Gympie Regional Council in Queensland has almost unanimously adopted a long-planned RV strategy in a bid to capitalise on the booming grey nomad market.
The strategy focuses solely on low-cost and free 72-hour RV sites on council-owned or controlled land. It has been in development for three years following a long consultation process.
Planning and Sustainability portfolio holder, Councillor Shane Waldock, said that – while it has been a long time coming – it had been important to get the strategy right.
“The RV Strategy is not only about providing spaces for travellers to stop over,” he said. “It’s also about showcasing our region’s diversity and encouraging visitation in key areas,” he said.
Mr Waldock said the initiative had economic implications for the entire area, so getting it right was important.
“We sought feedback from RV travellers, commercial operators, government and industry representatives, as well as the wider community,” he said.
The Courier Mail reports that about half of the 68 submissions sent to the council about the strategy in the latest round of consultation came from residents of the Mary Valley town of Kandanga.
Of those responses, councillors were told there was a ‘50-50’ split for and against what was being proposed by the council, and a proposed second RV site in the town drew more criticism than support.
Given the mixed feedback the council deferred adopting any new RV strategy in Kandanga until the region’s new planning scheme is rolled out.
Plans to build an RV site at Carters Ridge were also quashed due to overhanging trees, limited space and fears that it would potentially block access to the Ridgewood Rural Fire Brigade Shed.
Under the adopted RV strategy, the Courier Mail reports that 11 sites in total will be established across the region.
Several of the sites are already operating; new ones are earmarked for the Gympie Showgrounds, Amamoor, Gunalda, Kilkivan, and Tin Can Bay.
Most sites are intended to host no more than 15 RVs.
However, the paper says that the Gympie Showgrounds has been flagged as the future home to an RV park capable of hosting up to 25 vans.
The Courier Mail reports that Dan Stewart was the only councillor to vote against adopting the strategy on ‘philosophical’ grounds.
“People should pay their share,” Mr Stewart said. “Why should businesses who invest millions of dollars be disadvantaged by people who are trying to get something for free?”
I’d say Dan Stewart really doesn’t understand economics or hasn’t taken the time to case study other towns and shires who have adopted RV friendly strategies and found that there is a great many good outcomes in doing so. In fact some regional areas have now gained a second breath of prosperity because of the people and money that it brings into an area
Small minded Dan Stewart what about the economic benefits the ‘Grey nomads’ contribute to each town that has free/low cost camping
Being a motorhome owner for the last 10 years ….when free/low cost camping is available for 2/3 night stay close to a town ….it is known that the average spend in a town is $200-$$300 …..Thanks Gympie Council for this consideration
There is no disadvantage. If a town is welcoming then we go out of our way to have a good look around, buy a coffee and snack, top up on groceries and fuel up. In the south west of Australia on our last holiday we were blown away by how welcoming the small inland towns were. Signs saying This is an RV friendly town and clear signage to free parking. Often its the local show grounds. We so appreciated the welcome plus the care and attention to detail in some towns. Amazing. Thankyou.
It’s good to see councils considering low cost camping options for grey nomads and others. What we need is clean basic facilities but don’t need all the extras. For ourselves, we are quite happy to pay a reasonable fee which could then go towards helping the local community.
Councillor Dan Stewart is a complete idiot..!!
Does Mr Stewart take into consideration the amount of money the travellers spend in the town , groceries, meals at cafes, restaurants and pubs. Or should they, with their money, continue on to the next town who make them feel welcome.
Good on you Gympie! Can’t wait to spend time in the area. My husband ‘s great aunts were timber getters 100 years ago. We are looking forward to be able explore the region.
I take it he’s referring to caravan park owners, the same group that doesn’t mind putting in cabins thereby potentially taking money from motel owners
does MR stewart own a caravan park. small minded
Somebody should tell him about Ravenshoe QLD. They love the grey nomads with cheap van sites
Whilst not spending $ on a caravan park we would be spending those $ on other activities i.e. we stopped at Maryborough at a 48hr FREE council run park in the middle of town and spent well over $250.00 in town on various activities. We enjoyed our time there immensley and will go back plus encourage others to do the same.
We cant thank Maryborough enough for their hospitality. We will definately be back to spend more $ there.
Grey Nomads are the little army keeping rural towms alive. With out the ‘Greys’ what would these small towns do?
Most free campers ensure they support local business, not all but most. They shop, dine, top up fuel.etc all helping small towns Try to see this as a win win
The idea of Gympie showground camping is a very good idea. We stay in a lot of places with showground camping, as we are a van& towing vehicle plus a 8×5 Pantech trailer & tow vehicle, too big for majority of caravan parks. We would love to stop at Gympie showground. We normally pay $25- $28 per night, & if able we stay at least a week to thoroughly enjoy the surrounds & spend money into these communities that make us feel welcome.
Wonderful that these towns are thinking ahead! We stayed at Murgon for a few nights, spent $150 plus coffee in a cute little shop to meet some locals. I do think though, that 48 hours is not long enough to explore the area. By the time I drive to a camp spot and set up, I have no energy to go out and look around, therefore I’m rushing around like a blue horse fly the next day, sightseeing and shopping, only to go back to camp and pack up ready for the trip the next day, and exhausted!!! All we ask is for 72 hours to rest up.
It is about time the council got on board & realised the financial benefit grey nomads provide to an area. We have such a beautiful shire, we need to capitalise on it & get the nomads & tourists in general back.
Dan Stewart shoud go and check out a town in western Qld called Mitchell. The town was just about dead, they opened an old caravan park on the edge of town where you were given 2 nights for free. So much money was spent in town businesses reopened, streets were landscaped, new businesses built. The part of this tale that really annoys me is that the council then leased the previously free caravan park which is a kick in the guts to all the travellers who helped save the town. People like Dan have no idea and he should move and get into the Geelong or Cairns councils as he would be right at home there.