CARAVANNING NEWS - April 2010 edition


LINKS	REST AREAS	CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS	OWNERS' FORUMS	FUEL PRICES	CARAVAN CLUBS	ED'S HOME PAGE
Queensland outback	Carnarvon Gorge	Moore Park Beach turtles	Sydney circular	Santa's trip	Formula One interlude	Imbil

Brisbane Weather Forecast, Australia

April 2010

BREAKING NEWS

APRIL 30: ACCC issues recall notice after fears some Jayco poptop caravans may have been fitted with wrong tyres.
APRIL 29: Boy, 15, charged after jewellery and cash stolen from caravan at Mosman Gorge near Cairns, Queensland.
APRIL 29: MAN arrested after police chase ended with his caravan overturning at Thebarton in Adelaide.
APRIL 27: Hordes of grey nomads heading to historic Charters Towers in Queensland for the '10 Days in the Towers' festival.
APRIL 25: Caravanners cowered as partygoers attack police responding to noise complaints at Calliope River camping area near Gladstone, Queensland.
APRIL 24: Caravan wrecked in accident on Bruce Highway north of Rockhampton, Queensland.
APRIL 24: Boy cyclist, 12, critically injured in collision with 4WD towing caravan in Nambour, Queensland.
APRIL 23: Jayco 'not rushing' into any decision over its Melbourne Storm sponsorship, company told Caravanning News today.
APRIL 22: BIG4 Holiday Parks chief executive officer Terry Goodall to relinguish his position on July 16 after more than seven years.
APRIL 22: More than 50 people attend rally protesting over caravan ban at Barcaldine showgrounds in Queensland.
APRIL 21: Police now say caravan not involved in crash near Tennant Creek in NT. Witness assumed there had been caravan because of amount of debris.
APRIL 20: Caravanners forced to abandon their dip in swimming pool at Howard Springs caravan park in Northern Territory ... when 1.5m crocodile took up residence.
APRIL 20: Four people hurt when caravan and car overturn on Stuart Highway 70km north of Tennant Creek in NT.
APRIL 18: Melbourne man taken to hospital after his caravan overturned on Cunningham Hwy near Ipswich, Queensland.
APRIL 13: WA emergency services advise owners in Perth, Mandurah, Bunbury and Busselton to secure caravans as wild weather and high winds approach.
APRIL 13: Man taken to hospital after gas truck ploughs through fence at Queensland's Nambour Caravan Park, Kulangoor.
APRIL 11: Rajesh "Eddie" Osborne, 37, who worked for Concept Caravans in north Melboourne, and his three children aged 7, 10 and 12 found dead in apparent murder-suicide at Roxburgh Park, Melbourne.
APRIL 8: Axeman charged after damaging fence at Lakeside Caravan Park, Teralba, NSW.
APRIL 7: WA caravan parks recorded Australia's highest revenue growth - 12.3 percent - during quarter ending December, ABS figures reveal.
APRIL 7: Caravan dweller, 60, recovering in hospital after being attacked by wombat in Flowerdale, Victoria.
APRIL 1: Caravan involved in accident with garbage truck on Kennedy Hwy near Kuranda north-west of Cairns, Queensland. No one hurt.

Jayco now major sponsor of disgraced club

By DENNIS AMOR

CARAVAN builder Jayco has been elevated to 'major' sponsors of the disgraced Melbourne Storm rugby club. The Dandenong-based manufacturer – a big supporter of sport in Australia – was a platinum sponsor for many years, its distinctive name occupying a place on the front of team shorts ... though this was switched to the back for the start of the 2010 season. But with superannuation fund HOSTPLUS and ME Bank now axing their sponsorship deals with the scandal-ridden Storm, Jayco has suddenly been given major status and its name hurriedly transferred to players' jerseys. Jayco's managing director and founder Gerry Ryan is a board member of the club. A Jayco spokesman told Caravanning News: "We are not rushing into any decisions at this stage."

Authority pours cold water on reports

SHOWGROUND BAN ON CARAVANNERS DENIED

By DENNIS AMOR

THE NSW government has poured cold water on claims that caravanners and other travellers will be barred from showgrounds in the state.

According to media reports, the government-imposed ban follows protests from private caravan park operators and pressure from a government department which runs profit-making parks on Crown land.

One angry caravanner fumed to Caravanning News: "It would be an outrage to prevent us using showgrounds. Many travellers, including grey nomads on a tight budget, can't afford to stay at caravan parks which can charge up to $40 a night."

