CARAVANNING NEWS - July 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

July 2010

BREAKING NEWS

JULY 31: Police believe caravanner towing white poptop and driving dark 4WD could help them after Harley-Davidson rider seriously injured in accident on M7 at Horsley Park, NSW.
JULY 30: Caravanners stranded as heavy rains cause flooding in White Cliffs, New South Wales.
JULY 28: Fans from all over Australia flock to Valla Beach Tourist Park near Nambucca Heads in NSW for this weekend's 18th Volkswagen Spectacular.
JULY 28: Man receives multiple stab wounds in altercation at Mudgeeraba Caravan Village on Queensland's Gold Coast.
JULY 26: Adria caravans dealer Euro RV at Moorooka in Brisbane goes into voluntary administration.
JULY 21: WA police issue urgent plea to grey nomads to take extra care after four crashes involving caravans in the remote Pilbara region in as many days.
JULY 21: Electoral enrolments in NT soar as southern grey nomads rush to secure their voting rights in upcoming federal election.
JULY 20: Caravanner, 75, dies when rig in which he was passenger overturns on North West Coastal Highway near Pannawonica in WA.
JULY 20: NSW couple in 70s taken to hospital after their caravan rolled and disintegrated on Bruce Highway near Cooroy, Queensland.
JULY 18: Caravanners escape with minor injuries in fiery crash on Carpentaria Hwy in NT. Rig careered down incline and other vehicle caught fire in crash nr Cape Crawford.
JULY 17: Police urge travellers to steer clear of unsealed roads in remote Northern Territory after reports of 4WDs and camper trailers becoming bogged after heavy rains. One family of campers stranded for five days before being rescued.
JULY 17: Victorian caravanner, 81, dies in horror smash on Pacific Hwy near Port Macquarie, NSW. Her husband, 83, treated in hospital and released.
JULY 15: Fugitive arrested at 70-site Ouyen Caravan Park on Victoria's Calder Highway after high-speed police chase.
JULY 14: Man, 73, rushed to hospital after tree crashes onto cabin at four-star Silver Creek Caravan Park in Beechworth, Victoria.
JULY 14: Powered sites during peak periods at Newcastle's 3.5-star Stockton Beach Caravan and Tourist Park soar to $46 a night after local council approves raft of increases.
JULY 13: Battle over rising annual site fees at Aspen parks in Victoria's Echuca and Moama areas gathers momentum.
JULY 12: Plucky girl, 13, fights blaze with garden hose after faulty electric blanket sets caravan on fire at Goodwood, Tasmania.
JULY 12: Travellers being turned away from caravan parks in Katherine as flood of sun-seeking southern grey nomads swamp NT.
JULY 11: Caravan overturns on remote stretch of Barkly Highway about 50km west of Mt Isa, Queensland.
JULY 10: NSW Lands Minister Tony Kelly promises $50,000 to help with repairs and upgrades at tornado-ravaged Lake Ainsworth Tourist Park in Lennox Head.
JULY 10: Police warn caravanners to take care of property after spate of thefts at Hervey Bay caravan parks, Queensland.
JULY 10: Flinders Caravan Park on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula expected to fetch over $5m at auction on July 25.
JULY 8: Battle launched to block 24hr Woolworths service station from being opened next to 4-star Tree Haven Tourist Park on Princes Highway at Bomaderry, NSW.
JULY 7: Police hunt vandals who flushed socks filled with rapid-set cement down toilets at Calliope River rest area off Bruce Highway near Gladstone, Queensland.
JULY 7: Man arrested at Heatherbrae caravan park on Pacific Hwy in NSW after armed robbery at local fast food takeway.
JULY 6: Caravanners help rescue five fishermen after boat swamped near Cotton Tree Caravan Park on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
JULY 6: This year's Caravan, Camping RV and Holiday Supershow at Rosehill Racecourse in NSW attracted more visitors than any other show of its kind in Australia, claims CCIA.
JULY 6: Local shire council to buy 85-site Apex Riverside Caravan Park at Forbes in NSW for undisclosed sum.
JULY 5: Major caravan shows in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane generated $2m in sales for Adria caravans, say importers RV Asia Pacific.
JULY 3: Grey nomads petition Bundaberg Regional Council in Queensland after seniors' discounts axed at Finemore caravan park.

