BROOME Shire Council in WA has had a change of heart and will now allow
travellers with pets to stay for more than seven nights at temporary or
overflow caravan parks.
Councillors unanimously voted in favour of the move after numerous
complaints from pet-loving caravanners that the limit unfairly restricted
their time in the beachside town.
They pointed out that all six caravan parks in the area banned animals.
New rules will now provide them with priority access to temporary or
overflow facilities at the local PCYC, pistol club and Seventh Day
Adventist Church.
A council report said caravan parks would not accept travellers with pets
from June to September, the peak tourist season.
"This is an individual operating decision that the shire has no influence
over," it said.
'Important revenue and
reputation of Broome may be harmed'
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"The isolation of Broome and the nature of self-drive travellers often
mean that people arrive with no booked accommodation or indication of how
they will be accommodated.
"During the peak season the permanent facilities are often running at peak
capacity and are unable to accommodate the number of visitors.
"Furthermore, travellers with pets are often unable to find accommodation
during this time.
"By failing to accommodate the extra travellers, local businesses miss out
on important revenue and the reputation of Broome may be harmed."
The report said the council received "numerous complaints" regarding the
availability of caravan and camping accommodation in Broome.
They commonly referred to the availability and length of stay for people
travelling with pets and the length of stay in overflow facilities.
"The six licenced permanent facility operators have made significant
investments into their respective businesses and Broome’s economy," the
report pointed out.
"It is important that the operation of temporary facilities is in support
of the ongoing promotion of Broome as a tourist destination and enhances
the local economy ... and not operated to the detriment of the permanent
facilities," it added.
Shire director development services Aletta Nugent told local media that
the new policy represented a more positive approach to attracting the
self-drive market to Broome, especially the large contingent of people
travelling with pets.
“Self-drive travellers are very vocal through social media in promoting or
criticising a destination," she said.
The new rules would benefit local traders by increasing visitor numbers
while not affecting existing caravan parks.