Land and Property Management Authority spokesperson Natalie Christie denied a blanket ban on tourists was being imposed.

But she told Caravanning News: "Showgrounds must have approval to operate as a caravan park or camping ground from their local government authority."

Aspen speaks out on tower site rumour
PROPERTY group Aspen, which operates a network of successful caravan parks in Australia, is rumoured to be interested in buying a prime block of land in Perth's city centre. Reports claim that discussions are at an early stage for the 3000sq m City Square site, which has development approval for a $250 million office tower. But in a statement on its website, Aspen said it was aware of media "speculation" about a potential commercial property acquisition, adding: "Aspen advises that it regularly assesses opportunities to maximise shareholder value. Recent activity has included exclusive due diligence on a commercial development site in the Perth CBD. This process is ongoing and there is no certainty that any transaction will be completed."

Sold! One desert park renowned for its alien visitors
A NORTHERN Territory caravan park located in a desert area ranked fifth in the world for UFO sightings has been sold to a Queenslander. Owner Lew Farkas decided to sell his 250-site Wycliffe Well Holiday Park, 130km south of Tennant Creek, so he can spend more time with his family.

Soggy Sunshine State braces for another deluge
QUEENSLAND – recovering from widespread flooding, a tsunami threat and Cyclone Ului – is bracing for another deluge, according to the State Government. But this time the flood will be in the form of thousands of caravanning grey nomads and other travellers ... and the government is forking out $150,000 to help them dump their waste.

Park owners reminded of fire safety obligations
THE Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service is clamping down on fire safety at caravan parks. Letters have been sent to about 100 park owners in the Territory reminding them of their obligations under fire and emergency regulations.

State beefs up rally organisers' funds
ORGANISERS of a giant caravan rally in the beef capital of Queensland have successfully applied for a cash grant from the State Government. Up to 800 caravans are expected to descend on Rockhampton for the Combined Caravan Clubs of Queensland's 15th national rally in 2013.

Family fun marks six months at helm
THE owners of a Queensland caravan park will mark their first six months in their role by treating visiting kids during the Easter break. Gail and James Dillon and son Josh will lay on a free BBQ and entertainment, an egg hunt, the Easter Bunny, face painting and games at their Capricorn Palms Holiday Village.

Manager attacked in case of mistaken identity, court told
A SUNSHINE Coast caravan park manager was attacked in a case of mistaken identity, a court heard. His attacker waded in after falsely believing the manager – investigating night noise complaints – had been snooping and was "the person next door".

Park in gardens pulls down shutters
A POPULAR caravan park located in a town's botanic gardens will finally pull down the shutters after Easter, it has been revealed. The last visitors will leave the park on April 6 and bid a sad farewell to the Kyneton Caravan Park which, because of its location, has provided the Macedon Ranges Shire Council with a management headache.

Harnessing power from sun ... it's in the bag
CARAVANNERS can now simply open a bag and harness electrical power from the sun within minutes. Projecta's new solar panel kits cater for a wide range of applications thanks to new technology and research on market requirements.

New Kakadu fees help tackle $4m 'black hole'
CARAVANNERS and other travellers heading to the Northern Territory's iconic Kakadu National Park will have to dig deeper into their wallets. It will now cost them $25 to visit the park, which has allegedly suffered a $4 million "black hole" since fees were scrapped in 2004.

BIG4 helps bring world of caravanning into homes
THE BIG4 chain of holiday parks has sealed a sponsorship deal with the latest travel show to hit Australia's television screens. The two-year arrangement with Channel 7’s new travel programme What's Up Downunder will bring the world of caravanning into viewers' homes on Saturday afternoons.

Camera focuses on trio of parks
CARAVAN parks in southern Queensland could soon be featuring on your television screens. A Channel 7 film crew shooting footage for the popular Creek to Coast programme recently visited Stanthorpe's Top of The Town Tourist Park, Killarney View Caravan Park at Killarney and the Kahlers Oasis Caravan Park at Warwick.

Resort a beacon to great customer service
VICTORIA'S Beacon Resort at Queenscliff, founded four decades ago in a lowly cow paddock, is celebrating ... after being named Australia's best tourist and caravan park. The park, a member of the BIG4 chain, collected the prestigious accolade at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Hobart.

The lowdown on GPS hazard for ferry-bound travellers
SATELLITE navigation systems are creating problems for some caravanners heading for the Spirit of Tasmania ferry in Melbourne. Travellers with full height caravans or fifth wheelers who blindly rely on their GPS to direct them to the ferry terminal are finding their way blocked by a low bridge in Montague Street.

