CARAVANNERS will be able to stay for free at a camping area along the
Barwon River in Winchelsea, Victoria.
Surf Coast Shire Council will run the 12-month trial, beginning April 1,
after seeking community input earlier this year on making the town
RV-friendly.
It followed a 192-signature petition from advocacy and leadership group,
Growing Winchelsea.
Travellers in self-contained RVs will be able to stay for up to 48 hours
at the attractive and scenic stopping point just off the Princes Highway.
In a statement, the council said its community engagement process had
revealed strong local support for the idea of Winchelsea becoming an RV
friendly town, with some opposition to the proposal and mixed views on the
site.
There had been discussions with the Campervan and Motorhome Club of
Australia and consultations with RV travellers via web forums had
generated "substantial interest" in visiting the town.
Winchelsea Ward Councillor Carol McGregor said the trial would assess the
demand for RV parking and the suitability of the site.
"We want to work with Growing Winchelsea and other interested parties on
gauging the benefits of providing for RV vehicles in Winchelsea, and the
results of the engagement indicated that a trial would be the best way to
proceed," she said.
“I commend Growing Winchelsea for bringing this issue before the council
and the wider community for providing some great feedback.
"We hope to see a good result from the trial."
Councillor Heather Wellington said the council and Growing Winchelsea
would work together to monitor the site and the trial's progress.
"There are issues we need to assess and the best way to do this is through
a trial," she said.
It would be monitored to ensure the amenity of the area was respected.
"Hopefully we can share some of Winchelsea's best spots with a new range
of visitors from around Australia and beyond," she added.
