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SEPTEMBER 2020

SEPT 29:
Ingenia, which operates a chain of holiday and lifestyle parks, reports a seven percent rise in revenue to $244.2m for the financial year ending June 30. Earnings before interest and tax was $71.9m. Chairman Jim Hazel said COVID-19 had dashed the company's expectations for another record year. "Nevertheless, we were pleased with the group's results which were underpinned by recurring rents," he said. "While our holidays business continues to be impacted by border closures, forward bookings have increased as restrictions ease, and we are well positioned to benefit as Australians seek domestic holidays."

SEPT 29:
Camping is a 'real life classroom', according to the caravan industry's Real Richness Report ... with 94 percent of campers agreeing it teaches children important life skills.

SEPT 29:
High winds are being blamed for an accident on southbound lanes of the Pacific Motorway's Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge in NSW in which a caravan and tow vehicle jackknifed yesterday. The caravanners were not injured.

SEPT 29:
The family-owned Oasis Tourist Park at Virginia south east of Darwin has joined the Kui Parks chain.

SEPT 28:
Aussie country singer-songwriter Kevin Sullivan is planning to hit the road full-time in a brand new custom-built caravan with wife Belinda and their three young children. The former forensic police crime scene investigator's 'SullyVan' is already under construction at the Sunland Caravans factory in Caboolture, Queensland.

SEPT 28:
Nominations are now open for people wanting to join the Caravan Industry Association of Australia's national board. Nominations close on October 7. Stepping down are Nick Hunter (Trade), Donna Cocking (Parks), Grant Wilckens (Parks) and Brad Slater (Trade). Not subject to re-election this year are Martin Cotterell (Parks), Dennis Austin (Trade), Chris Goddard (Trade), James Kelly (Parks) and Mark Lindsay (Parks).

SEPT 27:
Caravan Industry Association of Australia today welcomed the announcement from the Morrison Government of a $250 million regional Australia package, with $150 million specifically for tourism and infrastructure projects to assist regional tourism. Chief executive Stuart Lamont commented: "Caravan parks, for several years, have been developing the accommodation experiences available which has brought new markets on board and led to record numbers in 2019. This announcement from the government will help businesses return faster to the lofty heights set in 2019."

SEPT 27:
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service says all campgrounds in national parks now require a booking, including locations previously available for use without one.

SEPT 27:
Federal Government to spend $100m on tourist facilities across the nation, including camping grounds, to encourage Australians to take domestic holidays.

SEPT 27:
A woman in her seventies and four-year-old girl died when their sedan and a 4WD towing a camper trailer collided on NSW's Northern Tablelands. Police are investigating the horror crash which happened yesterday on Thunderbolts Way at Nowendoc. The 41-year-old 4WD driver and his passengers ‒ a 48-year-old woman, two boys aged nine and 11 and two girls aged two and four ‒ were all treated at the scene by members of the public, police and NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital.

SEPT 26:
Brisbane-based global RV renter and manufacturer of Windsor and Coromal caravans Apollo Tourism and Leisure will hold a virtual online annual general meeting on October 28.

SEPT 25:
No injuries reported after a caravan rollover on the Landsborough Highway near Longreach this morning.

SEPT 25:
Man badly burned in caravan blaze at Dunn Street in Biloela, Queensland, in the early hours. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson told Caravanning News that it took two fire crews about 40 minutes to bring the outbreak under control. The man was taken by ambulance to Biloela hospital. The cause of the blaze was being investigated.

SEPT 25:
NRMA Woodgate Beach Holiday Park near Bundaberg in Queensland is seeking council approval to add 19 new caravan sites, two ensuite cabins and a mini golf course.

SEPT 24:
One lane of NSW's Pacific Highway closed after caravan accident near Telegraph Point.

SEPT 24:
Oasis Caravan Park at Kanwal on NSW Central Coast for sale by expressions of interest. Agent CBRE Hotels says the 145-site park has an annual turnover of about $1.1 million.

SEPT 24:
Man, 25, badly burned when caravan in which he was sleeping erupted into flames on a property at Cobden, Victoria.

SEPT 22:
Some caravan parks in regional Victoria reporting bumper bookings after COVID restrictions on travelling outside Melbourne eased.

SEPT 21:
Seven men have now been charged with serious offences after a man, 27, was shot in the leg during an altercation at an abandoned far north Queensland caravan park on Evans Road, Bramston Beach, last weekend.

SEPT 21:
The Scenic Rim's popular Lake Moogerah Caravan Park is to undergo a major facelift after receiving more than $2 million in grants from the Queensland Government's COVID Unite and Recover Stimulus Package.

SEPT 19:
Vehicle towing caravan rolled on Queensland's Flinders Highway near Julia Creek this afternoon. No further information available.