Probation for teen who stole from annexes
A TEENAGE thief who stole from annexes at a popular Queensland caravan park has been placed on probation and ordered to repay cash he took from a wallet. A court heard that the 17-year-old targeted eight annexes at the Sunshine Coast's Cotton Tree Caravan Park and make off with alcohol including rum, whisky and vodka.

Island parks ride the crest of a wave
CARAVAN parks on South Australia's Kangaroo Island are riding the crest of a wave ... thanks to SeaLink ferries. Operators say grey nomads and other travellers are heading for the island in increasing numbers thanks to a special offer from the ferry company and travel group.

Ascot's on the ball
BENDIGO'S Ascot Holiday and Caravan Park in Victoria in certainly on the ball. It has installed a big-screen television in its recreation room so that caravanners and other tourists can "enjoy the footy with their mates".

CCIA bids farewell to general manager
THE Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW has bid farewell to its tireless general manager (administration), Carol Sonter. Carol, who worked hard producing the CCIA's NSW Caravan & Camping, Holiday & Touring Guide among a myriad of other duties, retired recently after 25 years of dedicated service.

Helping you plan your show visits
THOUSANDS of enthusiasts will flock to caravan and camping shows this year. And to help you plan your visits, Caravanning News has compiled a list of dates and venues.

For stories from the last six editions of Caravanning News, click on the appropriate month:


March 2010	February 2010	January 2010	December 2009	November 2009	October 2009

Editor: Dennis Amor
PO Box 678
Caloundra
Queensland 4551
Australia
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NEWS DOWNLOADS REACH 95,000 MONTHLY

MORE and more caravanners are turning to Caravanning News to keep abreast of what's happening in the world of caravanning. Page downloads recently reached 95,000 monthly ... with more than 80 percent of visitors adding us to their favourites, too.

LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR

Is 20 percent insurance hike justified?

AN INSURANCE giant well known to the over 55s sent me my caravan renewal for 2010. I was shocked to find it had increased 20 percent from $453 in 2009 to $540 in 2010. That's a $90 increase for the same product in one year, far greater than any CPI. Upon finally talking to a REAL person on the hotline, I was informed that the increase was due to a higher cost of potential repairs for caravan bodies and components. So that justifies a 20 percent increase, does it? Not that I have ever claimed in quite a few years with that company but I doubt parts and repair costs go up 20 percent a year anyway. I forgot to ask if that means my insurance premiums would be going up by that amount EVERY year.

Ray Bradbery,
Melbourne

Good site with great links

CARAVANNING News is a good site with a great links page. I'll be back.

John Brydon,
Queensland

Tribute from Coromal fans

DESPITE its fall in revenue (see story here), it's encouraging to see that Fleetwood - builders of Coromal and Windsor caravans - is positive about the future. My wife and I have owned a Coromal caravan for some years and we're well pleased with its build, performance and comfort. Would we buy another? You bet we would!

Clive and Jennifer Dark,
NSW

Could be Millard or Windsor

REFERRING to last month's picture feature on the old caravan (click here to see story), could it be an old Millard or Windsor 'van?

Sandra Smith

WORLD BRIEFS

Two die in caravan fireball

A FEROCIOUS blaze ripped through a caravan, killing two holidaymakers as they slept near the banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland. Other caravanners tried in vain to save the 65-year-old man and 59-year-old woman, but were beaten back as the 'van erupted in a fireball.

A GANG of four believed to be responsible for nearly half the caravan thefts in England has been thrown behind bars. The men appeared at Winchester Crown Court and received jail sentences ranging from four to nine years.

SNOWBOUND roads proved hazardous for some caravanners enjoying the arrival of Spring in western Sweden. There were reports of caravans skidding off the road and at least two caravanners being seriously injured in a crash on the E20 near Alingsås.

SOME caravan parks in Britain have reported a surge in bookings after industrial problems at British Airways. Holidaymakers said they were not prepared to gamble with the uncertainties of overseas travel.

JUDGES rejected a UK caravan park company's challenge against conviction after a boy nearly drowned at a Welsh holiday park. The Court of Appeal dismissed a plea by Upper Bay Limited for leave to appeal. It was claimed the swimming pool at Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl, where the boy, 7, suffered a "catastrophic" brain injury, was not properly supervised by lifeguards.