CARAVANNING NEWS: Breaking News


LINKS	REST AREAS	CARAVAN MANUFACTURERS	OWNERS' FORUMS	FUEL PRICES	CARAVAN CLUBS	LIVE TRAFFIC CAMS

Caravanning News is registered with the National Library of Australia's PANDORA archive

December 2017

BREAKING NEWS

DECEMBER 31:
Shot fired into unoccupied caravan parked on roadway in Adelaide's Elizabeth Grove early today. Bullet being examined by forensic experts.

DECEMBER 28:
South Australian police are hunting a Christmas Day flasher. They have now issued a description of the man aged between 50 and 60 who indecently exposed himself in the camp kitchen area at Port Lincoln Caravan Park at 8pm on December 25. "There was no physical contact between the man and any other person," police said. The pervert is described as being tanned with black hair. He was wearing blue shorts and aviator sunglasses. Police are appealing for anyone who saw the incident or who has information that could may help the investigation to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

DECEMBER 27:
Queensland police continue to remind holidaymakers in the Sunshine Coast area to take security precautions with their camping gear. Camping is gaining popularity as an affordable holiday for families, with over 2000 bookings made for this summer in one local caravan park alone. "Opportunistic thieves have been targeting loose items of value in popular areas ," Senior Constable Ann Jessop warned today.

DECEMBER 27:
Police were today still investigating an horrific three-death smash involving a Prado 4WD and Mazda sedan, one reportedly towing a caravan, on the Princes Hwy at Bendalong, NSW. One of the vehicles burst into flames on impact. Two women were airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after yesterday's crash south of Sussex Inlet.

DECEMBER 27:
Three-times round-Australia grey nomad Roger Newbiggin was left without a home when his pride and joy went up in flames on a carpark at the Sunshine Coast's Alexandra Headland Mooloolaba Beach yesterday. The 66-year-old, who has been travelling in his mobile home for about a decade, believes overheating batteries may have caused the blaze. He used a fire extinguisher but was beaten back as they quickly spread. He was unhurt.

DECEMBER 22:
Police are investigating circumstances surrounding a blaze at Victoria's BIG4 Caravan Park Port Fairy in which a teenage girl received life-threatening burns last night. Guests braved fierce flames to rescue the 14-year-old from a blazing cabin. She was rushed to Warrnambool Base Hospital before being airlifted by helicopter to the Royal Children's Hospital where she was placed on life support. More than 50 firefighters battled the fire in the south-east corner of the park. A crime scene was established and arson squad officers were today sifting through the charred wreckage. The park later posted a message on Facebook saying four cabins were damaged in the inferno. It said the fire had been contained to one section of the park.

DECEMBER 20:
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a safety recall on Patriot camper trailers sold since January 2013 after fears gas could leak from the cooking stove.The alert comes after it was discovered that Bromic stoves were not installed by an authorised gas fitter. "Gas may leak from the stove, which could ignite and potentially cause injury or property damage," ACCC claims. "Consumers should return the camper trailer to a gas fitter authorised by Patriot Campers and arrange to have the stove decommissioned." Contact Patriot Campers on 07 5597 0638 or sales@patriotcampers.com.au

DECEMBER 20:
Rockhampton Regional Council and the Queensland State Government are being taken to court by the Caravan Parks Association of Queensland in a bid to outlaw free camping at the beef capital's Kershaw Gardens. The legal action follows complaints from local caravan parks that the 48-hour facility is costing them business. It will be heard in the Brisbane Planning and Environment Court in February.

DECEMBER 17:
Brisbane Caravan Repair Centre at Oxley, founded 14 years ago, is on the market for $265,000.

DECEMBER 16:
Creditors of Kimberley Kampers, which is in administration, will meet at the Ballina RSL Club in NSW on Monday, December 19. They will decide whether to appoint a committee of inspection.

DECEMBER 15:
Two travellers taken to hospital after their Land Rover Discovery towing a caravan rolled on NSW's Central Hunter Expressway near Heddon Greta this afternoon. Police said they suffered only minor injuries in the accident. No other vehicles were involved.

DECEMBER 15:
Caravan blocking southbound traffic on Tasmania's Huon Highway at Grove following two-vehicle crash. No further details available at present.

DECEMBER 14:
Detectives have launched a major inquiry after a body with stab wounds was located at a Bundaberg caravan park in Queensland. A spokesman at the Bundaberg Park Lodge Caravan Park on the Isis Highway South at Kensington told Caravanning News the 44-year-old victim was "a guest of a friend" staying at the park. He declined to comment further. Police said they were called to the park at about 7am after a resident located the body. Preliminary investigations established the victim had several stab wounds. A crime scene was declared and police began a major investigation codenamed Operation Papa Gosling. It is believed a man is helping with inquiries. Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers

DECEMBER 14:
Lotus Caravans has dropped legal proceedings against the administrator of the Lemon Caravans and RVs in Aus Facebook site. Lotus accused Tracy Leigh of injurious falsehood and defamation after she detailed alleged problems with her new $70,000 caravan on her Facebook page. The case was due to be heard next February but she said today the company had abandoned the "vexatious proceedings".

DECEMBER 13:
Caravan Industry Association of Australia welcomes release of Federal Government drafts for a new Road Vehicle Standards Act. It said it was pleased the bill included tougher measures for RV manufacturers and far-reaching penalties for those not adhering to compliance obligations. "Our industry has been waiting for over four years for this legislation which will improve standards in the industry and provide greater confidence for caravanning consumers," chief executive Stuart Lamont commented.