SEPT 19:
Canberra's new Canberra Park tourist park now offers 73 RV sites following the completion of Stage 2 work.

SEPT 19:
The Apple Isle's Huon Valley Council has reminded Tasmanians that its RV sites on council land at Franklin, Shipwrights Point (Port Huon) and Geeveston are temporarily closed while planning approvals and management arrangements are put in place. But it says that most Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service facilities have reopened, meaning people can use the free camping sites in southern Tasmania's National Parks.

SEPT 18:
River Myall Holiday Resort at Bulahdelah in NSW named as this year's highest rated park in the BIG4 chain.

SEPT 18:
South Australia's SES this afternoon warned visitors in the state's northeast not to camp near creek beds which could flood as heavy rains approach.

SEPT 18:
The 65-site Tuggerah Shores Caravan Park on the NSW Central Coast, which reports an annual revenue of around $660,000, is on the market.

SEPT 18:
Ingenia Communities, which operates a chain of holiday and lifestyle parks, has appointed Greg Hayes as an independent non-executive director. Mr Hayes has over 30 years' experience in senior executive roles in a range of industries, including property, infrastructure, energy and logistics.

SEPT 16:
Some regional caravan parks and camping grounds in Victoria will be able to reopen from midnight tonight. The state's Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that bookings would be restricted to only people living in regional areas. Groups will be restricted to members of a single household, household bubble or "intimate partners". The finer details were still being worked out. Meanwhile, police will reportedly be checking every campervan and vehicle towing a caravan out of the metropolitan area. They will also be patrolling regional caravan parks and camping grounds.

SEPT 16:
Corindi Beach Holiday Park north of Coffs Harbour in northern NSW is celebrating after scooping the 2020  Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award, putting it in the top 10 percent of hospitality businesses in the world.

SEPT 15:
Ballina Beach Village caravan park in NSW recently changed hands for more than $3 million.

SEPT 15:
Queensland police are searching for caravanners who have lost their bicycles and bike rack. They report the items fell from the back of a caravan as it turned left from Livingstone Street into Herbert Street at Bowen. One of the bicycles is a black and orange Fluid Grizzly mountain bike with a large beach tyre on the rear. The second is a silver and dark blue Trek 3700 mountain bike. If you are the owner of these items, your property is waiting for you at the Bowen Police Station, simply quote reference number QP2001697860.

SEPT 15:
People have until September 26 to submit comments to Tasmania's Kentish Council on a plan by Discovery Holiday Parks to invest $20m on building 74 new cabins and 51 new caravan and camping sites at its Cradle Mountain park.

SEPT 14:
The publishers of Camps Australia Wide, regarded as a bible for budget travellers, have warned that NSW national parks have introduced booking fees. It reports an increase in bookings for next year, with some camps still closed due to COVID restrictions.

SEPT 14:
Two elderly travellers escaped unhurt after their 4WD towing a caravan erupted in fierce flames at the top of the Toowoomba Range on the Darling Downs. The vehicle was destroyed and caravan badly damaged.

SEPT 14:
Caravan loses wheel on Bundaberg to Mount Perry Road near SSS strawberry fields in Queensland.

SEPT 11:
Two people taken to hospital after their caravan and tow vehicle rolled on NT's Stuart Highway north of Elliot after being caught in a strong gust of wind. No further details available.

SEPT 11:
Nova Caravans has four new dealerships ... Luxury RVs in WA, Donehue's Leisure at Mt Gambia and Hamilton, and City Caravans at Cowra.

SEPT 11:
Ingenia, which operates a chain of lifestyle and holiday parks, will hold its annual general meeting on November 10. Nominations for new directors will close on September 17.

SEPT 10:
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia has given its support to today's R U OK? Day by reminding people they can look after their mental health and wellbeing by taking a caravan or camping holiday. "Not only do trips make campers happier, they also give people an opportunity to connect with themselves and find their grounding, with 53 percent of women and 44 percent of men strongly agreeing that camping trips enabled them to gather their thoughts," it says.

SEPT 10:
Police in WA express concern and urge caravanners to take extra care after two rollovers this week.

SEPT 10:
Adelaide Plains Council has invited public submissions over plans to make minor changes in conditions for overnight camping at its Parham and Mallala reserves. They include a ban on returning to the sites for 28 consecutive days.

SEPT 9:
Caravan broke free from its tow vehicle and crashed on the Flinders Highway at Campaspe west of Charters Towers.

SEPT 9:
Grey nomad couple's caravan destroyed by fire at Carcoar Dam recreation area in NSW's central west. The travellers and their dog were reported to have escaped the inferno.