Action committee fights 20 percent site hike

ANNUAL site renters at a Victorian caravan park have formed an action committee to fight rising fees. They are protesting over a 20 percent site hike at Aspen-owned Yarraby Caravan Park in Echuca to around $5200 a year. Caravanner Robert Allen told Caravanning News the committee had already contacted local MPs, the Australian Competition and Consumer Committee and Consumer Affairs. "As annuals, we have few rights," he said. "A meeting of over 500 annuals was held recently to discuss further action." Caravanning News contacted Aspen Parks but was told by spokesman Martin Cotterell: "Aspen Parks will not be making any comment."

Nomads an important source of skills

FIRST A COUNCIL BAN, THEN WELCOME MAT

By DENNIS AMOR

A QUEENSLAND council which clamped down on caravanners free-camping in its area now believes they could have something to offer its region.

Bundaberg Regional Council suggests grey nomads could provide an important source of skills and employment, making its point in a submission to a State Government inquiry into grey nomad tourism.

Mayor Lorraine Pyefinch has previously criticised caravanners and other tourists, many of them from overseas, who overnight for free in certain areas of the region.

Furious caravanners attacked the council when it banned them from the popular beachside Norval Park camping area, where families had holidayed for generations.

And recently, the council decided it would erect no-camping signs at Bargara and the carpark outside Turtle Sands at Mon Repos where the holiday park no longer caters for caravanners.

Meanwhile, a Queensland Member of Parliament believes grey nomads should be rewarded when they use their skills to help rural communities.

In a submission to the inquiry, Member for Springwood Barbara Stone said they could be encouraged with reduced vehicle registration fees ... or even a fuel subsidy.

Caravanners expecting more: new Chamber chief
THE manager of a NSW Mid North Coast caravan park, who has just become the new leader of his local chamber of commerce, has warned that caravanners are beginning to expect more for their holiday dollar. "Caravanning has become very popular over the last few years and the caravan park industry is becoming increasingly competitive," Hawks Nest Beach Holiday Park's Colin Wheeler told Caravanning News.

Furious travellers threaten boycott over rising park fees
ANGRY caravanners, who staged a public meeting and organised a petition over rising site fees, are threatening to boycott Queensland's Sunshine Coast. About 200 travellers, many of them grey nomads on a tight budget, gathered to express their discontent after hearing that charges at council-operated caravan parks are to increase.

RV-friendly towns 'breaking the law'
SOME NSW councils taking part in an RV-friendly scheme are breaking the law, according to the Caravan & Camping Industry Association of NSW. Chief executive Barry Baillee said it involved a few councils which had been given 'RV Friendly Town' status by the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia.

Jayco opens new $7m factory
AUSTRALIA'S major caravan builder Jayco will begin production at its new $7 million factory in Victoria this month. It will mean an extra 60 jobs immediately and up to 100 before the end of this year at the Dandenong South facility, which is geared to produce 500 more caravans annually.

Park's takeaway booze plan rejected
A Northern Territory outback caravan park has been refused permission to sell takeaway alcohol and provide gaming facilities. Despite support from travellers, the Lazy Lizard's beer garden plan was thrown out by the NT Licensing Commission, which accused the park of "licence creep".

Spectacular eclipse beats the movie
WHILE Australian Twilight Saga fans waited patiently for the Eclipse movie to be released, caravanners on the east coast enjoyed their own eclipse spectacular. Travellers overnighting in NSW and Queensland coastal areas had a front-row seat as nearly half the full moon slowly vanished under the Earth's shadow.

Council sets annual fees for park leases
YORKE Peninsula District Council in South Australia has decided on yearly lease fees for its caravan parks. They will begin at six percent of gross takings, rising by one percent annually to 10 percent. Fees have reportedly been the subject of heated discussions between the council and the Stansbury, Coobowie and Edithburgh progress committees.

