'Quite a surprise to us'

Kedron Caravans hopping
mad over Chinese copycats

By Dennis Amor

ONE of Australia's most reputable caravan manufacturers is hopping mad after discovering that a copycat Chinese company is using its brand name. Brisbane's three-generation-run Kedron Caravans, which was founded nearly 60 years ago by Barry Gall, has accused the manufacturer, believed to be in Shandong, of "piggybacking off a great name" and is now in a legal tussle to protect its well known identity. Its Brendale factory produces some of the toughest RVs in the world, while its sales yard on Gympie Road at Kedron claims to be the longest established caravan centre in Australia. Commenting on its Facebook site, the company said the issue "was quite a surprise to us when we first heard". Photo: A Kedron-named caravan being offered for USD23,900 on a Chinese site Have your say

Levy 'ripping millions from seniors'

LNP PLEDGE TO AXE 'GREY NOMAD TAX'

Ms Frecklington (centre) at the Explorer Motorhome factory

By Dennis Amor

QUEENSLAND'S LNP leader Deb Frecklington has promised to scrap what she calls a "heartless" tax on grey nomads.

She made the announcement while on the election campaign trail which saw her touring the Explorer Motorhomes factory at Redcliffe north of Brisbane.

She said that axing the tax would save Queensland buyers an average of $2300 in duty on a second-hand motorhome sold for $110,000.

With the average cost of a new motorhome or campervan being $140,000, it would save buyers of new vehicles an average of $2800 in tax per sale.

Ms Frecklington said that ditching the tax would not only save seniors money, but also encourage more drive-tourism in the Sunshine State and support local manufacturing jobs.

"The grey nomad tax was announced two days before the last election and it's ripping millions of dollars off retirees every year," she said.

"Queenslanders who have worked hard for their whole lives should not be slugged with extra taxes. I want seniors to buy more Queensland-made campervans and explore our great state."

Explorer Motorhomes' Shelley Riding told Caravanning News that Ms Frecklington's announcement to scrap the tax was "very good news for our industry".

"The removal of this tax will make it fair and reasonable for all grey nomads," she said. "This will save our customers thousands of dollars on new and used motorhomes."

She explained that motorhomes and campervans were exempt from the Federal Government luxury tax, but this was overturned in 2018 by the Palaszczuk government.

"An additional 2 percent of dutiable value was added to vehicles worth more than $100,000, weighed less than 4.5 tonnes and that could be driven on a standard licence," Ms Riding said.

"This tax applied to new and used vehicles, but caravans and trailers were exempt. We believed this was an unfair tax on our small section of the industry." Have your say

'Time for more structured agreement'

'Specialist managers' take over Coraki Riverside caravan park

AFTER being managed by several publicans, Richmond Valley Council’s highly-regarded Coraki Riverside Caravan Park and Camping Grounds in NSW is now in the hands of "specialist managers". Tuckurimba residents Peter and Maureen Baker, who have a strong track record in motel and caravan park management, recently took over the reins after a competitive expressions of interest process earlier this year. According to council general manager Vaughan Macdonald, holidaymakers and residents will benefit. "The Coraki Riverside Caravan Park has been managed by three different Coraki publicans over the past five years and it was time to put in place a more structured agreement to ensure its long-term sustainability," he said.

'We must comply with current restrictions'

COVID virus puts an end to this year's Bendigo Leisurefest

CARAVAN Industry Victoria has confirmed the cancellation of next month's Bendigo Leisurefest. "We must comply with the current Victorian Government restrictions to keep everyone safe, no matter the effect it has on consumers, business and livelihoods," chief executive Rob Lucas said. "There are obligations for us, including the need to provide as much advance notice as possible to members and exhibitors on such a decision." His association would continue to lobby the Victorian Government to ease restrictions for outdoor caravan and camping shows. It was important to allow the association, members and exhibitors to operate in a COVID-safe manner, ensuring that businesses in the industry could showcase and sell their products. The industry was seeing strong sales and inquiries which Mr Lucas described as "fantastic". "The challenge now for the industry to keep up with inquiries and meeting demand due to the restrictions and requirements for businesses to operate. Even with COVID-safe plans, there are significant challenges to get business back to full capacity." Have your say

