CARAVANNING NEWS - June 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

June 2010

BREAKING NEWS

JUNE 30: Boy, 16, receives leg injuries when his trail bike collides with caravan on Great Northern Highway south of Mount Magnet, Western Australia.
JUNE 29: Caravanners report huge swarms of locusts clogging vehicle radiators in outback Queensland near Barcaldine.
JUNE 28: Investigations continue into fire which destroyed caravan at Homelands caravan park in Wadalba on NSW Central Coast.
JUNE 25: Charges at council-owned Coolum Caravan Park on Queensland's Sunshine Coast to soar by 22 percent.
JUNE 23: Despite fierce opposition, NSW's Newcastle City Council votes to slap a 15 percent increase in charges at its Stockton Beach Caravan Park.
JUNE 22: Police continue hunt for knifeman who slashed man across throat and hands at Bairnsdale caravan park, Victoria.
JUNE 22: Man injured fighting blaze which destroyed his caravan at Maleny, Queensland.
JUNE 21: Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort in Queensland will officially open its new million-dollar SPLASH interactive water park on June 24.
JUNE 21 Record crowds flock to Coffs Harbour 4WD, Caravan, Camping and Boat Show in NSW.
JUNE 20: Motorcyclist, 57, dies after overtaking caravan and colliding with truck on Bunya Highway 27km N of Dalby, Queensland.
JUNE 17: Woman, 50, taken to hospital after 4WD and Jayco Westport caravan overturn on Bruce Highway south of Caloundra, Queensland, this morning.
JUNE 16: Overjoyed exhibitors at Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Show in Brisbane reported $45 million worth of business.
JUNE 11: Investigations continuing after Queensland Fisheries officers seize hundreds of illegally-caught whiting from caravan in Townsville caravan park.
JUNE 10: Police baffled after wreckage of abandoned 4WD and caravan found at base of cliff at NSW's former goldrush town of Sofala, near Bathurst.
JUNE 8: Car and a caravan destroyed by fire on Burnett Highway at Barambah Creek Crossing near Goomeri, Queensland.
JUNE 5: Coromal caravans are now so popular that delivery dates for new Lifestyles and Princetons have blown out to April 2011, according to reports.
JUNE 3: Police investigating reports of looting at Lake Ainsworth Caravan Park, badly damaged in today's mini-tornado in NSW.

Media speculation prompts action

Mr Del Borrello

ASPEN CHANGES MANAGEMENT TEAM FOLLOWING RIFT RUMOURS

By DENNIS AMOR

THE Perth-based Aspen Group, which operates a network of caravan parks all over Australia, has replaced managing director Angelo Del Borrello after a reported rift in its management team. Executive director Gavin Hawkins takes his place. The group went into a stock market trading halt following media speculation over an alleged breakdown in the relationship between the board of directors and Mr Del Borrello. Aspen Group's share price fell from $2.73 to a low of 23c under Mr Del Borrello, who is the fifth-largest shareholder in Aspen, one of Western Australia's most go-ahead property companies. It stood at 46c on June 9, the day before the company requested a halt to trading. The group's Aspen Parks division was formed in 2004 and now owns a portfolio of 25 quality holiday destinations in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, with a total asset value of over $270 million.

Caravan accident scene on Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory

A SOUTH Australian couple had a miraculous escape when their caravan and car rolled on the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory. The 62-year-olds were taken to hospital with minor injuries, leaving emergency services and breakdown crews to clear the badly damaged rig from the accident scene north of Tennant Creek. The mishap was one of a number reported as the annual grey nomad migration to the warmer northern climes got underway. Photo courtesy NT Fire and Rescue Service

Bills affected viability of parks

GOVERNMENT WIPES OUT CRIPPLING TAX

Mr Marmion

By DENNIS AMOR

CARAVAN parks in Western Australia are over the moon after the State's crippling land tax was wiped from their running costs.

Amendments to the Land Tax Assessment Act 2002 mean caravan parks, park homes and camping grounds in the State will be exempt from the unpopular tax from next month.

Caravan Industry Association WA chief executive officer Pat Strahan told Caravanning News her organisation was "delighted" the tax had been axed.

