THE Australian Caravan Club has copped a caning from caravanners for
"snubbing" a government inquiry into the role grey nomads play in
Queensland's economy.
Club members expressed surprise and disappointment that the 2200-member
nationwide organisation did not represent them at the state's Economic
Development Committee public inquiry into how rural and regional
communities can be developed through grey nomad tourism.
Inquiry chairman Evan Moorhead said the investigation involved issues
relating to grey nomad infrastructure requirements, the commercial camping
and caravan park industry and ways to market Queensland.
One angry member of an online caravanners forum described the decision by
the ACC not to take an active roll in the inquiry as "a disaster" and
reflected badly on its board.
"I have attended several caravan shows as an ACC volunteer and feel that I
have failed by advising potential members that the ACC would be their
voice at local, state and federal level," he wrote.
Another forum member complained: "What a great pity the Australian Caravan
Club has missed the opportunity to represent its members at this inquiry."
And another claimed: "The ACC has slipped into the mould of another
caravan social club, without any real positive direction to do and perform
the job by which many members joined the club."
Victorian caravanner Clive Masterson told Caravanning News: "The
Australian Caravan Club canvassed itself as being the voice of
caravanners, putting together a united front to fight and improve things
for us. But it appears they snubbed this important inquiry, even though
other major caravanning groups were willing participants."
A public hearing at the Queensland Parliamentary Annexe in Brisbane heard
submissions from representatives from Caravanning Queensland, West
Australian caravanner Frans Hamer, local councils, the Campervan and
Motorhome Club of Australia and the Auswide Motorhome Club.
The ACC did not give evidence or provide any prior submission to the
inquiry.
And ACC secretary Alan Lazarus made no apology, maintaining that the terms
of reference under which the committee of inquiry was established were
very narrow, concentrating on a single segment of the roadbound tourist
... the grey nomad.
Mr Lazarus told Caravanning News: "Given that the ACC is a young
organisation, with limited resources in terms of both dollars and people,
any submissions or lobbying efforts must be directed at those areas where
maximum benefit is returned to the ACC membership."
He claimed that the definition of grey nomad as used by the committee was
"rather broad".
"It is not restricted to those travellers that bring their own
accommodation with them, such as caravanners, motorhomers and the like.
"The definition used could cover any road-bound tourist over 55 years of
age, regardless of their mode of transport and accommodation, be it
caravan, motorhome, tent, bus, ute or pushbike!" he said.
Mr Lazarus suggested there had been nothing to support beliefs in some
quarters that the goals of the inquiry included the promotion of the
caravan park industry, the destruction of free or independent camping
areas, the removal of budget camping facilities and a general attack on
the caravanning/motorhoming lifestyle enjoyed by so many people.
"The committee of inquiry is charged with producing a report to the
Queensland Government," he said.
"This report may, or may not, contain recommendations regarding certain
courses of action to be followed by the government.
"The Queensland Government, in turn, may elect to implement, or not
implement, any of the recommendations so made. In fact the Queensland
Government may elect to take no action whatsoever in regard to the
committee’s final report, other than to file it!"
Mr Lazarus said the ACC considered the more prudent course of action would
to await the outcomes of the inquiry and to direct any efforts to
addressing specific items it identified.
"To that end, the ACC has subscribed to the Queensland Economic
Development Committee to receive information on the progress and findings
of the inquiry," he added.
Mr Lazarus pointed out that an ACC Queensland-based director attended the
public hearing "as an observer".
Members
fume after not being represented at public hearing