DECEMBER 12:
Northern Territory's Health Department urging grey nomads to protect themselves as rains swell mosquito numbers, increasing risk of Ross River fever. "Use mosquito-proof accommodation and camping facilities at night," it advises.

DECEMBER 12:
Fleetwood Corporation, the Perth-based RV manufacturer which has suffered a slump in sales of its Windsor and Coromal caravans, has agreed to sell its Flexiglass Challenge business for $7 million. The deal with Aeroklas Australia will result in the write down of about $4m in goodwill, Fleetwood said today. The company acquired Flexiglass Challenge in 2002. Fleetwood managing director Brad Denison commented: "After undertaking a strategic review of this business, we formed the view that this business would be better suited to ownership by a company in the automotive parts and accessories sector."

DECEMBER 12:
Acclaim Parks Pine Grove Holiday and Caravan Park at Esperance, WA, has joined the Australian Caravan Club's Member Benefits Programme.

DECEMBER 10:
A grey nomad was rushed to hospital after the Bruce Highway's notorious Cooroy Hill near Nambour in Queensland claimed its second caravan in as many days. The RV and its 4WD tow vehicle both rolled on the stretch of highway which has seen many travellers come to grief. The experienced grey nomad had reportedly towed the same caravan for nearly 10 years - including a round-Australia trip - without problems. But his rig suddenly developed what was described as an "uncontrollable wobble" as he descended the infamous 110kph Cooroy Hill. His injured female passenger was taken to Nambour Hospital. The caravan was destroyed and 4WD wrecked. "Just shows no matter how comfortable you can feel towing your 'van, things can go pear-shaped very fast," a spokesperson for Clayton's Towing, who was called to clear the highway of debris, said.

DECEMBER 9:
Police have appealed for help in tracing would-be caravan thieves who knocked a 71-year-old man unconscious. The victim caught a man and woman tryng to steal the caravan from his property at Delacombe in Victoria and used his car to block their escape. Police said he was then punched in the face, resulting in him falling and losing consciousness. The crooks then moved his vehicle out of the way and drove off in a red Ford ute, minus the caravan. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment. Police said the couple's vehicle has damage to the front right-hand side headlight, bumper bar and grill area. The rear right tail-light will also be damaged. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the ute or have seen it in the area is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333000.

DECEMBER 9:
Fire badly damaged a caravan and annex at Bendigo's Central City Caravan Park in Victoria. No one hurt.

DECEMBER 8:
Police at Holden Hill in South Australia are investigating the theft of a camper trailer from Fairview Park. The Jayco camper trailer (pictured) has a Queensland Registration DF0611 and was stolen between midnight and noon yesterday from Hamilton Rd. It had been parked on the road and was not attached to a vehicle when it was taken. Anyone with information or who knows the whereabouts of the camper trailer is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

DECEMBER 8:
Caravan Industry Association of Australia chief executive Stuart Lamont appointed to represent caravan industry on ASIC's Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Industry Reference Committee.

DECEMBER 7:
Police have urged caravanners to be more security conscious after a thief struck at a Queensland caravan park. They said an interstate tourist was sleeping in his caravan at the Island Gateway Holiday Park near Airlie Beach when his unlocked ute parked next to it was entered and his wallet stolen. "It contained the usual identifying documents and bank cards," Sergeant Nigel Dalton explained. "Before the victim was aware of the offence and had had time to cancel the bank cards there was one unauthorised transaction from his account. All of us need to change our behaviour in relation to leaving property insecure. Make it a New Year's resolution to use the locks provided ... even while on holiday." Anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact Whitsunday Police on 4948 8888 and quote QP1702147584.

DECEMBER 6:
Emergency services at scene of caravan accident which partially blocked northbound lanes of NSW's Pacific Highway at Moorland this afternoon. No further details available.

DECEMBER 5:
Discovery Parks chief executive and co-founder Grant Wilckens (pictured) was elected new federal chairman of Caravan Industry Association of Australia at its national board meeting today. Dennis Austin was elected deputy chairman and Martin Cotterell treasurer. Outgoing chairman Mark Lindsay remains on the board as a non-executive director.

DECEMBER 4:
Australian Caravan Club's Wide Bay Burnett Nomads branch, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, has donated $1000 to RACQ LifeFlight.

DECEMBER 2:
Wagga Beach Caravan Park and campgrounds along Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga in NSW evacuated as heavy rains hit region. Nearly three dozen cabins and a caravan moved to local visitors information centre car park for safety. Park expected to be closed for at least a week.

DECEMBER 2:
Euroa Caravan Park on the banks of Seven's Creek north of Melbourne evacuated as torrential rains continue to lash Victoria. Meanwhile, all southbound lanes of Hume Hwy between Benalla and Euroa closed due to flooding.

DECEMBER 2:
Shares in Ingenia, which operates a chain of lifestyle community and holiday parks, had reached a 14-month high of $2.84 at close of ASX business yesterday.

DECEMBER 1:
Deputy Commissioner of Taxation lodges application for the winding up of Victoria-based First Class Caravans. Federal Court hearing fixed for December 12 in Melbourne.

Breaking News: November 2017

RETURN TO CARAVANNING NEWS MAIN PAGE