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Caravanning News is registered with the National Library of Australia's PANDORA archive |
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Readership: Up
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Warning to campers as battle continues against Inskip gastro CARAVANNERS and other
campers planning to head to Queensland's Inskip Point for the festive
season have been warned of restricted sites. The news comes as
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) continues to battle an
outbreak of gastroenteritis at the popular camping area east of Gympie.
The number of holiday revellers will be capped to existing bookings only
up until December 24 in some camping areas. "Queensland Health has
provided expert advice on this issue and recommended QPWS reduce camper
numbers and temporarily close camping areas in a staged approach, to limit
the spread of the illness," QPWS said.
Council invites comments on redeveloping caravan parks QUEENSLAND'S
Fraser Coast Regional Council has appealed for comments on master plans to
redevelop caravan parks at Pialba and Torquay. "This is the
community's chance to tell us what features and facilities they would like
to see in refurbished council-owned caravan parks," caravan enthusiast Cr
Jade Wellings said. It is anticipated that feedback on the concept plans
will be presented to the council next year. The council owns four
beachfront tourist caravan parks and is preparing master plans to guide
their future development. It has allocated $22 million to the
redevelopment over five years, with work already well underway at the
Scarness park.
'Insurance a stumbling block' CIAA welcomes Govt's tourism recovery report
A GOVERNMENT report
spelling out the way forward for the nation's visitor economy has been
welcomed by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia.
Concern over RVs with potentially
AUSTRALIA'S consumer
watchdog has again issued an appeal to caravanners who could have a
potentially lethal water heater in their recreational vehicle.
The Australian Competition
and Consumer Commission (ACCC) urges them to check for dangerous
Suburban-branded dual fuel gas/electric heaters before setting off on post
COVID-lockdown holidays. It is concerned that more
than 50 percent of the units could emit deadly odourless carbon monoxide
if used in gas mode. There are still over 8300
consumers who have not registered their water heaters for a free
inspection.
Council welcomes ACCC survey THE Caravan Council of
Australia has welcomed a new survey by the nation's consumer watchdog on
possible consumer law issues in the caravan industry. The Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission revealed it
has received more than 1300 reports about the industry
in the last five years. Common complaints included retailers
selling new caravans not meeting consumer guarantees, and faults leading
to disputes between manufacturers and retailers about which party is
responsible for repair costs. "We are looking
for further information from consumers and industry about the issues they
have had with their caravans and their experience trying to get their
concerns fixed," the ACCC said. "This
information will help to inform our future work, including possible
enforcement action." Caravan Council of Australia general
manager Colin Young (pictured) commented: "This
is an excellent opportunity for all highly-aggrieved 'vanners to help
appreciably improve the professionalism of the industry." He believed it
would improve the compliance, safety, quality and after-sales service of
caravans marketed in Australia.
Brisbane event takes a jab at aiding Qld's tourism recovery MORE than
16,000 enthusiasts flocked to the recent four-day Let’s Go Brisbane
Caravan and Outdoor Sale. And in a first for organisers Caravanning
Queensland, this year's event at the Brisbane Showgrounds was home to an
onsite COVID-19 vaccination site. Visitors and exhibitors alike took the
opportunity to get vaccinated at the Queensland Health pop-up clinic, with
more than 120 vaccinations being administered over the weekend.
Caravanning Queensland Trade chief executive Jason Plant said the event's
high attendance in 2020 and 2021 showed just how keen Queenslanders were
to explore their own backyards. Scott Hopkins and his
family (pictured) travelled all the way from Hervey Bay for the event,
where they bought their very first RV.
GoFundMe plea after Jay and Muffin escape caravan inferno By Dennis Amor
THE daughter of 61yo
widowed grey nomad whose Colonial caravan was burned to the ground in a
fireball on Queensland's Bruce Hwy has launched a $4000 GoFundMe appeal.
Wildlife carer Jay Boden and pet dog Muffin, who had been on the road for
18 months, escaped the inferno near Townsville. "Mum and Muffin were safe
but her caravan, which she worked on and made feel truly like a tiny home
on wheels, is completely gone," Kate Halliwell said. "She has lost all her
possessions, including clothes, sewing machine, knitting needles and wool
(mum knits children's toys and clothes for
charity and tiny baby clothes for premmie
babies)." Kate said her mother was insured. "I
hope to raise some funds to help her while she waits for claims to be
processed," she explained. "Mum has been through
a lot even before this accident, and I hope we can help her out, as she
has always been an example to me as a person who is truly kind and
charitable to others." Jay's insurance company is paying for
her and Muffin to stay in a dog-friendly cabin
at a Townsville camping ground. More than 30 people have already donated
to the fund, raising more than $3000.