"Caravan parks have been struggling to survive in WA and this will assist the long-term viability of parks, which play a major part in Western Australia's tourism industry," she said.

"In addition to the increase in land tax, there has been a major increase in electricity and water costs and these combined increases have been a factor in the closure of more than 22 parks over the past 15 years."

Bill Marmion, Minister assisting the Treasurer, said the Act currently provided only a 50 percent land tax concession for caravan parks, park homes and camping grounds. "From July 1, that exemption will be 100 percent," he revealed.

He said increases in land values had put financial pressure on caravan park owners who were being hit with huge increases in land tax bills which were impacting on the viability of parks as businesses.

TERRIFIED COUPLE TRAPPED IN CARAVAN AS THIEF MAKES OFF WITH THEIR RIG

AN ADELAIDE couple was recovering after a brazen thief made off with their new caravan ... while they were still inside. They were collecting the $40,000 Concept Ascot 'van from Northland Caravans in Main North Road, Blair Athol, and were checking out the interior when the crook jumped into their vehicle, which still had the keys in the ignition, and drove off. The terrified couple, who are in their sixties, and salesman were thrown around but luckily the thief abandoned the rig three streets away and escaped after colliding with a parked car. The couple and salesman were unhurt. It will cost about $2000 to repair the Riverland couple's caravan.

TOURISTS FLOCK BACK TO TORNADO-HIT PARK
THE Queen's Birthday weekend has seen tourists flocking to NSW's tornado-ravaged caravan park in droves. It took just 10 seconds to turn the attractive ocean-side BIG4 Lake Ainsworth Caravan Park in Lennox Head into something resembling a war zone on June 3. Caravans were hurled around like toys as the twister raced in from the ocean, but miraculously no one was hurt. Manager of the 294-site caravan park John Dineen told Caravanning News: "I have been through two cyclones in north Queensland, but they were nothing compared to this. It was incredible." He praised staff who had worked extremely hard, resulting in the park being 80 percent full for the Queen's Birthday long weekend holiday.

Campervan thief leaves grey nomad with just shorts and towel
CARAVANNERS have been asked to be on the lookout for a stolen Fiat campervan after a red-faced grey nomad was left with just his shorts and a towel at a NT nudist beach. The 69-year-old Queensland traveller had left the $100,000 vehicle, containing all his possessions, at the Casuarina beach free carpark near Darwin, but when he returned three-and-a-half hours later it had disappeared.

Hunt for missing caravanner
POLICE in WA fear for the welfare of a 68-year-old caravanner who could be in the Kalgoorlie area. Nothing has been heard from Ian Warren-Tibbetts since he left his home in the Perth suburb of Golden Bay and there are concerns for his well being. He could be driving a 2002 silver Holden Rodeo with SA registration XRC 592 towing a 1981 beige poptop caravan with WA registration 1TKZ 873. He is described as 178cm tall, of solid build with blue eyes and blond hair. When last seen he was wearing navy tracksuit pants, green polo shirt with white stripes on the shoulders and khaki desert boots. Anyone with information should contact Mandurah Police on (08) 9581 0222 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

'Whiz-bang' technology brings new breed of caravanner
MOVE over you grey nomads ... today's travellers are getting younger, thanks to the onslaught of 'whiz-bang' technologies. A more youthful generation is being lured into caravanning by the affordable price tag and ability to 'stay connected' while away from home.

Failed appeal casts doubt on further Geist imports
THE future of Geist caravan imports into Australia has been thrown further into doubt, it has been revealed. This follows news that LMC, who build the caravans at its Germany factory, has failed in its appeal to secure funds from the sale of liquidated stock after the demise of the leading Australian importer.

Fears over Funny Dunny's future
IT'S called Funny Dunny Park ... a well-known spot for a couple of nights free camping for caravanners and other travellers in North Queensland. But there are fears over its future after the people of Wunjunga decided that control of the area – complete with designer toilet – should pass to Burdekin Shire Council.

