CARAVAN park operators in tropical Queensland's historical
Cooktown are fuming over a council-run budget camp which offers travellers
$5 overnight stays.
They accuse the council of robbing them of business and have already met to
discuss battle tactics.
But Mayor Peter Scott told Caravanning News: "We consider it’s
paradise up here and are happy to share it with those prepared to make the
long haul."
The council would trial the budget camp for a year, he said.
Located close to the town centre and ironically next to one its caravan
parks, the facility can take up to 40 self-contained caravans and
motorhomes and offers a dump point and water tap.
Stays will be limited to 48-hours.
"Those wishing to stay longer or in more comfortable surrounds can choose
from the four well-catered-for caravan parks in town or the three out of
town," Cr Scott said.
"The council and community are excited about the prospect of attracting
the travelling and recreational public to our beautiful region which we
call 'the heart of Cape York'," he added.
But Cooktown Caravan Park manager John Noonan fumed: "It's totally
disgusting. How can our caravan parks compete against $5 a night.
"Councils are supposed to support local businesses ... not compete against
them."
Mr Noonan lashed the council for going ahead with the budget camp without
first consulting the local caravan park operators.
"They did not talk to us at all," he complained. "They just went ahead and
did it. Who's going to pay to run this camp?"
Tammy Martland, manager of the BIG4 Cooktown Holiday Park, said the town's
caravan park operators had met to discus their concerns and would be "pursuing
the matter".
"All four caravan parks in town can easily accommodate RVers ... if there
had been an overflow situation then it would be a different story.
"But there has never been a time when they could not cope with the influx
of tourists, even when the southern grey nomads descend on us."