FLASHBACK: The area where Simone's campervan was sited and the spot a few hundred metres away where her body was found. Photos: Caravanning News (2005) Million dollars on head of Simone's killer By Dennis Amor A MILLION-dollar price has been put on the head of the killer of German backpacker Simone Strobel (pictured) at a NSW caravan park. The State Government is offering the reward for information leading to the conviction of the person who mercilessly suffocated the fun-loving traveller at the Lismore Tourist and Caravan Park in February 2005. The Bavarian kindergarten worker's body was found six days later hidden under a pile of rotting palm fronds opposite the park where she and her boyfriend ‒ who has been named as a person of interest in the murder inquiry ‒ were staying in their campervan. No one has ever been charged over her death. Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the reward was a substantial incentive for someone to come forward with information about Simone's death. "For 15 years, police have been determined to uncover the truth of what happened to Simone," he said. "Both the Lismore community and her loved ones in Germany deserve answers." Richmond Police District Commander Superintendent Scott Tanner said police believed there are people in Australia and in Germany who are withholding vital information. "We know the truth is out there, and we know there are people who are holding it back," he added. "We have continued to examine evidence and speak with witnesses over the past 15 years, but we need additional help from the public to finally determine what happened to Simone." Have your say

  No physical location because of COVID

Creditors of failed camper trailer builder to hold virtual meeting

By Dennis Amor

CREDITORS of an award-winning camper trailer manufacturer which went into liquidation as the COVID crisis hit hard, will hold a 'virtual meeting' on October 30. Sydney-based liquidator Shumit Banerjee said there would be no physical location because of pandemic restrictions. Family-operated Complete Campsite on NSW's Central Coast specialised in soft floor, hard floor and hybrid offroad campers. It went into liquidation in July following a meeting of company members. Owners Grant and Jodie Joyce said it has been a "very difficult and devastating decision" to pull down the shutters. Launched in 1991, their company had scooped a swag of awards, including best camper trailer manufacturer and off-road camper of the year. Last year it launched what it called "a more streamlined approach" to sales by dealing directly from its Lisarow factory and attending shows, events and expos across Queensland. Have your say

'We are delighted with the results'

VIRTUAL CARAVAN SHOW IS DUBBED A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

AUSTRALIA'S unique virtual caravan show ‒ thought to be the first of its kind in the world ‒ was a "resounding success", according to the organisers. More than 67,000 people logged into the online event featuring 164 exhibitors, with the feedback from attendees being overwhelmingly positive. The five-day virtual exhibition was an innovative take on traditional caravan and camping shows, which are currently on hold due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. "Being the first caravan and camping virtual show in Australia, and most likely the first in the world, we are delighted with the results and the feedback from the customers and exhibitors," Caravan Industry Victoria chief executive Rob Lucas (pictured) said.

'Consumers deserve better protection than they are receiving'

Caravan industry's peak body welcomes
$7m Gvt push to implement 2018 RVSA

AUSTRALIA'S peak body for the caravanning industry has welcomed the Federal Government's $7m push to implement the 2018 Road Vehicle Standards Act. Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive Stuart Lamont (pictured) said any further delays would continue to provide a way for unsafe or non-compliant vehicles to be registered without fear of retribution. "Australian consumers and those genuine industry businesses committed to doing the right thing deserve better protection than what they are receiving from the current MVSA legislation," he said. Meanwhile, his association had been "encouraged" by the recent Budget announcement committing $2b over two years to deliver road safety initiatives, including a $5.5m National Road Safety Data Hub to create the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. "With the expected boom in caravanning over the next three to five years, it is important that consumer road safety remains paramount for the reputation of the industry and the wellbeing of the consumers that use industry products," Mr Lamont said.

Caravanner unaware of mayhem

Three die in horror smash after caravan's solar panel comes adrift

THREE people died in a horror smash after a solar panel on the roof of a caravan came adrift in high winds on Tasmania's Midland Highway. Police said the RV was travelling north when the panel fell onto the southbound lane about a kilometre south of Ross, causing the driver of a vehicle heading south to swerve and collide with another vehicle travelling north. The southbound vehicle's occupants ‒ two adults and a child ‒ are understood to have died at the scene. Another child was airlifted to Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition. Two adults and a child from the other vehicle were also rushed to hospital. It is understood the caravanner did not see the mayhem behind him and continued his travels to Epping Forest. Police said he had now been interviewed. "This is a tragedy for all three families," Acting Police Commander Kate Chambers said. "An incident like this is distressing for everyone involved and will have a lifelong impact for so many people." Federal MP for Lyons Brian Mitchell has expressed his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. Have your say

