| |||||||||
Caravanning News is registered with the National Library of Australia's PANDORA archive |
OCTOBER 2022 | ||||||||
|
|||||||||
Readership: Up
to 32,000 monthly
|
|
Partial restitution Former Brisbane motorhome dealer jailed for fraud
A FORMER Brisbane-based motorhome dealer has
been jailed after
a major investigation by the Office of Fair Trading into his business
activities. Alfred John Jeffreys, formerly a licenced motor dealer
and director of The Motorhome Conversion Company Pty Ltd and
Motorhomesoz Sales Pty Ltd, appeared in the Brisbane District Court
and admitted 11 charges
of fraud totalling $692,450. He was sentenced to five years
imprisonment, suspended for four years after serving one year. On the
day of sentencing, Mr Jeffreys provided
partial restitution to assist affected consumers who were still owed
proceeds for the sale of their motorhomes. The
court heard that without telling the owners, he allegedly sold the
motorhomes and received the sale proceeds into his company’s bank
account. Owners were led to believe that Mr Jeffreys had yet to sell
the motorhomes, even being told in some circumstances, of potential
buyers for the already sold motorhomes.
Solid outlook for
Fleetwood's By Dennis Amor
THE medium-term outlook for Fleetwood's RV Solutions
division remains solid,
with order books at high levels and recent growth
in registrations to support the after-sales market.
Continued growth of new caravan
registrations and the sales of second-hand
caravans had been a key contributing factor
to its growth over the past year, Fleetwood said.
"While international travel has resumed, the forward order book for
manufacturers remains at solid levels," it added.
"The business will likely remain in a strong position through exposure
to the locally built RV market via the parts business Camec, and to
overseas imports through the services business Northern RV. The recent
boom in caravan sales during the past two years will likely continue
to deliver demand for our aftermarket service and renovation
offering." RV Solutions finished the 2022 financial years with pre-tax
earnings of $9.8 million on revenue of $81.2 million.
Stolen car misses rig by inches Roundabout fright for caravanners
'Growing and critical role' recognised Budget provides shot in arm for caravan parks
THE Caravan Industry Association of
Australia has welcomed the Federal Budget's
announcement of caravan
park infrastructure upgrade funding.
"The heart of the program is to assist caravan parks to swiftly upgrade or create new infrastructure and visitor facilities to enhance visitor experience, including improvements to accessibility and environmental sustainability practices," the association said.
Chief executive Stuart Lamont, pictured,
said the targeted federal infrastructure support package recognised
the "growing and critical value" of caravanning to Australia's tourism
and visitor economy. ● Caravanning News reader David Johnson from Victoria was quick to react to the news, commenting: "I just hope that as taxpayers are effectively funding an element of the upgrade works, that park owners recognise the funded element and ensure any resultant price rises reflect this."
Top management
changes at
VICTORIA'S peak body for the state's caravan
and RV manufacturing industry has announced a major change in
the line-up of its top management.
Caravan Industry Victoria's
long-serving chief executive Rob Lucas, pictured,
will hand over the reins to current general manager operations Daniel
Sahlberg in January, while Mr Lucas will become chief executive of the
National Caravan Industry Training College.
President Nat Schiavello said the handover was the culmination of a
carefully planned succession process.
Wet weather damages grounds Summer ban on camping at showground and oval
NSW's Kiama Council will not
provide overflow camping sites at the Kiama Showground and Chapman
Oval this summer. The authority, through its Kiama Coast Holiday
Parks, normally allows holidaymakers with campervans and caravans to
set up at the locations to meet the heavy demand of the Christmas and
New Year period. But this will not be possible in the 2022-23 summer
season due to the continued poor state of the grounds following the
extended wet weather and forecast for further heavy rain over the
holidays. "This decision is based on the significant cost of repairing
our reserves, as well as the many safety risks to our guests and
maintenance staff," the council said. It apologised for any
inconvenience caused and encouraged people planning camping visits to
contact its Kiama Coast Holiday Parks and Destination Kiama teams for
help with alternative locations.
Impending Budget brings busy times for industry's peak body AUGUST and
September brought busy times
for the caravan industry's peak body, the Caravan Industry Association of
Australia. It's attention was focused on
Canberra, with many topics affecting the industry being discussed during
the interim Budget planning ... the insurance industry, future fuels and
jobs and skills summits. The association said an interim budget would be
released on October 25. "We are hopeful, based on the government's
pre-election commitments, that there will be a $10 million fund for the
caravan industry," it said. "Although not yet confirmed, following
previous similar funding commitment grants it may be based on shovel-ready
projects with an anticipated spend greater than $25,000. Like other
programs, the submitters would be expected to contribute 50:50." The
association encouraged people in the caravan industry to "get their
thinking caps on" and plan projects that would significantly add to the
quality of the customer experience when visiting their parks. "If we are
successfully awarded the funding come Budget night we would expect
applications to be submitted by late November/early December 2022," it
said. "We will be watching the Budget night releases with great
anticipation!"