SEPT 9
A dust reduction system for caravans on the move designed by Camec, part of Fleetwood Corp, has scooped a prestigious Good Design Award Gold accolade in Australia’s International Good Design Awards. The selecting jury described its design as "really clever", adding: "Sometimes smart solutions are the simplest. However, directing ram air through a filtration system whilst keeping everything waterproof, dustproof and insect free can be quite challenging."

SEPT 9:
Caravan parks on Queensland's remote Cape York Peninsula report booming business as grey nomads and other travellers flood into the area in an attempt to escape COVID-19.

SEPT 9:
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following a fatal cabin fire at a Victorian caravan park overnight. Emergency crews fought the inferno at the park on the Frankston-Dandenong Rd at Carrum Downs last night. Sadly a 63-year-old man, who is yet to be formally identified, died at the scene. A crime scene has been set up and the circumstances surrounding the fire are yet to be determined. An arson chemist and fire investigators from the Arson Squad were at the scene this morning.

SEPT 8:
Man, 56, will appear in court tomorrow after police allegedly found loaded firearm and cannabis plants in his caravan on Kohlhagens Reserve at Yarragundry, NSW.

SEPT 8:
Guests arriving at the Reflections Holiday Park at Bonny Hills on the NSW mid-north coast will be greeted with 26 new premium powered sites following a $370,000 investment. The finishing touches are being made to the 11 new astro turf and 15 powered turf pitches. "Caravanning or camping in a pristine coastal location far from the anxieties of city life, is the most perfect holiday choice people can make right now," Reflections chief executive Steve Edmonds said. "The sites are levelled and are some of the best you will find in any caravan park across Australia."

SEPT 8:
A gathering of Boroma caravan owners planned for October 12-19 at Alstonville Showgrounds in NSW has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The annual event has been held every year since Queensland-based Boroma Caravans, regarded as one of Australia's most respected RV manufacturers, went belly-up in 2008. A group calling itself the Boroma Roamers, has pledged to keep the brand name alive.

SEPT 8:
Toddler with serious injuries airlifted to children's hospital in Brisbane after accident with a car at a Rainbow Beach caravan park east of Gympie in Queensland. A spokeswoman at the Rainbow Beach Holiday Park declined to comment when contacted by Caravanning News today.

SEPT 7:
Fire crews tackled blaze involving cabin at BIG4 holiday park in Port Augusta West. No injuries reported.

SEPT 7:
Two travellers escaped unhurt when their caravan flipped on George Grey Drive, Kalbarri, WA, this morning.

SEPT 4:
Owner of Victoria's Euroa Caravan Park Kristy Hourigan will battle for a place on her local Strathbogie Shire Council in next month's council elections. She says: "The skills and attributes I used to bring the caravan park to where it is today, are the same I will use when I represent the community."

SEPT 4:
Caravan Parks Association of Queensland reports that tourist parks in the state's south-west and Scenic Rim are experiencing low demand, while others in the central and north-west are booming.

SEPT 4:
O'Reilly's Campground in Queensland's Lamington National Park will reopen on September 18 after a multi-million dollar upgrade. Improvements include a new amenities building, communal camp kitchen and hub, 21 RV sites and 24 campsites, 17 safari tents, a fire pit and gathering area.

SEPT 3:
Port Stephens councillors in NSW decided that no more than 25 sites will be allowed at the proposed Twelve Mile Creek camping grounds on The Buckets Way instead of the 50 applied for by the developer. Maximum stay will be four consecutive nights.

SEPT 3:
Improvements at the Queen Street Caravan Park in NSW's historic township of Uralla will make the park fit for the Royal Family, according to local MP Adam Marshall. He made the observation while announcing a $65,000 state government grant for the council-owned facility. "Who needs Buckingham Palace when you can stay at the Queen Street Caravan Park in Uralla?" he quipped.

SEPT 3:
Caravan Industry Association of Australia will urge the Federal Government to consider the caravanning industry in its October Budget. The association is pressing for rebates to buyers of new RVs and matched funding opportunities for caravan parks to invest in refurbishments or upgrades. The association estimates that every Australian-made RV creates $335,000 in additional spending, with a large amount going to regional and rural businesses.

SEPT 2:
Cairns Regional Council in Queensland has reopened four 72-hour free camping grounds for caravanners and other travellers, but with COVID-19 restrictions in place. They are Babinda Rotary Park (limited to 60 sites), Babinda Boulders (limit 15 sites), Bramston Beach (bookings required) and Greenpatch, Gordonvale (limit 50 sites).

SEPT 2:
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia has added four new additions to the National Caravan Holiday Park Accreditation Program – Imbil Camping Retreat (QLD), Warburton Holiday Park (VIC) Swansea Holiday Park (TAS) and Tenterfield Lodge Caravan Park (NSW).

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