Council supremo may oversee Peninsula caravan parks

By DENNIS AMOR

AN independent review has recommended a council supremo be appointed to oversee council caravan parks on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula.

The move is suggested in a comprehensive report prepared by leading caravan industry figure Ron Shattock, who transformed a lowly caravan park into a top South Australian tourist attraction.

Mr Shattock: report

Mr Shattock – honoured with an OAM in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his services to the nation's caravan industry – was commissioned by the District Council of Yorke Peninsula to look at the management structure of its 14 caravan parks.

His findings were presented to the council at a recent meeting.

Mr Stattock said in his 53-page report that there was a mix of views on a suitable management structure. "However, a thread throughout is the notion that parks should be run under a single reporting authority for the future sustainability of all parks," he said.

He suggested the appointment of an executive accommodation manager who would report to the council's CEO and work with council directors to oversee the management, operations, marketing and development of council-controlled caravan parks and in an advisory role to leased parks.

In his report, Mr Shattock stressed the importance of web-based marketing.

"Online bookings are increasing significantly as more and more people become savvy with using computers," he said.

A home website and individual park websites were "a must" to sell a park's location and attributes.

Director of Finance and Corporate Services Alan Rushbrook described the report as amongst the most comprehensive reviews undertaken by council, involving visits to all caravan parks and talks with all relevant stakeholders.

Some aspects closely mirrored those made to the council last year, he said.

Mr Shattock recommended Stansbury, Coobowie and Edithburgh caravan parks come under the same management structure as the Port Vincent, Point Turton and Marion Bay parks.

But Port Rickaby, Port Victoria, Minlaton, Pine Point, Ardrossan, Port Clinton and Price caravan parks were leased to private operators or progress associations and could not be embraced by a new management structure, the report said.

"The report also recommends a specialist senior position be created within council, and that this person be responsible for council caravan parks," Mr Rushbrook said.

And he stressed: "This proposal is not a condemnation of any party currently involved in the management of our caravan parks, but demonstrates the benefits of a new management structure."

During the council debate, Councillor Grantley Dodd described caravan parks as "simple businesses driven by complex factors", but said it was time to bring council parks into the 21st century.

The council will now launch public consultations and consider submissions at its November meeting.

Mr Shattock has served as a board member and treasurer of the BIG4 chain, is a life member of SA Parks and a member of the AAA Tourism Industry Liaison Group, the National Accreditation Board and the Metropolitan Seaside Councils Committee.

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