Free towing checks courtesy Wagga Wagga council CARAVANNERS in
the Wagga Wagga area are being invited to have their RV and
tow vehicle
weighed before heading off on their travels. The local city council is
giving away a limited number of vouchers for a free caravan towing vehicle
check. This follows a significant rise in the number of caravans back on
the roads as holidaymakers make the most of domestic getaways across NSW.
Road Safety Officer Emma Reynolds said the popularity of caravanning has
grown 30 percent since the COVID pandemic started, a statistic which had
also increased potential for more unsafe vehicles on the roads. "Towing a
caravan takes more concentration than driving your car as your vehicle
becomes much heavier, wider, longer and taller," she said. "It's harder to
move and much harder to stop – so allow extra time and space for all
manoeuvres, including overtaking and turning corners." Issues with speed
and load were common causes of crashes, which often started with a swaying
vehicle that could end with a rollover, she added.
Industry watchdog launches survey for purchasers of new caravans AUSTRALIANS who have
recently bought a new caravan are being urged to take part in an
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission survey about possible
consumer law issues in the industry. The ACCC has received more than
1300 reports about the caravan industry over the past five years. Common
complaints include retailers selling new caravans that do not meet
consumer guarantees, and faults leading to disputes between manufacturers
and retailers about which party is responsible for the cost of repairs.
"The caravan industry has experienced strong sales growth in recent years,
and this is expected to increase as more Australians choose to travel
domestically rather than overseas due to the ongoing pandemic," ACCC
deputy chair Delia Rickard (pictured) said.
Barkandji to manage spruced up Menindee Lakes Caravan Park
MENINDEE Lakes Caravan Park in NSW's
Far West, which this year underwent a $750,000 facelift, will be handed to
the region's traditional owners in a landmark agreement for
the region.
The State's Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – Crown Lands
will work with the Barkandji Registered Native Title Body Corporate to
progressively transfer management and ownership over the next 12 months.
The park was brought under the Department's management in August last
year. The handover is regarded as an important acknowledgement of
Barkandji's traditional links to land from which they will be able to
manage and benefit. The park, on a Crown land reserve on the eastern
shores of Lake Menindee, was established in the early 1960s and was a
popular weekend recreational area for residents of the Broken Hill region
with its caravan, camping and cabin accommodation in a stunning outback
location. For caravan park visitors, there will be no change to the use
and enjoyment of the park in the immediate future. Barkandji Registered
Native Title Group Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Derek Hardman
welcomed the transfer as a positive step forward.
'Incredibly challenging times' cost Ingenia a whopping $10 million By Dennis Amor HOLIDAY and lifestyle
parks operator Ingenia Communities today revealed a $10
million loss in revenue caused by COVID-related closures and
restrictions. But with the easing of
travel restrictions it was seeing strong forward demand in its holiday
parks business. Speaking at the company's virtual annual general meeting,
managing director and chief executive Simon Owen said the situation for
most businesses had been "incredibly challenging" but Ingenia had
demonstrated the inherent value and resilience of the platform built over
the past decade and the attractiveness of sectors in which it had focused
growth on. "Revenue holdings per park through to June, 2022, were up 26
percent compared to last year, supporting our view that the rebound in
holidays performance will be strong, as it was when the market reopened
last year," he said. Chairman Jim Hazel said guidance for the current
financial year took into account the material impact of government
restrictions on Ingenia's holiday parks in NSW
and Victoria. They had been constrained in their
operations for four months of this financial year and
were subject to no changes in market or operating conditions.
Call for parks to be provided with chargers for new age of EVs By Dennis Amor TRAVELLERS have supported
a call from the nation's peak caravan industry body for the Federal
Government to help holiday parks provide electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia has acknowledged the Federal
Government's Future Fuel Fund, whose first funding round will see
over 400 public fast charging stations for EVs rolled out nationwide. But
it wants to see caravan parks included in the funding. Traveller Simon
Lapwood said the new age of EVs was fast approaching and there would be a
need for more chargers, including at RV parks. "Let's not dawdle on this,"
he told Caravanning News. "Electric cars are becoming very popular.
Now is the time to move into top gear and prepare for a flood of the new
generation of vehicles."
