Just saw a post, I think it was here re. Inverell showground, the council has closed it to camping due to a complaint from a caravan park. It doesn't matter that caravan parks are taking business from motels by putting in cabins, they can compete with motels and don't expect them to object BUT dont dare compete with caravan parks as they consider themselves a protected species.
I just shot off a heated email to Inverell council, I suggest that as many of us here do the same thing and maybe they will come to their senses.
-- Edited by goinsoon on Friday 30th of September 2011 10:06:08 PM
Boroma577 said
10:04 PM Sep 30, 2011
I agree, the whole CP thing is just plain crazy.
Are the taxi companies going to complain because we ride on the bus or is the bus company going to complain because we drive our selves to the destination??
They are just plain nuts and I doubt they'll ever understand that they can't lose something they never had in the first instance.
jimricho said
07:09 AM Oct 1, 2011
I believe in a "level playing field". If councils, showground trusts, etc charge a fee commensurate with the facilities they provide (often fairly basic) then it's up to the private caravan parks to compete.
However where they provide unduly cheap or free sites it's grossly unfair to the parks as they are hit with significant rates, land taxes, and other government charges as well as having to comply with many regulations. If councils slug the private parks then provide what is in effect subsidised sites at a showground or similar, this is not what I would consider fair play. (I was recently shown a rate notice by a caravan park owner (not in Inverell) and I was staggered by the amount.)
I have stayed at the Inverell Caravan Park (the one closest to the town CBD) and found it be an excellent park with very reasonable rates including a discounted rate for solos. This used to be a council owned and operated park and it's my understanding that this is now leased from the council so they for one would have very real reason to complain.
The taxi analogy above is a specious one and quite irrelevant as taxis provide a very different service to public transport.
Ma said
07:32 AM Oct 1, 2011
We still do have the freedom of choice in this country but some powers that be seem to think that they can do our thinking for us and "force" (for lack of a better word) us into doing and staying where they say
Father Ted said
08:09 AM Oct 1, 2011
There is no such thing as a level playing field when we are dealing with peoples money.It is our given right to seek out the cheapest and most affordable accomodation when we are on the road.The caravan parks are slowly strangling the tourist.The only losers in the Inverell saga are the local business people.I wonder do the Caravan Park owners think about other traders.I doubt it.
Firefly said
08:20 AM Oct 1, 2011
I never thought about the caravan park/motel aspect but I have to agree with that.
We all have the right to make a living, thats a given. At the same time, we have the right to save a dollar. After all, isn't that what the government is always asking us to do?
jimricho said
08:38 AM Oct 1, 2011
goinsoon wrote:
Just saw a post, I think it was here re. Inverell showground, the council has closed it to camping due to a complaint from a caravan park. It doesn't matter that caravan parks are taking business from motels by putting in cabins, they can compete with motels and don't expect them to object BUT dont dare compete with caravan parks as they consider themselves a protected species.
I just shot off a heated email to Inverell council, I suggest that as many of us here do the same thing and maybe they will come to their senses.
-- Edited by goinsoon on Friday 30th of September 2011 10:06:08 PM
May I suggest that a written letter (good ol'fashion "snail mail") will carry more weight as it then has to be dealt with by council or their delegated officials. A letter or email to The Inverell Times will also make the matter public.
I also suggest that "measured" arguments containing valid facts and data presented in a logical form will advance the case much better than a "heated" email.
I'm unaware of the contents of your email so I don't know whether this applies here, but in more general terms communications that contain emotive and/or perjorative language will usually lead to them being treated with the comtempt they deserve.
Benwerrin said
10:42 AM Oct 1, 2011
jimricho wrote:
I believe in a "level playing field". If councils, showground trusts, etc charge a fee commensurate with the facilities they provide (often fairly basic) then it's up to the private caravan parks to compete.
However where they provide unduly cheap or free sites it's grossly unfair to the parks as they are hit with significant rates, land taxes, and other government charges as well as having to comply with many regulations. If councils slug the private parks then provide what is in effect subsidised sites at a showground or similar, this is not what I would consider fair play. (I was recently shown a rate notice by a caravan park owner (not in Inverell) and I was staggered by the amount.)
I have stayed at the Inverell Caravan Park (the one closest to the town CBD) and found it be an excellent park with very reasonable rates including a discounted rate for solos. This used to be a council owned and operated park and it's my understanding that this is now leased from the council so they for one would have very real reason to complain.
The taxi analogy above is a specious one and quite irrelevant as taxis provide a very different service to public transport.
Possibly right with some of that Jim, but that doesn't address the correlation betwee Motels and C/P cabins (which are becoming dominant).
If Parks are going to complain they better addres both issues and look in their own backyard before laying landmines in their allies territories.
jimricho said
06:08 PM Oct 1, 2011
The following is a cut and paste from the minutes of the meeting of the Inverell Shire Council on 23/08/2011......
1. CARAVAN PARK SERVICES 26.4.12 That the Inverell Showground Trust be advised that: a) The Caravan Park operations at the Showground does not have the necessary approvals to operate and that the Trust is required to submit the necessary applications to obtain Development Approval and Section 68 Local Government Act Approval; and
b) The Trust has 30 days to cease Caravan Park operations at the Showground, until such time as the necessary approvals are obtained and any conditions attached to the approvals are completed.