ACC muster a great opportunity to exchange stories
ABOUT 60 members of the Australian Caravan Club gathered in Victoria for a weekend muster. During the 30-caravan gathering at the four-star Marong Caravan & Cabin Village, members of the club's Southern Nomads branch from all over the state exchanged stories of their caravanning adventures.

Park heads for $1m turnover
TIM and Sophie Bone are toasting seven months of success since opening their Victorian caravan park last year, with their $7 million investment already starting to pay dividends. The BIG4 Bellarine Peninsula Park has accommodated over 8500 guests since opening last September and is on track to turn over more than $1 million by the end of this month - 15 percent more than initial estimates.

Free seminar could help travellers save tax
WITH costs ever spiralling upwards and many travellers having to watch every last cent, a special seminar could help with finances. A free seminar will be held on the Gold Coast next month for anyone interested in learning how to claim their travels against tax.

Helen pleads for better beds in disabled units
DISABLED pensioner Helen Boemia enjoyed her three-week holiday at a South Australian caravan park ... but has made an impassioned plea for better beds. Helen and husband Lance booked a disabled unit at a park on the Yorke Peninsula and all was going well ... until she attempted to climb into the queen-size bed.

Multi-million dollar upgrade for park saved from redevelopers
A BRISBANE caravan park, saved from redevelopers, is undergoing a multi-million dollar upgrade. The State Government-owned Monte Carlo Caravan Park on the city's southside is having roads widened and resurfaced, new kerbs and gutters installed and improved power supplies for its 136 sites.

Craig's plastic 'van paves way for DIY enthusiasts
PIONEERING Craig Young is setting a new trend in home-built caravans. For the adventurous single father of two young children believes he is the first in Australia to construct an all-plastic caravan from scratch.

Permanent site entitlements axed in Victoria
CARAVANNERS will no longer be able to permanently occupy sites at Crown land camping and caravan parks in Victoria. New rules will force out long-term holidaymakers in favour of casuals as part of a management shake-up affecting the State's 175 public caravan parks. Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said this would be fairer to everyone.
Campers with 12-month site leases are currently allowed to roll over their entitlements every year without park managers offering the sites to anyone else.

Free parking 'would rob caravan parks of business'
THERE were fears that free parking in a South Australian city would rob caravan parks of business, the local deputy mayor has claimed. His comment follows concerns that caravanners were avoiding the industrial centre of Port Pirie, located on the eastern shores of the Spencer Gulf, because of a shortage of parking facilities.

Landowners seek to turn properties into caravan parks
A NEW South Wales council is sifting through offers from private landowners anxious to turn their properties into much needed caravan parks. Byron Shire Council had appealed for expressions of interest from owners of at least one hectare of reasonably flat land which could be turned into caravan parks with a mix of tourist sites and manufactured homes.

Locals oppose plans for new caravan park
VICTORIA'S Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has received 11 objections to a proposed new 149-site camping and caravan park. The council is likely to deliver its decision in September after considering residents' protests against the development in Bungower Rd, Mornington North.

Residents rejoice as flood-prone park reprieved
RESIDENTS are celebrating a decision not to close their flood-prone park in New South Wales. Lismore Tourist Caravan Park in the State's north, which offers a mix of tourist and permanent sites, will instead undergo a revamp in a bid to prevent further serious flooding.

Caravanners shrug off interest rate rises
THREE consecutive interest rate rises have failed to dampen the enthusiasm of caravanners, according to Queensland's caravan industry. "We've noticed a renewed confidence," Caravanning Queensland's chief executive officer Ron Chapman explained.

Repairer fined after gas blast hurls woman through 'van door
A CARAVAN repair business has been fined $20,000 after a gas explosion hurled a woman through the door of her caravan. A Queensland court heard that gas pipes to the caravan's refrigerator were incorrectly reconnected after repairs to the floor.

Time warp as caravans gather on banks of mighty Murray
VISITORS to a Victorian caravan park could be forgiven for thinking they had stepped back in time. For gathered at the banks of the mighty Murray River were 60 vintage caravans, many decorated with period items marking their year of manufacture.