Gold rush city throwing down welcome mat for RV travellers THE Gympie region, which
straddles the busy Bruce Highway in Queensland, is throwing down the
welcome mat for caravanners and other RV travellers. The local
regional council plans to provide six new free overnight
areas for the booming "grey nomad" tourism
industry. The former gold rush city already provides free overnight
camping at six locations but will offer new ones
at Amamoor, Gunalda, Gympie Showgrounds, Kilkivan, Tin Can Bay and a
second Kandanga park. Its rest areas alongside the major highway on the
fringe of the city centre are often full to overflowing at holiday times.
The proposed new facilities would all be provided on council land.
Councillor Jess Milne (pictured) raised concerns
that a new site near the coastal town of Tin Can Bay would take tourism
business away from existing accommodation providers. There was already
illegal camping in the area and she believed
there would be risk of travellers abusing the proposed 72-hour limit
proposed at the new site.
$270,000 government handout THE Victorian Government
is providing $270,000 to upgrade an historic 22-site caravan park at the
gateway to the Silo Art Trail and overlooking the town of St Arnaud.
The funding is part of a $2.8-plus million investment in caravan park
upgrades across the Wimmera and Southern Mallee regions. Located on Crown
land owned by Department of Environment Land Water and Planning, the
leased St Arnaud Caravan Park has seen a downturn in visitor numbers
during the Coronavirus pandemic. Its popularity was also impacted by the
absence of a waste disposal point for caravan users within the park. The
funding will bring the park in line with the expectations of modern
caravan park users making it a more attractive stay.
Victoria's caravan
industry gongs all VICTORIA'S caravan
industry Hall of Fame and Business Awards have been given the go-ahead for
next month. Caravan Industry Victoria said the December 3 event would
provide an opportunity for member businesses and individuals to be
recognised for their outstanding work, achievement, commitment and
dedication to the industry. The 2020 awards were
cancelled and there have been several postponements in 2021 due to
COVID-19. Chief executive Rob Lucas said he was "pleased" to confirm the
awards would now go ahead. They would recognise business and individuals
for outstanding achievement from July 2020 to June 30 2021. Tickets for
the event, which will
be held "in person" at
The Centre Ivanhoe in Upper Heidelberg Road, are sold
out but businesses wishing to attend can join the wait list by emailing
events@ciavic.com.au. Click here for full list
of award finalists.
A MAN has been charged after the alleged abduction of four-year-old Cleo Smith from a caravan and camping ground in Western Australia. Terence Darrell Kelly, 36, has been remanded in custody until December 6. He is charged with forcibly or fraudulently taking or enticing a child under 16. Cleo is now safely with her parents after disappearing for nearly three weeks from the remote Blowholes camping ground, 75km from Carnarvon. Photo: Cleo in hospital after her ordeal.
Kiwis 'excited' to welcome back Aussies
Camplify
becomes NZ's biggest By Dennis Amor CAMPLIFY has
entered into an agreement to fully acquire Mighway and SHAREaCAMPER
business and assets in Australia and New Zealand from Tourism Holdings.
Shares in the NSW-based company rose 11 percent within hours of the
announcement. The takeover positions Camplify as the largest peer-to-peer
marketplace operator in New Zealand by adding an additional 900-plus RVs
to its platform. Chief executive and founder Justin Hales
(pictured) commented: "The timing is ideal. Our
New Zealand growth performance has already been strong, and with the
expected return of unrestricted Australia and New Zealand travel, our New
Zealand-based RV owners are excited about welcoming back Aussies in 2022."
Tourism Holdings chief executive Grant Webster said it would help his
company to benefit from the scale developed by Camplify. "We look forward
to assisting Camplify's continued growth in their New Zealand and
Australian operations as they build on the success of Mighway and
SHAREaCAMPER to date," he added.
The transaction
is expected to be completed
by the end of November.
Pandemic's idle caravans in need of checks, says council THE Caravan Council of
Australia has issued an appeal for owners to give their caravans the
once-over, particularly those which have been sitting idle because of
COVID travel restrictions. "It is extremely
important to thoroughly check your 'van as no doubt the long stationary
period will have caused some deterioration of components," general manager
Colin Young explained. The council has prepared a basic Inspection
check-list to help guide owners through the various steps to best-ensure
their RVs will provide safe and reliable travel. "While many items should
be able to be satisfactorily checked by the owner, it is essential that an
experienced service-technician be engaged to inspect, adjust and service
components that are crucial to ensuring safe travel on the road," Mr Young
said. And he reminded owners that the 'van was
only half of the combination. "It is vital that the tow vehicle is also
professionally serviced," he added. An inspection check list is
available via email from the council.
