(From left) Local resident and Mackay Sugarloafers treasurer Bill McKie, Cr Dave Perkins, Mackay Sugarloafers secretary Carole Francis and Mackay Tourism general manager David Phillips inspect the new dump point.

WHERE there's muck there's money ... just ask councillors in the corridors of power in the Queensland sugar town of Mackay.

The river city just off the Bruce Highway has helped finance a new dump point which it hopes will attract more caravanners and other travellers – and their tourist dollars – as they make their way along the state's eastern seaboard.

Mackay Regional Council joined forces with Mackay Tourism to sponsor the new facility which is situated outside the Nebo Road visitor information centre.

The Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia and the Department of Transport and Main Roads also chipped in to help finance the welcome facility.

Tourism and Economic Development portfolio councillor David Perkins said Mackay's visitor information centre waste point was the first of three to be installed.

"Waste points provide a safe and convenient way for travellers, especially those in self-contained recreational vehicles, to dispose of black water waste. Attracting travellers to centres with waste points brings a boost to local economies, with travellers likely to stay longer and spend more in local communities," he said.

"The majority of visitors to our region travel by road and a growing number of these visitors are RV tourists, especially as we have so much to offer including 31 beautiful beaches, a picturesque blue river and a pristine rainforest hinterland which are all key highlights on the RV travellers' checklist when searching for destinations."

RV waste points are safe, clean and unobtrusive. The Gough Plastics Dump Ezy is specifically designed and manufactured to be attractive and user friendly with simple-to-follow instructions.

Cr Perkins said the dump points were also a win for the environment because they ensured waste was disposed of in a safe, secure and lawful manner.

Mackay Tourism general manager David Phillips applauded the council’s action in helping to provide three waste dump points.

"RV travellers presently comprise the largest percentage of our leisure visitor market," he said.

"Their unstructured holidays, often over huge distances, require essential services such as waste points en-route.

"Mackay will now increasingly be seen as an attractive RV destination, and reap the flow-on economic benefits through increased numbers and length of stay."

The council said RV travellers spent an average of $575 a week over a 28-week trip, a total average spend of $16,000 each vehicle. They spend on a range of goods and services including fuel, groceries, vehicle maintenance, accommodation, pharmaceuticals, eating out and tourist attractions.

It believes the growth of the RV industry will increase rapidly over the next few years as the baby boomer generation commences retirement travel, with this segment identified as a major growth market with a preference for drive holidays.

There will soon be in excess of 100,000 recreational vehicles on the road at any given time and RV tourists are set to dominate tourism activity in regional Australia.

BACK TO CARAVANNING NEWS MAIN PAGE