Authority eyes up council parks
THE Land and Property Management Authority is understood to be interested in taking control of five council-managed caravan parks in northern NSW. Talks are expected to be held over the future of the Hat Head, Crescent Head, Grassy Head, Stuarts Point and Horseshoe Bay holiday parks, currently under the control of Kempsey Shire Council.

Firies' warning to grey nomads
QUEENSLAND Fire and Rescue Service is warning grey nomad travellers to check their caravans carefully before heading north this winter. The service says caravans and mobile homes have many potential fire ignition points,

Angry words exchanged at RV-friendly meeting
MOVES to turn Warwick in Queensland into an RV-friendly town resulted in a rowdy meeting. Angry words were exchanged at the forum organised by the local Chamber of Commerce, with president John Randall at one stage threatening to abandon the meeting attended by about a hundred people.

Travellers urged to beware tiny stowaways
CARAVANNERS arriving at the Wudinna caravan park on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula have been warned to beware of uninvited guests. A plague of mice is worrying locals, and caravanners have been advised to keep their doors closed to prevent any pesky rodents stowing away in their mobile homes.

Gateway caravanners pay more
HAULING a caravan across Brisbane's Gateway Bridge now costs nearly a dollar more. "A privately registered car or 4WD towing a caravan is Class 2 and pays $3.85 to cross the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge (formerly Gateway Bridge)," Queensland Motorways spokeswoman Susan Alvarez told Caravanning News. Tolls increased on July 1. The heavily-used bridge links the Gold and Sunshine coasts, popular holiday destinations for caravanners.

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.

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
Click to send email

CLICK HERE TO SEND COMMENTS OR
STORY IDEAS TO CARAVANNING NEWS

Sign Guestbook View Guestbook

Web pages designed and produced by Dennis Amor

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without
the prior written permission of Caravanning News.

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

Continue
the good
work please

I FEEL I must write to congratulate Caravanning News on its efforts to keep us caravanners informed. It's amazing that we can enjoy your magazine without having to pay for the service. I look forward to reading it every month. Thank you and continue the good work please.

Ellizabeth Murray
ACT

Waving a sad farewell to old times

HOW times change! We are Victorians who enjoy travelling to Queensland every year for the good weather rather than shiver our way through winter in the south. We can remember when caravanners used to give us a cheery wave when they passed us on the highways but we've noticed over the past couple of years that fewer bother these days. Is camaraderie a dying thing?

Happy nomads,
Melbourne

New life for vintage caravans

INTERESTING stories in last month's Caravanning News highlighted vintage caravans. It's so good to see these forerunners of the modern caravan being given new leases of life and turning up at our caravan parks and camping sites.

Harry Batchelor
South Australia

WORLD BRIEFS

TV caravan show hits cyberspace

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.

Life's a brick in this caravan

CARAVANNING is a brick in Kiwiland! An eye-catching caravan, crafted from bricks by artist Peter Lange, has been bought for $24,000 by Trust Waikato and will now tour the region.

UK CARAVAN insurance provider Safeguard has released statistics showing a 62 percent rise in 20 to 30-year-olds wanting to take out caravan and motorhome cover.

MOTORHOMERS in New Zealand recently went on a litter-gathering morning, blaming freedom campers in non self-contained RVs for a rise in complaints about human waste and rubbish at parking spots.

LAOIS Co Council in Ireland is clamping down after caravans filled to overflowing with garbage were dumped or set alight. Its new policy will see offenders named and shamed in the local media.

CARAVANS were turned into impromptu polling stations during Britain's general election. And reflecting the country's soaring crime figures, wheel clamps were fitted to those on Seaton beach carpark in Cornwall and at Ford near Salisbury.

THE Spanish tourist office in Berlin has warned that caravanners in Spain are only allowed to overnight in specially signposted areas ... and everywhere else is forbidden.

EFFORTS to set up a caravan park in the very centre of England have met angry opposition. Villagers prevented a group of travellers with mechanical diggers from starting work on a parcel of green-belt land at Meriden south of Birmingham.

IT'S not unusual to catch a glimpse of soccer superstar and millionaire David Beckham with wife Victoria staying at American trailer (caravan) parks as he attempts to keep a low profile in his RV, according to Britain's News of the World newspaper.