We certainly are a popular bunch - hey. (Note my NQ accent )
Two gentlemen were interviewed on ABC 'local radio' in NQ yesterday. One was from the Caravan Manufacturer Association and the other from the Caravan Park Association (I am not sure I have their organisations correctly named there - but you get the drift).
Both gentlemen were courteous and extremely informative to listen to. The 'manufacturer' bloke gave quite a good rap to we 'older travellers' insomuch as highlighting the things we encounter on the road that could be addressed to make not only our lives easier, but would also benefit communities. He pointed out how many vans/motorhomes are on the road (and how the number is growing), the standards of fitout and the sort of use 'travellers' give them. Both he and the 'van park' bloke talked about "Road Tourism" and how it is being overlooked by Governments, councils and businesses - and van parks!
The 'van park' bloke obviously highlighted the circumstance for van park owners/operators and agreed that the mining companies have ruined the van parks in many areas. However, as he said, van parks need to make a quid like the rest of us, and housing miners is a lucrative opportunity.
One of the things discussed was the reason there have been less than 10 new van parks in QLD in the past 8 years is due to the cost of establishment. The prime driver of the high establishment costs is legislation/regulations - Federal, State and Local. He stated that the 'ball park figure' to begin calculating the cost of establishing a van park is $40,000 per SITE! - meaning a 20 site park, at minimum, will cost $800,000 to develop - over and above the cost of acquiring the land. The cost of renovation is also becoming quite prohibitive for established parks, unless they have a constant, high occupancy rate. Again, when the van park wants to, for instance, renew an amenities block - they lodge the plans - and then fight their way through the regs etc and keep watching the $$$ cost increase.
I found it a very informative segment and it did open my eyes considerably to the "plight" of the van park owners. Most van park owners (within this Association anyway) have no issue with "overnight low-cost/free camps" outside town boundaries - but not on their doorstep where it does detract from their investment in their park.
In particular, the attitude, and awareness, of the 'van park' bloke to the "plight" of the "older traveller" was refreshing. It would appear that most van parks are keen to attract mugs like us.
Cheers - John
Duh said
08:54 PM Nov 2, 2012
Maybe the message is finally getting through John, agree there is always two sides to the coin.
Ideally, some parks (as some are, but usually the more expensive ones) should be set aside as Tourist Parks only (no permanents) for the caravan/camping sections (cabins excepted) and if the mining companies want extra accomodation for their employees or contractors, then let them build special caravan parks on their mining land or elswhere for their miners who want their own RV accomodation.
One caravan park I stayed at in Port Pirie had two distinct separate sections with their own entries, one for tourists and one for permanents, seemed to work well. I think the ablution block which was sort of in the middle was used by both tourists and permanents from memory.....
brickies said
09:03 PM Nov 2, 2012
Yes the Top of Town caravan park Stanthorpe also has 2 sections one for tourist and one for backpacker who work in the area , Mining company should build their own camps but why would grey nomads want to go to mining towns
jules47 said
09:47 PM Nov 2, 2012
The following is a relevant quote from Gypsy Rover, in another post on this site -
"I am in a CP on the Great Ocean Road at present. When I rang to make a booking the lady informed me that tonight would be $34. A bit more than I was hoping to pay, but my batteries need charging and I need a shower so said I would like to book in for two nights. Imagine the stunned silence when the lady told me tomorrow night would be $72 (this is for one person) and that would be the tariff until after the Cup. I said thanks I would just take the one night at $34 and be on my way tomorrow. When I checked in, it was decided that perhaps they could do the two nights for $34 per night, so I agreed on the two nights. (What the heck, I had just free camped at Lake Colac for 3 nights).
I understand these CP's have to make a living, but surely more than doubling the tariff is a bit over the top.
Cheers!
Chris"
I know caravan park owners have to make a buck - but this is just exploitation in my opinion.
Duh said
10:36 PM Nov 2, 2012
brickies wrote:
Mining company should build their own camps but why would grey nomads want to go to mining towns
Because some mining towns are the only ones between A & B long distances, so not much choice, eg; Pt Hedland, Karratha, etc even Geraldton have mining on the outskirts putting parks under pressure etc for tourists. So if in WA you are travelling from north to south of the state or even along the southern coast there are some towns you have no choice but to stay in unless you can free camp somewhere.
milo said
12:49 AM Nov 3, 2012
I agree with jules about the tarrifs ,I know they have to make money some how but for a single person , that rate you got charged would almost be good for 2 people jules... one night i had a similar situation on the great ocean road, didn't realize some big event was on in town and got charged almost the $100 mark, but i was stuck as had driven all day and didn't feel like going any further and was in my car so paid and went on my way the next day...
I too find they put the price up if singe person too..
gst said
05:30 AM Nov 3, 2012
I've always look for a free camp on my way into a town then if they charge like a wounded bull I turn around and head to the free camp even if its off to the side of the road rather then lower myself and hold up my hands and be robbed.
