October 2009

Grants will provide better holiday experience

State shells out $876,000 to keep pace with visitor demand

MORE than 30 caravan parks and camping grounds on Crown land in Victoria will receive a multi-thousand dollar shot in the arm.

The state government has announced grants totalling $876,000 to upgrade facilities and improve their environmental performance.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings said 34 caravan and camping parks across the state would receive the grants for projects including installing boom gates, improving washrooms and building a sewage treatment plant.

"Victorians love to go camping and caravanning so the government is taking action to ensure our Crown land parks keep pace with growing visitor demand and are respectful of the environment," he explained.

"This program is helping some of our popular destinations provide better holiday experiences for Victorian families who spend money in the regions they visit and help create jobs. The demand for this sort of holiday experience is increasing as our population grows.

"These grants help put our caravan and camping parks on a more sustainable footing so we can continue to give Victorians a great holiday experience into the future."

The grants are part of the state government's $4.8 million Crown Land Caravan Parks Improvement Program which began in 2006.

Mr Jennings said upgrades to facilities would include improvements to security, power infrastructure and sewage treatment as well as camp kitchens and toilet blocks.

"Crown land caravan and camping parks make a significant contribution to regional economies so it is important we assist them to meet the needs of tourists and the caravanning and camping community," he said.

"We are working in partnership with local councils and park committees of management who work extremely hard to help manage Crown land caravan and camping parks for the benefit of all Victorians."

Details of the grants are:

GIPPSLAND

NORTH EAST

NORTH WEST