NOVEMBER 2019
     

Tenterfield Lodge Caravan Park's camp kitchen

Still suffering after a 'hell of a year'

'Come visit us' plea after Mother Nature savages NSW town

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CARAVAN parks and other accommodation providers in NSW's New England region are still suffering after copping "a hell of a year" from Mother Nature.

Tenterfield Lodge Caravan Park, a member of the Kui chain, reports that tourism remains slow on the back of severe drought, fires and water shortages.

"The publicity has really hurt the whole town," the caravan park's Barry O'Connor told Caravanning News.

"Tourism is a major income resource and the effect on our park has seen occupancy across cabins and sites well down, with powered sites fall from 60 percent to just over 30 percent.

"Tenterfield is not looking for a hand-out but rather a hand-up ... and the best hand-up caravanners can give is to come and stay a few days in our wonderful town."

Mr O'Connor said there was much to see and do and visitors would be kept busy.

"If you believed the news media the entire town was devastated by bushfire. There were also claims that we were virtually out of water," he said.

"This, when coupled with the reporting on the drought, has painted as a very bleak ‒ if untrue ‒ picture."

He said that while water was a precious commodity, guests to Tenterfield always had water and this continued today.

"There was no danger to caravanners from the bushfires," he emphasised.

"We have fielded a number of calls as to whether caravanners were able to stay in Tenterfield.

"We have always been able to say that we are open for business and guests will be warmly welcomed."

Kui Parks managing director Bert van Spronsen commented: "I think many of the towns on the New England Highway from Murrurundi through to Tenterfield into Stanthorpe and Warwick etc are being avoided and they desperately need to be supported."

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