Gerty Dancer said
03:28 PM Nov 3, 2012
We found a beautiful little caravan park in Qld at Giru south of Townsville, a few years ago. Very cheap, glorious views, clean but old and worn-out amenities, and an elderly owner/manager who just couldnt keep it up any more. He said it was gonna cost 100's of thousands for new amenities and the Gov't or council (whoever rules the roads) wanted $600,000 to put a special "turn left" lane on the highway. Its closed now, sadly. They really have to make a profit in order to stay open, I reckon if we support them in the least busy times, let the rich tourists pay the bigger fees in busy times.
Santa said
05:58 PM Nov 3, 2012
I would have told em to stick it where the sun never shines Jules and moved on.
Gday...
We certainly are a popular bunch - hey. (Note my NQ accent
)
Two gentlemen were interviewed on ABC 'local radio' in NQ yesterday. One was from the Caravan Manufacturer Association and the other from the Caravan Park Association (I am not sure I have their organisations correctly named there - but you get the drift).
Both gentlemen were courteous and extremely informative to listen to. The 'manufacturer' bloke gave quite a good rap to we 'older travellers' insomuch as highlighting the things we encounter on the road that could be addressed to make not only our lives easier, but would also benefit communities. He pointed out how many vans/motorhomes are on the road (and how the number is growing), the standards of fitout and the sort of use 'travellers' give them. Both he and the 'van park' bloke talked about "Road Tourism" and how it is being overlooked by Governments, councils and businesses - and van parks!
The 'van park' bloke obviously highlighted the circumstance for van park owners/operators and agreed that the mining companies have ruined the van parks in many areas. However, as he said, van parks need to make a quid like the rest of us, and housing miners is a lucrative opportunity.
One of the things discussed was the reason there have been less than 10 new van parks in QLD in the past 8 years is due to the cost of establishment. The prime driver of the high establishment costs is legislation/regulations - Federal, State and Local. He stated that the 'ball park figure' to begin calculating the cost of establishing a van park is $40,000 per SITE! - meaning a 20 site park, at minimum, will cost $800,000 to develop - over and above the cost of acquiring the land. The cost of renovation is also becoming quite prohibitive for established parks, unless they have a constant, high occupancy rate. Again, when the van park wants to, for instance, renew an amenities block - they lodge the plans - and then fight their way through the regs etc and keep watching the $$$ cost increase.
I found it a very informative segment and it did open my eyes considerably to the "plight" of the van park owners. Most van park owners (within this Association anyway) have no issue with "overnight low-cost/free camps" outside town boundaries - but not on their doorstep where it does detract from their investment in their park.
In particular, the attitude, and awareness, of the 'van park' bloke to the "plight" of the "older traveller" was refreshing. It would appear that most van parks are keen to attract mugs like us.
Cheers - John
Maybe the message is finally getting through John, agree there is always two sides to the coin.
Ideally, some parks (as some are, but usually the more expensive ones) should be set aside as Tourist Parks only (no permanents) for the caravan/camping sections (cabins excepted) and if the mining companies want extra accomodation for their employees or contractors, then let them build special caravan parks on their mining land or elswhere for their miners who want their own RV accomodation.
One caravan park I stayed at in Port Pirie had two distinct separate sections with their own entries, one for tourists and one for permanents, seemed to work well. I think the ablution block which was sort of in the middle was used by both tourists and permanents from memory.....
The following is a relevant quote from Gypsy Rover, in another post on this site -
"I am in a CP on the Great Ocean Road at present. When I rang to make a booking the lady informed me that tonight would be $34. A bit more than I was hoping to pay, but my batteries need charging and I need a shower so said I would like to book in for two nights. Imagine the stunned silence when the lady told me tomorrow night would be $72 (this is for one person) and that would be the tariff until after the Cup. I said thanks I would just take the one night at $34 and be on my way tomorrow. When I checked in, it was decided that perhaps they could do the two nights for $34 per night, so I agreed on the two nights. (What the heck, I had just free camped at Lake Colac for 3 nights).
I understand these CP's have to make a living, but surely more than doubling the tariff is a bit over the top.
Cheers!
Chris"
I know caravan park owners have to make a buck - but this is just exploitation in my opinion.
Because some mining towns are the only ones between A & B long distances, so not much choice, eg; Pt Hedland, Karratha, etc even Geraldton have mining on the outskirts putting parks under pressure etc for tourists. So if in WA you are travelling from north to south of the state or even along the southern coast there are some towns you have no choice but to stay in unless you can free camp somewhere.
but for a single person , that rate you got charged would almost be good for 2 people jules...
one night i had a similar situation on the great ocean road, didn't realize some big event was on in town
and got charged almost the $100 mark, but i was stuck as had driven all day and didn't feel like going any further and was in my car
so paid and went on my way the next day...
I too find they put the price up if singe person too..
Its closed now, sadly. They really have to make a profit in order to stay open, I reckon if we support them in the least busy times, let the rich tourists pay the bigger fees in busy times.
I would have told em to stick it where the sun never shines Jules and moved on.