in their town, plus help with costs of upkeep of the facilities. Most of us don’t want the “bells and whistles” of a caravan park and the now exorbitant fees to stay a night. When you are on a pension you just can’t affordhigh-end accommodation night after night. Maybe council’s need to provide council parks as in the past with lower costs to the camper. Caravan park owners need to stop winging about caravaners looking for affordable accommodation and not staying with their inflated prices.
I agree. We have come inland this year because of the high prices on the east coast. We don’t want all the bells and whistles. Just some power and water. I am glad to hear the Moruya Council is going to open up the showgrounds to camping. More of the councils along the east coast should do the same.
Certainly find that calling the Showground Campground Primitive Camping is laughable at $30/night and upgraded ammenities … Van park owner needs education I think the people who usually stay at Showgrounds wouldn’t even contemplate staying at their sort of van park… In fact the main reason I stay away from the coast, the price and parks that are just too noisy, too crowded ..
20K should be reasonable from a caravan park.
So my pop top with a portable toilet, grey water catchment system, led lights that use batteries, and a gas stove and fridge is self contained and in my understanding is ok to stay a Moruya showground for 5-6 nights, I would still love to only pay $20/night max. As there is no power, amenities etc. when we stay at Moruya we do buy fuel, food and sometimes other shopping so that wont change. The difference for us might come to safety, security and position and not having to use the portable equipment and walking distance of shops, clubs etc.