'Illegal' fish catch could cost caravanner $100,000
A CARAVANNER faces a fine of up to $100,000 after being allegedly nabbed with hundreds of illegally caught fish in Queensland. Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers armed with a search warrant reportedly seized 328 whiting when they swooped on the traveller's RV at a Townsville caravan park.

Travellers urged to check electrical gear
TRAVELLERS have been urged to double check the safety of their onboard electrical appliances as they hit the road in their caravans. Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick said a simple check of electrical items could save holiday hiccups and even lives by helping people to avoid malfunctioning appliances and electric shocks.

Royal honour for street kid turned caravan dealer
A FORMER New South Wales caravan dealer who now dedicates his life to helping abused, neglected and homeless children has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday honours. Former street kid William Campbell, 73, told Caravanning News he was very surprised but honoured to receive a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) medal.

Hero five may receive police award
FIVE people who helped save the life of a grey nomad at a NSW caravan park are being considered for a police award. They leapt into action with CPR when the 68-year-old caravanner suffered a heart attack at the 150-site Gwydir Carapark in Moree.

SPLASH water park Park splashes out on $1m water attraction
ABOUT 70 people attended the official opening of a Queensland caravan park's $1 million interactive water attraction. Formally launching the SPLASH water feature at the 28-acre BIG4 Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort, Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive officer Daniel Gschwind congratulated everyone behind the development.

Hot news from NSW park
THE New England Rods and Customs Club raised $2000 during its annual Hot Rod Run at Armidale's four-star Pembroke Tourist and Leisure caravan park in NSW. The money has been donated to the local Community Cancer Assist Fund and the palliative care team from Community Health.

John Corrall Oz Parks chief hands over the reins
THE leader of the Oz Parks go-ahead chain of caravan parks has retired from his position as chief executive officer. John Corrall, who founded the organisation with wife Jane five years ago, has handed over the reins to Michael Guthrie, younger brother of Noel Guthrie who built up the Family Parks chain.

Free-campers 'sending park operators broke'
CARAVAN park operators in the Northern Territory say they are going broke as more and more travellers use rest areas for free camping. The Territory's Caravan Parks Association claims the roadside areas are being used as "de facto caravan sites", with Shadow Transport spokesman Adam Giles claiming he saw up to 50 caravans at a rest area near the Devil's Marbles.

Sleep under stars ... and help charity at same time
THOUSANDS of Aussies are being invited to enjoy a free night under the stars ... courtesy of the nation's biggest chain of caravan and holiday parks. The unique national Come Camp with BIG4 will be held on November 5 at specially selected BIG4 holiday parks and is expected to be even bigger than last year's event.

Bathers set to sink to make way for homes
THE end is nigh for a half-century-old iconic caravan park in WA. Esperance Shire Council has announced that Bathers Paradise Caravan Park will close. But park manager Denise Foster told Caravanning News that although it was sad, "nothing lasts for ever".

Gary and Trudy Grant Killarney celebrates after collecting tourism awards
A QUEENSLAND caravan park is celebrating after being honoured at the 2010 Warwick Business Excellence Awards. Owners of the Killarney View Cabins and Caravan Park Gary and Trudy Grant collected the Tourism and Hospitality Award and also took out the Highly Commended Award.

Roamers heading to Yamba
BOROMA caravan owners will stage their 2010 Boroma Roamers Rally in New South Wales. Dozens of Boromas are expected to roll up for the event at the BIG4 Clarence Coast Resort in Yamba from November 5-7.

Show reaps in $45m as visitors spend big
OVERJOYED exhibitors reaped in around $45 million in business during Australia's biggest caravan show. Although attendance was slightly down at the Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show, visitors were ready and willing to open their cheque books or flash their credit cards as they toured about 300 stands.

Club aims to host national rally
THE 150-member Canberra Caravan Club wants to host the 2016 National Caravan Rally in the Australian Capital Territory. It last hosted the event in 1983 when the club welcomed over 600 caravanners to the national capital.

