Grey Nomads featured on ABC Local QLD radio this morning following on from their appearance yesterday afternoon. Once again, CMCA (Ken Kipping "a proud North QLDer") was interviewed to put forward the views of their members at the rally at Boonah.
Apparently Cairns has developed a "bad name" with CMCA members. The main opinion of "Grey Nomads" is that there appears to be a "caravan park lobby" that is trying to force GNs into van parks. The Cairns area has the reputation of not wanting, and not encouraging, Grey Nomads in their area.
CMCA members (?) saying again how GNs bring considerable money to local economies and that Cairns council need to make a statement - either they want RVers or they do not.
Apparently, a "touring organisation" (he did not name them) are buying 10,000 GPS and are pre-loading them with the RV friendly towns, with medical, pharmacy, food, tourist attractions, free camps or RV friendly van parks, and distributing them to their members. This is so 'RV friendly' places can be promoted and attract travellers. It was not stated how these were to be distributed, but I think they would be 'sold' to 'members'.
I got the impression that the CMCA members at the Boonah rally have voiced the opinion that, especially during the 'tourist season', the Cairns area is so busy and crowded that van parks, and the council, don't see why they need to encourage GNs.
Once again, and maybe I am biased, but the position being put forward by the CMCA 'representative', whilst quite probably airing the opinion of their CMCA members, does sound like a bunch of people who have a misplaced idea of their own importance and are whinging that they are not getting 'the proper attention'.
I guess the position being pushed by CMCA is the result of what their members, and other 'older travellers', have experienced over the years. The interview gave the impression that the feeling is now to actively push the 'economic value' of GNs - perhaps they will have a procession of motorhomes/caravans with signs imploring - "what do we want, when do we want it".
Whilst CMCA obviously has a huge, and growing, membership are they in a position to be representing GNs generally? Do we, the non-members, want them to do this in our name? I am of lesser ilk and cannot be a CMCA voting member ... I only have a - gasp - caravan .
I would like to hear from any CMCA members within our throng who attended the Boonah rally - and obviously any other GN Forum member.
cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Good post there John - myself - I like the friendliness of "independent" camping - something that has been lost in caravan parks over the years - I don't want to go to a "resort" - all we need is availability of water and power - not necessarily on my site, and also a reasonable price. Friends have a CP, and we were talking to them re this issue - they have the idea that maybe "user pays" might be the way to go - a small cost to use the park, and maybe a swipe card to use water or power, no bells or whistles, just clean amenities, and a tidy park.
There is a new park going to open in Charleville - Charleville Bush Camp - and I believe this is how he will be operating, small fee to stay, and user pays for power and water.
Have seen some people at "free camps" hook up to the tap that is provided for use by all campers, and stay hooked up till they leave, ok, there were other taps around, but to me this is selfish, and inconsiderate.
Would like to be a fly on the wall at some of the CMCA meetings.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
The Grey Nomad - and general camper/motorhome - "Market" is very diverse. Most people I've met are happy to use caravan parks from time to time, as it suits them BUT they also rely on the ability to free camp to be able to afford to travel. The successful caravan parks are those who have done their marketing and cater to it: Those who think the more they invest the more they can charge and thus increase their profits need to gain a bit more business nous. If I were forced to stay in caravan parks all the time, I could not afford the extensive travels I undertake. Stats from a recent trip show that 87% of accommodation costs were spent for 39% of the nights in caravan parks while 13% of accommodation costs was spent for 29% of time in National Parks. The remaining 32% of the time was free camping. I am certainly grateful for the low cost and free camps available and am happy to pay a reasonable cost for services. So this, for what it is worth, is my opinion. Cheers, Anton
You used to be able to stay at the Cairns showgrounds but when I was there earlier this year they told me they had applied to the council to have their 'camping' permit renewed but the council was stalling them
Cmca has a caravan park at there big set up at Casino , it was a surprise to see what fees they charge there when they complain about how dear caravan park fees are . I would have thought it would be a free camp .
I don't know that CMCA own it, they have shares I think, not sure the exact setup. It is now Big 4 Casino village.
-- Edited by jetj on Wednesday 17th of October 2012 10:03:26 PM
If you are running a business and want to be successful you first must identify who you want to attract has you client . Last September we went to Palm Cove just north of Cairns We were there in our caravan for a wedding were shop at Coles up the road prepared our own meals in the caravan . But the young one that had come for the wedding stayed in hotels and very nice units and eat out all the time has well has visiting the many nights spots . So if you were running a business who would you like for a client , the reason why there is fewer caravan sites is these places do not need us we don't spend enough , If grey nomads want cheap camp we must find other places to go to like Blackall or Greens Lake if you want to stay in a resort town you must pay resort prices , But at my age I don't want to stay in a resort town but our kids do and they don't want to go to Greens lake. The whole thing is supply and demand the western town want us to boost there economy , But the coastal towns see us has holding back there economy because we don't spend like our kids and go to bed to early . So don't start a fight you can't win and be happy with the free camp which are available to us and if you want to go to a tourist town pay the money
While the CMCA have done a good job in promoting the interests of motorhomers that also benefit caravanners I won't join an organisation that treats me and other caravan/camper trailer owners as second class citizens in refusing us full membership. They want our money but not our say.
