CARAVANNING NEWS - September 2010 edition


LINKS	REST AREAS	CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS	OWNERS' FORUMS	FUEL PRICES	CARAVAN CLUBS	LIVE TRAFFIC CAMS
Queensland outback	Carnarvon Gorge	Moore Park Beach turtles	Sydney circular	Santa's trip	Formula One interlude	Imbil

Brisbane Weather Forecast, Australia

September 2010

BREAKING NEWS

SEPTEMBER 6: Up to a dozen caravan parks evacuated in northern Victoria after rivers and creeks burst banks following heavy rains.
SEPTEMBER 5: Wild weather and heavy rains in southern states result in evacuation of caravan parks, including Creswick Caravan Park, Creswick, and Riverside Caravan Park, Clunes.
SEPTEMBER 4: Police hunt sex fiend who assaulted elderly woman at Lake Ainsworth caravan park, Lennox Heads, NSW. Woman taken to hospital but released after treatment.
SEPTEMBER 4: Family of seven homeless after caravan erupts in flames at Childers Central Caravan Park in Queensland.
SEPTEMBER 3: Six men arrested after stealing spree at Surfside Caravan Park, Warrnambool, Victoria.

Parks division continues impressive track record

By DENNIS AMOR

PERTH-based Aspen Parks, which operates a network of successful caravan parks throughout Australia, poured a healthy $7.5 million into the coffers of its parent company during the last financial year. The Aspen Group has revealed a 2010 full year after-tax operating profit of $33.6 million for the 2009-2010 financial year, with the Aspen Parks division continuing its "impressive track record" of strong returns. High demand for accommodation at Aspen Parks' mining parks in the north west and solid tourist numbers had underpinned increased earnings, the company reported. Aspen Group managing director Gavin Hawkins said the 2010 financial performance was an encouraging result, and in line with previously provided market guidance. In addition, Aspen Parks' strong operating cash flow enabled full repayment of its $20.3 million loan to Aspen Group by the third quarter of the financial year. Aspen Parks' strong earnings and cash flow outlook had resulted in an increased monthly distribution rate from July this year, equating to a current earnings yield of 8.8 percent, being very competitive against other unlisted property funds. "Aspen Parks' improving capital capacity in FY11 will enable management to seek acquisitive acquisitions at the right price or alternatively execute high value identified development opportunities currently pending within the portfolio," Mr Hawkins added.

Members' fury at not being represented

ACC caned for 'snubbing' government inquiry

By DENNIS AMOR

THE Australian Caravan Club has copped a caning from caravanners for "snubbing" a government inquiry into the role grey nomads play in Queensland's economy.

Club members expressed surprise and disappointment that the 2200-member nationwide organisation did not represent them at the state's Economic Development Committee public inquiry into how rural and regional communities can be developed through grey nomad tourism.

Victorian caravanner Clive Masterson fumed to Caravanning News: "The Australian Caravan Club canvassed itself as being the voice of caravanners, putting together a united front to fight and improve things for us.

"But it appears they snubbed this important inquiry, even though other major caravanning groups were willing participants."

A public hearing at the Queensland Parliamentary Annexe in Brisbane was attended by representatives from Caravanning Queensland, West Australian caravanner Frans Hamer, local councils, the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia and the Auswide Motorhome Club.

The ACC did not attend or provide any prior submission to the inquiry.

But ACC secretary Alan Lazarus made no apology, maintaining that the terms of reference under which the committee of inquiry was established were very narrow, concentrating on a single segment of the road-bound tourist ... the grey nomad.

Mr Lazarus told Caravanning News: "Given that the ACC is a young organisation, with limited resources in terms of both dollars and people, any submissions or lobbying efforts must be directed at those areas where maximum benefit is returned to the ACC membership."

Industry turns back the clock for awards night
NEW South Wales' caravanning and camping industry turned back the clock when it held its premier annual event. The Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner at the Sheraton in Sydney took on a distinctive historical atmosphere as it honoured the state's top achievers.

First sod turned in RV lifestyle village project
THE first sod has been turned at the site of Queensland's first multi-million dollar RV lifestyle village. The RV Homebase project near Maryborough will cater for grey nomads, offering six-star energy-rated, eco-friendly homes with the ability to park a full size caravan or motorhome undercover alongside their home.