Business and leisure rolled into one as 'vanners hit road
IT is no secret that Covid has changed the way
Queenslanders live and work, but an emerging caravanning trend has
shown that it has also altered the way they holiday. The
caravanning scene has given rise to the concept of B-Leisure (mixing
business and leisure) for the new or experienced caravanning
fraternity. Caravanning and camping continues to be the preferred
holiday option across Australia, but this new hybrid holiday trend is
seeing many 'cara-fans' exploring creative caravan customisations to
enable them to make a living while on the road. Caravanning Queensland
Trade chief executive Jason Plant said there
had been a rise in the number of Aussies taking the leap to hit the
road and explore everything Australia has to offer in recent years.
And, he added, this phenomenon had since led to a spike in requests
for specially modified caravans which allowed travellers to generate
an income no matter where they were.
Inspections to be extended Consultant appointed to monitor gas, electrical safety in RVs The Caravan Industry Association of Australia has appointed gas technical consultant Bill Thiel to increase the focus on gas and electrical safety in caravans. This follows news of a significant change in Australian Standards AS/NZS5601:2 and AS/NZS3001 with regards to gas and electrical installations in recreational vehicles. The appointment is aimed at helping industry businesses understand their obligations under the important Australian Standards. The association said it would be expanding inspections of industry products beyond ADR compliance to include reviewing gas and electrical around issues of most concern. Imported RVs would be included. "Information gathered will form the basis of industry education as well as individual assistance where required," the association said.
Gatton RV park proving a magnet for 'vanners The William Kemp RV Park at Gatton west of Brisbane is proving a magnet for caravanners. In a Facebook posting, the Lockyer Valley Regional Council reported that "plenty of visitors" were taking advantage of the council’s free short-term campground. "It's a win-win for visitors and local businesses," it said. "The RV park helps cement our region on the itineraries of travellers and attracts visitors who may have otherwise bypassed our towns." It said the local community reaped benefits when visitors bought meals, snacks, fuel, gifts, tyres and more. Some campers reported spending around $400 during their stay. Local store Gray's Furniture, Giftware and Bedding said staff "loved having a chat to the wonderful travellers as they passed the shop". "They are always so happy, with great stories to tell," it added. And local Susan Taylor said she could remember negative comments by a few people when the park was first opened. "I work across the road from it and it continues to have plenty of use, which is great to see," she added.
Caravan crooks strike Police appeal for help after theft of 36yo 'van CARAVAN thieves made off with a 36-year-old caravan from the Fraser Coast in Queensland. Police have now appealed for help in tracing the dual-axle RV which disappeared from an address in Nissan Street, Pialba. The crooks struck shortly before midnight on September 30. The caravan is a 1986 Windsor bearing Queensland registration plates 553QNC. Anyone who has seen the white and blue caravan is asked to contact Policelink and provide information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444. They can also report information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. Quote the reference number: QP2201698810.
Kokoda caravanners still raising cash for charities FIFTY Kokoda caravans pitched at the Dunsborough Southern Stars Holiday Park for a week of fundraising, food and fun. Organising the event was Glenn and Vicki Bryant from Happy Campers Australia. Prizes donated by MickeyBlu, Redarc, Trail-A-Mate as well as support from Kokoda Caravans and local businesses helped raise $5057.25 for the Dunsborough Volunteer Fire Brigade. It will allow them to buy more hand-held UHF radios. Five National Kokoda Caravan Owners events have now raised $35,000 for Australian charities.
Feedback sought
Two-year RV-friendly
THE two-year trial of two RV friendly overnight
parking locations at Lion's Park and the local showgrounds in Numurkah,
Victoria, is under review. "We are seeking the community's feedback on
its success to determine if these sites should continue being RV
friendly," a Moira Shire Council statement said. Mayor Libro Mustica said
that following the adoption of its Recreational Vehicle Friendly Strategy,
the council had received a petition to make Numurkah ‒ population 4768 and
located on the Goulburn Valley Highway north of Shepparton ‒ RV friendly
again under the Caravan Motorhome Club of Australia accreditation scheme.
Colourful planters welcome RVs
FROM drab to fab ... there's now a colourful welcome for caravanners arriving at the 72-hour Biggenden RV rest area in the
North Burnett region of Queensland. Planters outside the pet-friendly
facility, operated by the rural town's local Chamber of Commerce, have
been painted and plants revitalised. The popular site is close to
shops, cafes and pubs and is for self-contained RVs only. It is hailed
as a "great spot" to explore Coongarra Rock and Falls, Mount Walsh
National Park and other historical and natural locations.
Rig checks
vital before hitting
POLICE in Queensland have requested caravanners to familiarise
themselves with their rig before hitting the road. "Caravanning can be
an exciting time for everyone, but it can also lead to tragedy if you
don't know your vehicles capability," Darling Downs officer Senior
Constable Belinda Elks said. "Drivers of vehicles towing caravans or
trailers are responsible for driving to the conditions and
understanding the impacts of the extra load."
|