Organisers pull pin on Bendigo THIS year's three-day Bendigo Caravan & Camping Leisurefest, scheduled to open at the local racecourse on November 19, has been cancelled. Caravan Industry Victoria Rob Lucas (pictured) said COVID restrictions had been closely monitored and it was now "a little too late" to hold the event. The association’s governing council had considered all options and left the final decision to the last possible moment to give the event every opportunity to go ahead in late November. It said that for the association to operate the leisurefest to the highest standard, it required a clear six-week period before the event commences to be able to logistically operate. Meanwhile, Caravan Industry Victoria has launched its Exhibitor Applications for the 2021 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, which will be held from April 6 –10 back at the Melbourne Showgrounds. "This will be a great opportunity for exhibitors to get in front of eager customers as we see border restrictions ease, and more to come, encouraging more national travel," CIV said. SA Police hunt caravan thieves
POLICE in South Australia are hunting crooks who made off with a caravan from McLaren Vale. The 2015 Murchison Atlantic carried the SA registration S497TEX and was stolen from a storage yard on Field Street between 1am and 8am on October 29. If you see the caravan or know of its whereabouts please call police on 131 444.
Govt steps in to help caravan factories meet booming demand THE Victorian Government has
waded in with help for the state's caravan industry as it meets a huge
demand for locally-built RVs. Economic development agency NORTH Link and
Caravan Industry Victoria are providing specialist on-the-job training at
caravan manufacturers in Melbourne's north, including at Crusader Caravans
in Epping. Under the 'earn and learn' initiative, 150 workers will receive
support and skill development in areas including assembly, service and
repairs, warehousing and logistics, administration and sales to kick-start
their new careers ... while earning an income. Ten manufacturers have been
engaged. Crusader Caravans will take on two new staff members as part of
the program as it works to meet a soaring demand from long-time
caravanners and recent converts to mobile holidays.
Boroma Roamers beef up their campaign to keep name alive MEMBERS of a group
dedicated to keep the Boroma name alive are keeping their fingers crossed
that COVID restrictions will be lifted before their next get-together.
The Boroma Roamers are already working on plans for next year's rally and
have made a booking at the Casino Caravan Park on NSW's north coast.
Organisers Colin and Warren said the date had been fixed for May 23 to 30
and would coincide with the area's Beef Week, which
celebrates all facets of the Australian beef industry. "We
understand it is one of the busiest booking times and that the daily rate
will be $35 a day for a powered site in the area we usually occupy," they
said. In its heyday, Queensland-based Boroma was regarded as the Rolls
Royce of caravans but shocked the industry when it was forced into
liquidation in 2008 after
a global economic downturn caused sales to plummet as jittery customers
cancelled orders. The Roamers have vowed to keep the name of the now
defunct manufacturer alive.
Aspen Group revenue soars despite 'challenging' operating environment
By Dennis Amor ASPEN Group, which operates a chain of holiday and lifestyle parks throughout Australia, has revealed a 27 percent rise in total revenue for the first quarter compared to last year. In an update presentation to shareholders, it said the unaudited figure of $11.77 million was "reasonable in a challenging operating environment". Aspen's NSW coastal parks ‒ especially Adelaide Caravan Park and Tween Waters at Merimbula near the NSW-Victoria border ‒ had been impacted the most, with a large proportion of the net operating decline versus previous corresponding period being attributed to the end of JobKeeper. Aspen was expecting a strong trading performance at its NSW coastal parks during the peak summer trading periods ... provided people were free to travel. Meanwhile, Aspen chairman Clive Appleton (pictured) said in the group's annual report that revenue from short-stay guests at its holiday parks had been negatively impacted by travel restrictions. "However, profits have generally held up due to our strategy to pivot between short-stay and longer-stay leasing depending on the season and lockdown status," he said.
New ProSmart eases remote and off-grid travels for caravanners
BMPRO’s revolutionary new product will allow caravanners
to venture off-grid without worrying about water, gas or battery
management. Its new ProSmart is being hailed as the company's
latest-designed future proof system to help monitor RV functions all in
the palm of their hands. BMPRO said the ProSmart reduced risks of any
potential issues while travelling off the beaten path. "Individuals are
able to travel with the help of accurate readings and measurements of
their vehicle functions regardless of their knowledge in the area ...
receiving all their ‘need to knows’ with the mere click of a button," it
explained.
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