Wheelie shocking for southbound grey nomads
A VICTORIAN couple found themselves stranded on the Bruce Highway in Queensland ... when the wheels came off their Royal Flair caravan. David and Viv New were heading south at around 80kph when the axle snapped on their poptop at Marmor, south of Rockhampton. "We heard a loud bang and there was lots of smoke," Mr New said. The couple was not hurt.

National debut for unique folding caravan
A UNIQUE folding caravan which can become ready for use at the touch of a button is making its national debut this month. The brainchild of 63-year-old retired civil engineer Peter Buscombe, the two-berth EziVan – which took three years to develop and build – will be featured on ABC television's New Inventors programme on September 8.

NSW the nation's favourite destination, conference told
CARAVANNERS play an important role in New South Wales' economy, a state conference heard. Delegates at the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW (CCIA) annual conference in Sydney were told that NSW was Australia's favourite destination for caravanners and campers.

Top accolade for energy-saving park
A NEW South Wales caravan park has been honoured for its efforts towards protecting the environment. The three-and-a-half star Clarkes Beach Holiday Park at Byron Bay received the prestigious Land and Property Management Authority Environmental Excellence Award.

Headland park wins gold
ULLADULLA Headland Tourist Park collected a gold award in the NSW South Coast Tourism Awards' tourism and caravan parks category. Silver went to the Surf Beach Holiday Park at Narooma while the BIG 4 Batemans Bay Beach Resort received a bronze award.

Time to chase up old friends
PARK managers Greg and Colleen Carr have made lots of friends since taking over the reins at a West Australian caravan park. But now the hardworking couple has decided it's time to leave the Kookaburra Caravan Park and chase up some of the acquaintances they have neglected over the years.

Merv returns to lead major park chain
AUSTRALIA'S largest chain of caravan and holiday parks has a new chairman. Well known in the industry, Merv King returns to the role after a gap of four years following the resignation of Rodger Powell, who will remain on the board as a director.

Parks face toughest pool rules ever
CARAVAN park owners in Queensland face the toughest swimming pool safety laws yet under new plans announced by the State Government. It says new mandatory pool safety certificates and inspections will help save lives and make the state's pools the safest in the country.

Developers snap up park for $6.2m
FLINDERS Caravan Park on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula has been sold at auction for $6.2m. It is understood the 2ha, 80-site park, located in a tiny beachside town 80km south of Melbourne, has been snapped up by developers. Meanwhile, the park's website has been suspended.

Boy airlifted to hospital after human fireball drama
A SEVEN-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital after he became a human fireball in an horrific accident at a Queensland caravan park. The youngster suffered 26 percent burns at the Millmerran Caravan Park near Toowoomba and was taken by an RACQ CareFlight helicopter to the Royal Children's Hospital's burns unit.

Great family challenge offers weekend of fun
A NEW South Wales caravan park is searching for Australia's greatest caravanning and camping family. Tathra Beach Family Park on the Sapphire Coast between Melbourne and Sydney will stage its inaugural Great Family Challenge from September 27 to 29.

Kelso Sands shows its gratitude to locals
TASMANIANS are being encouraged to explore their own unique corner of Australia ... with a discounted stay at a local caravan park. Kelso Sands Holiday Park owners Barbara and Bob Radley are inviting people from all over the Apple Isle to take a well deserved winter break and are offering a special deal "to give something back to locals".

TV's Frankie J now partner in caravan park
TELEVISION personalities Frankie J Holden and Michelle Pettigrove have become partners in the Tathra Beach Family Park at Tathra on NSW's Far South Coast. They have spent the last 18 months with daughter Georgia travelling Australia to present the popular caravanning and camping television programme, What's Up Downunder.

Apple Isle on track for new caravan park
TASMANIA may soon have a new caravan park. Huon Valley Council is considering an application from Ida Bay Railway leaseholder Meg Thornton to establish a "small" caravan park as part of the narrow-gauge railway, claimed to be Australia's most southern railway.

Couple count blessings after highway smash
ROUND Australia grey nomads Vince and Carol Foley are counting their blessings after surviving a horror smash on a remote Queensland highway. The Victorians say they were forced off the road as another caravan attempted to overtake their rig but was suddenly confronted by another caravan travelling in the opposite direction.