Avoiding possible major problems

Council stresses importance of tyre placards on recreational vehicles

THE Caravan Council of Australia has stressed the importance of tyre placards on RVs. General manager Colin Young said the placards, usually incorporated into compliance plates, were meant to reassure buyers that the correct tyres had been professionally determined for optimum caravan handling and stability performance. "Clearly, for many caravans, this is not the case," he said. It was not permitted to suggest any specific tyre manufacturer's name or brand. "It is essential that caravan buyers fully understand all the information provided by the manufacturer on the tyre placard before they accept the caravan to avoid possible major problems in the future," he added. Have your say

'Inappropriate behaviour'

Man charged after alleged swimming pool incidents

A MAN has been charged after alleged inappropriate behaviour with children at a WA caravan park. Karratha detectives say the 63-year-old is next due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on October 16 accused of indecent dealing of a child under 13. The action follows investigations into alleged incidents at a swimming pool in the caravan park on Rosemary Road in Baynton. Police said the man was at the pool and it is alleged he approached numerous families offering free swimming lessons to children. It is claimed he interacted with various children and indecently assaulted an 11-year-old girl.

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RVs damaged and tents blown away

VIOLENT STORM HITS WA CARAVAN PARK

A VIOLENT thunderstorm blasted a WA caravan park with RVs and tents taking the full brunt. Wind gusts of up to 118km/h were recorded. Some motorhomes were damaged and tents blown away at Kununurra's Ivanhoe Village caravan park. Trees were uprooted, with one crashing down onto the roof of an Avida motorhome. There were no reports of injuries. (Photo: Department of Fire and Emergency Services).

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A 'challenging year' but ...

Caravan industry's peak body 'optimistic' about the future

DESPITE the deadly COVID virus putting the brakes on caravanning and camping this year there is still a bright future ahead, according to the industry's peak body. "We are optimistic about the future of the caravan and camping industry, especially as Australians look to support local business, reconnect with loved ones and spend time in nature after such a challenging year," Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive Stuart Lamont (pictured) explained. His prediction comes after the newly released State of Industry 2020 Report outlined the industry's past performance and highlighted the opportunity for it to drive recovery.

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Voted one of the world's best

Top gong for NSW park where 'burdens of everyday life fall away'

REFLECTIONS Holiday Parks is celebrating after its popular coastal holiday park at Corindi Beach in NSW was voted one of the world's best. Located near Coffs Harbour, it has earned a 2020 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice award, which puts it in the top 10 percent of the accommodation sector worldwide. Established in 2002 to recognise the best of the best in tourism, the gong is based on worldwide reviews and opinions from travellers. Park managers Amy and Jason Doyle said they loved to see the burdens of their guests' everyday lives fall away when they stayed at the park.

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  New range of accommodation options

$9m plan to transform Broome caravan park into major drawcard

THE transformation of Broome's Town Beach area in WA is set to continue, with a $9 million overhaul of the Roebuck Bay Caravan Park on the cards. Shire of Broome councillors unanimously voted for Discovery Holiday Parks being granted a 21-year lease, which includes the option of a further 21 years commitment to spend $9 million on the renewal of Broome's only beachfront caravan park. This would include a new range of accommodation options, a lagoon swimming pool and improvements to infrastructure and drainage at the site, turning it into a major tourist drawcard.

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Innovative project will fill a gap

Tourism chief welcomes new
lease of life for Exmouth park

Tourism Council WA has welcomed plans for a world-class eco resort at the foot of Exmouth's Vlamingh Head, where the Ningaloo Lighthouse Holiday Park is situated. The park will be transformed into a low-impact resort, with a mix of accommodation options and facilities including restaurants and bars, swimming pools, and recreation and boating facilities. Tourism Council chief executive Evan Hall said the state had long lagged behind other destinations in creating new, sustainable resorts in regional areas. "This innovative project will fill the gap for world-class accommodation and resort-style facilities which is expected by many guests," he said. The resort will offer a mix of accommodation options, including eco tents, villas, caravan bays and hotel rooms. Have your say

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Locals support plan to attract RVers

Tassie council seeks operators
to run public camping facilities

TASMANIA'S Waratah-Wynyard Council is looking for operators to run a public camping site at Sisters Beach in the Applie Isle's Rocky Cape National Park. Locals who once criticised the behaviour of freedom campers, now support the idea of providing "controlled" facilities for the budget-concious RV travellers. Council community and engagement director Tracey Bradley said the authority sought to be "good hosts" of visitors to the area. "And we would like them to be good guests when they come to our place," she stressed.

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