This morning I had a meeting with a local Labour {would be} Federal Rep. The meeting was in no way connected to C/parks etc, but was concerning the Iconic Pier here in the bay, but soon the conversation turned to c/parks. The "would be" was bad mouthing free camping sites...the taking away of monies spent in this area...blarhblarh. I listened for awhile, then said to him... Well, I couldn't help myself... Told him I love the Bay , but ,if the local council would start doing the right thing by GN's.. recognise the amount of monies they generate to a region, cater to their needs, put in a dump site for a start, maybe just maybe, some of their $$$$$$ would be spent in this region!!! there is a grey water dump point in Maryborough{QLD}, hidden away behind the airport, but Hervey Bay had "Bugger All". Told him a small Town like Windora, population approx 200, could, and did cater to the GN's..surely Hervey Bay could pick their act up. After he closed his mouth, he then asked me for another 9 idea's.... I told him, lets see how he goes with this one first!!!!! Time they recognised there is a whole generation of us "out there".
You're to be commended for putting the case for GNs to him
Suggest sending him an email or letter backing up your assertions, that way it's on record and he can't just pretend the whole conversation never happened. Phrase it with a view to changing his attitude/opinion and getting him "on side" rather than antagonising him. Express disappointment rather than anger at his attitude.
It will also put him in a position where he'll have to reply, even if the reply is full of spin. (spin.... you know what that is, you've seen it lying on the ground on cattle properties)
Good on you DellieMay ;pity more of us don't have the chance to speak up like that not very often it happens great work. I agree wholeheartedly with what Jim said I used to work for the government and a conversation was often forgotten but if you put it in writing they have to table and also answer it did where I worked anyway. Helena,
Yup,we sure do have some forward thinking 'people' in The Fraser Coast Council.NOT
There is a free paper in the Bay called The Independant.A couple of issues ago after some discussion about a small town called Bauple just off the Bruce Highway setting up a free site to attract the very GN Tourist dollar.The local caravn park and tourist mob decided that the GN free camping would take money out of their pockets.
The president of the CMCA sent in a letter to the Independant detailing the advantages of the Grey Nomad visiting the area.
Average spend was around $580 per week and if, as the locals say there is a lot to spend their dollar on, from Fraser Island to Whalewatching and all the rest the area has to offer surely the Grey Nomad should be catered to.
Now I see on the news the local council and tourist operators are off round the country on a junket to attract more tourists to the Fraser Coast.
Are they blind or just stupid?
The whole caravan/motorhome world is expanding at a great rate(Govt and Industry ) figures.
Tourism for who?
Don't they want the caravan /motorhomes dollars.
All I can say is that it is a head in the sand attitude and will not attract tourists to the Fraser Coast.
Give people the infrastructure and they will come.
Many residents of coastal tourist locations can be quite anti-tourist, especially "sea-changers" and many retirees. Also some small thinking business operators can be negative towards increased economic activity as they see it bringing competition rather than opportunity.
-- Edited by jimricho on Thursday 5th of May 2011 05:45:55 PM
We'll just see how our local "Jo Blow" handles this. I believe he'll run with it. No chance of him forgetting the conversation.... he wants more from me than I do of him!! The fact is ... I believe we, as GN's do deserve the recognition,{if that's the right word}, of generating massive income into any region.Paticually this region.... the whales are wonderful, but are now "stale". They were and are, the only thing promoted in "the Bay". Nothing new since 1988. The council own the major c/ps here and really overcharge...no consideration, or forward thinking, for anyone of retirement age, or living on a pension, or budget... Any other suggestions out there? I might as well throw some more at him while the going is good. Just love biting ankles...LOL. Cheers Dellie
We'll just see how our local "Jo Blow" handles this. I believe he'll run with it. No chance of him forgetting the conversation.... he wants more from me than I do of him!! The fact is ... I believe we, as GN's do deserve the recognition,{if that's the right word}, of generating massive income into any region.Paticually this region.... the whales are wonderful, but are now "stale". They were and are, the only thing promoted in "the Bay". Nothing new since 1988. The council own the major c/ps here and really overcharge...no consideration, or forward thinking, for anyone of retirement age, or living on a pension, or budget... Any other suggestions out there? I might as well throw some more at him while the going is good. Just love biting ankles...LOL. Cheers Dellie
I repeat my earlier suggestion that the aim should be to get him (and others) on side, not to antagonise him. "Biting ankles" will only confirm his attitude, not change it, that's just basic human nature.
Also be realistic, It's quite unrealistic to expect freebie campsites to be available on the beachfront or on prime real estate. Likewise to allowing "open slather" camping anywhere one likes in a residential or business area.
-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 6th of May 2011 06:22:24 AM