Pancakes by the lake for dads' day
BUSHMAN'S Rest Caravan Park at Lake Cullulleraine in Victoria is planning a special lakeside pancake breakfast to celebrate Father's Day on September 5.

Committee approves honest camping system for reserve
MID Murray Council's Mannum Caravan Park committee has approved a camping permit system for the Bolto Reserve in South Australia. It will operate under a "casually monitored" honesty system similar to that adopted by Parks SA, a committee report says.

Oldest park celebrates 75 years of memories
CLAIMED to be Australia's oldest caravan park, the family owned and operated Easts Beach Holiday Park in NSW is celebrating its 75th anniversary. A member of the BIG4 chain, the park is built on a history rich with tales of long standing traditions, friendships spanning decades, and even a love story.

Petition brings rethink on closure plan
GYMPIE Regional Council in Queensland is having second thoughts about closing the popular Imbil Caravan Park. Its rethink comes after more than 150 local townsfolk and caravanners signed a protest petition complaining over the lack of consultations.

Highway patrol reels in illegal fish catch
INSPECTORS suspected something fishy about the caravan being hauled along the Bruce Highway in Queensland. And when the Boating and Fisheries officers intercepted the southbound rig at Home Hill they reeled in a couple of grey nomads allegedly with 126 whiting over the legal bag limit.

For stories from the last six editions of Caravanning News, click on the appropriate month:


August 2010	July 2010	June 2010	May 2010	April 2010	March 2010

Editor: Dennis Amor
PO Box 678
Caloundra
Queensland 4551
Australia
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NEWS DOWNLOADS REACH 95,000 MONTHLY

MORE and more caravanners are turning to Caravanning News to keep abreast of what's happening in the world of caravanning. Page downloads recently reached 95,000 monthly ... with more than 80 percent of visitors adding us to their favourites, too.

LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR

Toey over rule allowing 'L' platers to tow

IT is ridiculous to think that our Transport Department would give permission to these young drivers to tow a trailer up to 4.5 tonnes (click here to see story). I have held a drivers licence for some 50 years and I still have some issues about my ability to successfully tow our 'van. Luckily I have never had an accident while towing, but have had a couple of hair-raising situations where my experience was the only factor to save what could have been a nasty accident. These kids should have to attend a towing class to gain an open licence whilst holding their learner's plates.

John R.

Nambucca
receives the
thumbs down

WHAT a shame Nambucca council has taken the action of closing its showground to travellers (click here see story). I would have considered staying there on my way through but they have made up my mind now ... I will definitely not be staying in the Nambucca area.

John Field

Undercover
cat burglar

THAT article on the theft of undies (click here to see story) reminded me of a friend here in Karratha who has a problem with a cat burglar ... literally. A neighbour's cat was stealing socks and jocks from people around where they lived. The owner would collect all the "booty" and every month would go around his neighbours with a box asking for people to pick out their property. The owner had no idea how to stop the cat stealing the articles.

Alan and Joyce
Karratha

WORLD BRIEFS

The Caravan Channel in cyperspace

BRITAIN'S popular Caravan Channel TV show has been running for four years and has now launched a weekly online version. Take a look by clicking here or on the graphic above.

Castle site
tops with
Bellamy

BRITISH botanist David Bellamy says his favourite caravan site in the UK is Witton Castle in Durham. The Bishop Auckland holiday spot is near his home and features the medieval castle as its centrepiece.

REPENTANT thieves have returned a pet dog which was stolen along with an Austrian family's caravan. The crooks crept back to the Italian campsite and tied the West Highland Terrier to a fence ... but the caravan containing valuable and other property is still missing.

BRITAIN'S National Caravan Council stalwart Ian Mantle has died aged 90. He was a member of the organisation for more than 40 years and also a keen motor sport enthusiast.

THE upper crust island of Guernsey just off the French coast may soon welcome caravans ... but will enforce strict laws to ensure there will be no semi-permanent communities of caravanners.

FORMER Grampian Police chief inspector Irwin Barry, 72, died after a heart attack while holidaying with his family a caravan park at Huntly, Scotland.