Parks welcome kids for free
DOZENS of caravan parks will welcome children with open arms for the next two months ... and it won't cost parents a cent. The Kids Stay Free promotion will give families an opportunity to get away for a cheaper weekend or short break.

Stamp duty abolished
STAMP duty has been axed on applications to register caravans and camper trailers in the ACT. ACT Treasurer Katy Gallagher said the move would be welcomed by the caravan and camping industry.

Adria merchandise Adria owners can now dress the part
AS more and more European-built Adria caravans hit Australian roads, their owners can now dress the part. Importers and distributors RV Asia Pacific has announced that a range of Adria branded clothing is now available online.

Record crowds expected at Penrith expo
EXHIBITORS are bracing themselves for record crowds at the forthcoming Penrith Caravan, Camping & Holiday Expo in New South Wales. The news comes as Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW chief executive Barry Baillee reports a return in consumer confidence.

Helping you plan your show visits
THOUSANDS of enthusiasts will flock to caravan and camping shows this year. And to help you plan your visits, Caravanning News has compiled a list of dates and venues of upcoming events.

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


June 2010	May 2010	April 2010	March 2010	February 2010	January 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

Couple all alone during their
ride of terror

REFERRING to the story in last month's Caravanning News about the couple trapped inside their caravan as a thief drove it away (click here to see story). I always thought the captain remained with his sinking ship (and I'm drawing an analogy here). But what did the salesman do? He leapt to safety, leaving his customers all alone during their ride of terror in their new caravan. Good one mate!

A.H.,
South Australia

Keeping park managers well informed

THANKS for keeping us up to date with board rumblings at the Aspen Group (see story here). I followed your stories as they were revised, keeping us caravan park managers well informed as developments happened. I really appreciated this.

Name withheld on request

Still possible to get popular 'vans

WOW, you were correct about the new Coromal Lifestyle and Princetons being booked out 'til April, 2011 (see Breaking News). However, most dealers have 'vans and poptops available now as well as current orders in the system (ie: it is possible to still get a 'van this year). Keep up the good work (avid reader for years). We displayed close to 50 campers, poptops and caravans at the Brisbane show.

John Sills
Coromal Sunshine Coast

Affordability in doubt as annual site prices soar

ASPEN look like they are trying to keep profits high, with the recent increases announced to annual site holders at Yarraby in Echuca, Victoria. While any tourist site increases are yet unannounced, the increase in rates to annual site holders for 2010/2011 is by 20 percent. (eg $3900 per annum to $4780) This has been with an apparent drop in services, capital developments and staffing levels at the park. One can only imagine if this is going across the whole Aspen group and what this will do to the affordability of a stay at an Aspen park.

Name withheld on request

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.

Silver bullets back in vogue

AN American RV dealer is bringing back a big slice of nostalgia. Airstream Adventures Northwest has started selling a new generation of Airstream people are flocking to his salesyard in Portland, Oregon. Airstream is the oldest manufacturer of recreational vehicles in the world, with its list of showbiz users including Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock.

CASH-strapped hotel manager Nigel Mather, 44, and his 39-year-old wife Sharon were enjoying a budget caravan holiday in Minehead, Somerset, with their two young sons when they bought a Lucky Dip EuroMillions lottery ticket ... and scooped a cool $A22 million.

THE British-produced Land Rover Discovery has been named best towcar of 2010 in the country's annual Towcar Awards.

BRITAIN'S National Motor Museum Trust at Beaulieu and The Caravan Club have launched an online exhibition showcasing caravan road rallying in the UK.

SCOTTISH caravanner Cathy Gunn, 61, is convinced extraterrestrials are keeping an eye on us after spotting a UFO in the night sky north of Inverness. She says she saw the "glowing, tumbling light" while returning to her caravan after an evening function.

GERMAN RV manufacturer Burstner has launched its first caravan with a fold-down bed, creating a comfortable daytime seating area in its trendy Averso Plus.

A KITE surfer, 44, was seriously injured when a gust of wind hurled him into a caravan at the popular Lake Neusiedl camping area on the Austrian-Hungarian border. The body of water is Central Europe’s second largest steppe lake.