(end)
It appears from this that the Showground Trust, as the operator of the showground, is the provider of the Caravan Park, not the council, and that the Trust is required to comply with the relevant regulations and laws as is any private operator and that the closure is due to non-compliance with these regulations.
It is now the responsibility of the Showground Trust to carry out the necessary steps to comply or to decide not to continue to provide caravan park facilities.
I would suggest that any communication on this matter should be directed to the Showground Trust and not the council.
It should be pointed out that in these circumstances that the council would be legally required to take the action it did on the receipt of a complaint.
goinsoon said
07:53 PM Oct 1, 2011
jimricho wrote:
goinsoon wrote:
Just saw a post, I think it was here re. Inverell showground, the council has closed it to camping due to a complaint from a caravan park. It doesn't matter that caravan parks are taking business from motels by putting in cabins, they can compete with motels and don't expect them to object BUT dont dare compete with caravan parks as they consider themselves a protected species.
I just shot off a heated email to Inverell council, I suggest that as many of us here do the same thing and maybe they will come to their senses.
-- Edited by goinsoon on Friday 30th of September 2011 10:06:08 PM
May I suggest that a written letter (good ol'fashion "snail mail") will carry more weight as it then has to be dealt with by council or their delegated officials. A letter or email to The Inverell Times will also make the matter public.
I also suggest that "measured" arguments containing valid facts and data presented in a logical form will advance the case much better than a "heated" email.
I'm unaware of the contents of your email so I don't know whether this applies here, but in more general terms communications that contain emotive and/or perjorative language will usually lead to them being treated with the comtempt they deserve.
You nailed it in one - You do not know the content of my email or the extent of the details in it, so your comments are not necessary
Just saw a post, I think it was here re. Inverell showground, the council has closed it to camping due to a complaint from a caravan park. It doesn't matter that caravan parks are taking business from motels by putting in cabins, they can compete with motels and don't expect them to object BUT dont dare compete with caravan parks as they consider themselves a protected species.
I just shot off a heated email to Inverell council, I suggest that as many of us here do the same thing and maybe they will come to their senses.
-- Edited by goinsoon on Friday 30th of September 2011 10:06:08 PM
I agree, the whole CP thing is just plain crazy.
Are the taxi companies going to complain because we ride on the bus or is the bus company going to complain because we drive our selves to the destination??
They are just plain nuts and I doubt they'll ever understand that they can't lose something they never had in the first instance.
However where they provide unduly cheap or free sites it's grossly unfair to the parks as they are hit with significant rates, land taxes, and other government charges as well as having to comply with many regulations. If councils slug the private parks then provide what is in effect subsidised sites at a showground or similar, this is not what I would consider fair play. (I was recently shown a rate notice by a caravan park owner (not in Inverell) and I was staggered by the amount.)
I have stayed at the Inverell Caravan Park (the one closest to the town CBD) and found it be an excellent park with very reasonable rates including a discounted rate for solos. This used to be a council owned and operated park and it's my understanding that this is now leased from the council so they for one would have very real reason to complain.
The taxi analogy above is a specious one and quite irrelevant as taxis provide a very different service to public transport.
We still do have the freedom of choice in this country but some powers that be seem to think that they can do our thinking for us and "force" (for lack of a better word) us into doing and staying where they say
There is no such thing as a level playing field when we are dealing with peoples money.It is our given right to seek out the cheapest and most affordable accomodation when we are on the road.The caravan parks are slowly strangling the tourist.The only losers in the Inverell saga are the local business people.I wonder do the Caravan Park owners think about other traders.I doubt it.
I never thought about the caravan park/motel aspect but I have to agree with that.
We all have the right to make a living, thats a given. At the same time, we have the right to save a dollar. After all, isn't that what the government is always asking us to do?
May I suggest that a written letter (good ol'fashion "snail mail") will carry more weight as it then has to be dealt with by council or their delegated officials. A letter or email to The Inverell Times will also make the matter public.
I also suggest that "measured" arguments containing valid facts and data presented in a logical form will advance the case much better than a "heated" email.
I'm unaware of the contents of your email so I don't know whether this applies here, but in more general terms communications that contain emotive and/or perjorative language will usually lead to them being treated with the comtempt they deserve.
1. CARAVAN PARK SERVICES 26.4.12
That the Inverell Showground Trust be advised that:
a) The Caravan Park operations at the Showground does not have the necessary
approvals to operate and that the Trust is required to submit the necessary
applications to obtain Development Approval and Section 68 Local Government
Act Approval; and
b) The Trust has 30 days to cease Caravan Park operations at the Showground,
until such time as the necessary approvals are obtained and any conditions
attached to the approvals are completed.
(end)
It appears from this that the Showground Trust, as the operator of the showground, is the provider of the Caravan Park, not the council, and that the Trust is required to comply with the relevant regulations and laws as is any private operator and that the closure is due to non-compliance with these regulations.
It is now the responsibility of the Showground Trust to carry out the necessary steps to comply or to decide not to continue to provide caravan park facilities.
I would suggest that any communication on this matter should be directed to the Showground Trust and not the council.
It should be pointed out that in these circumstances that the council would be legally required to take the action it did on the receipt of a complaint.
You nailed it in one - You do not know the content of my email or the extent of the details in it, so your comments are not necessary