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COUNCILLORS on Queensland's Fraser Coast have endorsed an ambitious
plan which could lead to a bigger slice of Australia's burgeoning
caravanning and camping market.
The local regional council decided to adopt the strategy, developed by the
Fraser Coast Camping Stakeholders Working Group made up of representatives
from the council, caravan industry and chambers of commerce.
The strategy said it recognised that camping, caravanning and recreational
vehicles were a significant industry worth $6.5 billion annually.
"This strategy recognises the value of the industry and the need to keep
pace with evolving markets, competition and changing consumer dynamics,"
it said.
Included in its 24 recommendations are that the council investigate
introducing 'Stop and Shop' sites in Maryborough and Hervey Bay; retain
Petrie Park near Tiaro as a designated bush camping site; expand the
existing RV site at Bauple and investigate an additional RV parking area
within the Glenwood township.
There would be four 'Stop and Shop' spaces in Maryborough and up to eight
in Hervey Bay.
The free sites would be designated parking areas in close proximity to the
CBD which would allow for up to 20 hours parking for visitors who spend at
least $10 in a local business.
"Australians have a unique sense of adventure and a need to explore,"
stakeholders working group chairman Geoff Redpath said.
"The recommendations are designed to promote the Fraser Coast as a great
destination.
"There is no reason why this region cannot become the Queensland
destination of choice for camping, caravanning and RV users."
Tourism was a key driver of the Fraser Coast economy, injecting $360
million through direct overnight expenditure, Fraser Coast deputy mayor
Stuart Taylor said.
Cr Taylor also holds the tourism, marketing and communications
portfolio.
"We would like to increase that figure to about $759 million by 2020," he
said.
"Growth in the drive market, with a particular emphasis on camping, will
help us reach that target.
"In March, 2014, the Queensland Camping Options Toolkit was launched to
assist local governments develop camping options.
"This council was the first to adopt the guide and set up the Fraser Coast
Camping Stakeholders Working Group to grow camping tourism."
The working group's investigation showed there was a good dispersal of
camping options across the Fraser Coast, with the exception of Glenwood.
"Our investigation indicated that Petrie Park should be retained as a bush
camping site; the Bauple RV site could be easily expanded and there was a
need for more facilities at Tiaro Memorial Park," Cr Taylor said.
"Research showed that 77 percent of Campervan and Motorhome Club of
Australia members would be willing to pay $10 a night to stay in this form
of camping facility.
"The funds would be used to complete the upgrades and maintain the bush
facilities to attract more people to the region."
The recommendations also call on the council to review its planning laws
to help provide new camping and caravan parks; offer incentives to attract
investors to the region; review local laws to tackle illegal camping and
install more dump points to encourage caravans and RVs off the highway
into the region.
Click
here to view the Fraser Coast Camping Options Strategy.