Regarding free/cheap camping in Cairns, that is an unrealistic ask in a major regional city of over 120,000 people, especially in the inner areas where open space is in demand for for many other activities. Higher value tourists are worth much more to the local economy and they don't demand free or subsidised accommodation. If local showgrounds in these places wish to provide camping facilities to the public it is only reasonable that they be bound to comply with the same requirements as private park owners.
I see no problem with caravan park owners lobbying councils for a fair deal and and a level playing field. They have a valid case in objecting to councils who collect many tens of thousands of dollars in rates each year (I've seen a rate bill for one of the parks in Nth Qld) from each of the owners and then set up in subsidised or free opposition to them.
I'm in favour of the concept of free camping for a night or two in roadside rest areas and in towns were caravan park facilities are limited or non-existent. It does seem however that some of our fellow grey nomads have yet to learn that in life we have to pay our way and that having paid our taxes (as has everyone else) does not give us a right to claim an entitlement to our every wish.
Cmca has a caravan park at there big set up at Casino , it was a surprise to see what fees they charge there when they complain about how dear caravan park fees are . I would have thought it would be a free camp .
that also benefit caravanners I won't join an organisation that treats me and other caravan/camper trailer owners as second class citizens in refusing us full membership. They want our money but not our say.
The CMCA is not a caravan club,,,why would people describe themselves as second class citizens because they can only be associate members of cmca,,,, and they agree they recieve benefits from the cmca but will not join/pay to recieve those benefits,,,, that way of thinking dont add up to me
-- Edited by turbopete on Thursday 18th of October 2012 08:58:28 AM
The Campervan Motorhome Club is just that. Join if you want to enjoy the benefits. I don't believe that anyone would refer to a Caravanner as second class. It's a choice.
We are happy to be associate members of CMCA the magazine alone is worth the membership fee then again we have access to other benefits. We rarely free camp but I am happy that CMCA is lobbing on its members behalf for more facilities to be provided by towns and cities that we visit it, certainly wont cause any harm to all the GN's travelling around our great country. As for younger visitors spending more than GN's, I doubt that is the case as when they stay in a city or town their visit is only fleeting and the dollars spent by GN's would have a far greater impact on the tourism industry in many towns, because of the length of time spent by GN's in each town. Any tourism business that ignores the power of the GN dollar will in the years ahead find that they are having great trouble staying afloat, as the spending power of the greying baby boomers will far surpass the younger generation and they can ignore the needs of GN's at their peril. Cheers David
Well the tourist imformation people have told me and have seen it in print soon has an entry fee is mentioned the grey nomads loses intrest . There a lot of grey nomads who have to fridges so they can cart has much food from home buy little food in small towns who offer free camping to grey nomads . this might not be same when there are ralleys when everybody party and trying to convince town how important they are to them . Available my kids have 4 times the spending power of us and they spend , Places like Cairns would rather have my kids visit than us old farts
I am a bit concerned that at a certain point, with this lobbying to provide facilities for cheap/free camping, that all gey nomads, not just motor-homers, are going to be thought of as a bunch of complainers who want a lot and spend little. Regardless of those of us who really do spend money in the area we stay.
My biggest fear is that irresponsible people with no regard for the environment or facilities provided will spoilt it for everyone no matter what lobbying takes place. I doesn't matter what form of motorhome, campervan, caravan or tent you use.
I am a bit concerned that at a certain point, with this lobbying to provide facilities for cheap/free camping, that all grey nomads, not just motor-homers, are going to be thought of as a bunch of complainers who want a lot and spend little. Regardless of those of us who really do spend money in the area we stay.
Gday...
I have purposely refrained from commenting on my original post. However, I do feel your comments Gerty are what may be misconstrued by councils and other 'powers that be'.
I do try to examine my opinion regarding bias and, like all of us, I am sure that irrespective of my best efforts, I will have some bias.
Despite that, and I can only go on the impression I gained listening to the report on the radio, I do feel that the 'disinterested observer' (eg non-GNs) could easily arrive at the opinion that "these oldies" choose to wander around, insist they spend considerable amounts of money in areas and they insist on dictating what should or should not be available - and appear unwilling to want to pay very much for the service.
My opinion, and comment, is not deriding the CMCA or its members in anyway - just expressing my personal observation gained from listening to "our case" being presented through a wide-ranging media.
Cheers - John
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
My biggest fear is that irresponsible people with no regard for the environment or facilities provided will spoilt it for everyone no matter what lobbying takes place. I doesn't matter what form of motorhome, campervan, caravan or tent you use.
I
Irresponsible people are trashing facilities now,,,,same as graffiti artists trash walls,,and those people are minorities , ,but i would bet that people who subscribe to groups like us,and the cmca and the caravanners forum and the multitude of other groups who advocate a positive attitude to the camp facilities dont trash in fact many pick up after the trashers
The people who stop in a caravan park that I was stoping in had those nice blue CMCA badges on there motor homes that left very early in the morning taking all the toilet paper and hand wash soap from the male and female toilets , The owner of the caravan park said it happen a lot come in for the day to do there washing and leave early with the toilet paper and soap to use at there free camp. A motor home came into the caravan park to dump there waste has they seen a sign to say the park had a dump point and it was there right to use it .
Yes, that's the sort of stuff I'm referring to as well as peeing on the outside walls of toilets. I know people are cleaning up the mess left by others as well Turbopete.
i agree with the above comment if you like it join if not dont my husband loves there book the wander and this would cost more than 44.00 a year to buy the same in a newsagent
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