JANUARY 2020
     

''Majority willing to contribute to upkeep'

Council strategy suggests fees
be introduced at free campsites

Have your say

TRAVELLERS may have to pay to stay at Townsville's council-operated campsites and rest areas if the city's draft camping strategy is approved.

Six facilities are currently free but the recently released RV & Camping Strategy suggests that a $10 to $15 fee should be levied to make them sustainable.

"Calculation of the appropriate fee would consider market rates for other campgrounds with similar facilities, balanced with the need to provide ratepayers with an acceptable recovery of costs spent on the campgrounds," the strategy says.

"While a small proportion of travellers prefer to only stay in free sites, the majority are willing to pay a small fee to contribute to the upkeep of facilities such as toilets, rubbish bins and potable water."

The council developed the strategy using feedback from a variety of groups interested in improving RV and camping opportunities in the region.

Its key objectives are to provide affordable camping options to a range of tourists, support local business, grow tourism in the region and connect visitors with a range of experiences to make the stop in Townsville memorable.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said feedback showed that both Australians and international visitors were using RVs and camping as affordable ways to travel and see the country.

"This information gives us a valuable insight into what we can do to increase visitation to Townsville and keep people here longer while spending money locally and supporting local businesses," she said.

The strategy suggests that to remain competitive with surrounding destinations, Townsville needed to offer campground types ranging from basic sites with minimal infrastructure up to commercial resort-style facilities.

And it would be necessary to increase the supply of campground sites, especially during the peak months of June to August, if it was to meet the growing RV and camping sector.

But, the strategy pointed out, the council did not intend to manage any new campgrounds.

"However, there is an opportunity to expand camping capacity at Vincent "Bushy" Parker Park, Rollingstone," it said.

Division 1 councillor Margie Ryder described the experiences on offer in Townsville as "second to none" in North Queensland.

"We're incredibly lucky to live somewhere as beautiful and sunny as Townsville, and we'd like to share that with the rest of the world," she said.

"That's why an important part of this strategy is making sure we're connecting visitors to unique experiences and ensuring they stay longer and spend more in the region."

People can provide feedback on the strategy until March 9, click here..

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