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Government body retracts 'electrocution' warning

ACCC BACKFLIP AFTER STARCRAFT RECALL

No risk to customers, says Jayco

By Dennis Amor
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THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has retracted claims that 240-volt air conditioners on some Jayco caravans could be deadly.

In a nationwide safety recall of nearly 400 Starcraft caravans, the commission warned there was a chance of electrocution after it was discovered compressors could have been wired incorrectly.

But following an approach by a concerned Jayco official, the federal government authority quickly amended its recall notice, stressing: "There are no hazards presented by the product unless consumers attempt to repair it themselves."

Jayco marketing director Andrew Ryan told Caravanning News: "The incorrectly fitted wire was not a risk for any customers. It was incorrectly identified on the ACCC website and the message has since been modified."

HOME OF COURAGE HITS THE ROAD

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THEY call it the Dog House of Courage ... and there's no doubting that parents Ben and Toni Wilson have plenty of pluck. The Victorian couple has hit the road with six young children on an adventure of a lifetime in their tiny 9ft home on wheels, which they have dubbed with the appropriate name. Caravanning News caught up with the intrepid travellers at Mullumbimby in New South Wales after they had spent a day exploring mainland Australia's most easterly point and lighthouse at Byron Bay.

Owners laud BIG4's new policy on pets

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QUEENSLAND caravanner Bronwyn McMillin and her pooch Chilli have welcomed BIG4's change of heart over its longstanding no-dogs policy. Up until now, Bronwyn, husband David and their six-year-old Mexican Chihuahua-Silky cross, along with thousands of other travellers with pets, have been barred from Australia's largest chain of caravan and holiday parks. But all that will change next month when, after "detailed research and analysis", selected BIG4 parks will be allowed to throw down the welcome mat after a 32-year ban. Caravanning News spoke to Bronwyn – who regularly dyes Chilli's tail bright purple "as a way of breaking the ice when we meet people" – at a Jayco Owners (SE Queensland) Club rally.

Builder considers 'no-gas' caravans
A QUEENSLAND manufacturer is looking into building 'gas-free' caravans. Sunland Caravans managing director Roy Wyss is asking caravanners for their thoughts on the idea. "Over the years I have had requests for no gas and right now I am in full research and development mode looking at all sorts of alternatives to the way we currently do things," he told members of an online caravanners' forum. Have your say

Ron receives great reception from frustrated viewers
FULL-TIME caravanner Robert Tew usually gets a great reception wherever he goes. Since hitting the road more than a decade ago with wife Linda, the former radio and television engineer from Tasmania has been helping grey nomads enjoy better television pictures all over Australia.

Safety notice penalty 'harsh' says caravan builder
A VICTORIAN caravan manufacturer, slapped with a hefty fine for failing to comply with safety improvement notices, says its workers are safe. Empire Caravans general manager Bill Konsol told Caravanning News he believed the $5500 penalty imposed by Broadmeadows magistrates was "very harsh indeed".

Exhibitors brace for fruitful show
EXHIBITORS are gearing up for one of the most successful Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Shows ever. Opening at Brisbane's RNA Showgrounds on June 8, the seven-day event will feature about 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest in RVs and associated industries. Production of caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes hit a 30-year high last year as the economic recovery saw greater numbers of RVs hitting the road. There are about 400,000 caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers registered in Australia, making it one of the world's most caravan-friendly countries. There are 112,000 registered in Queensland alone. Have your say

Theft family focuses on positives
A YOUNG nomadic family is focusing on the positives after the theft of cameras from its mobile home in outback South Australia. The family of six thought priceless photographs and videos of their travels were gone forever when a sneak thief raided their caravan but was over the moon when the gear turned up two weeks later at the bottom of an open-cut opal mine.

Fledgling company picks up sales at supershow
AUSTRALIA'S latest kid on the block – Exclusive Caravans – is already picking up orders for its Chinese-built caravans. General manager Peter Russell told Caravanning News the Queensland-based company had secured several sales after being squeezed into the Sydney Caravan, Camping, RV and Holiday Supershow at the last minute.

Downlights with sophistication
AUSTRALIAN-owned Narva has produced two new lamps for improving interior lighting in caravans and motorhomes. Featuring a stylish brushed metal facia ring and body with a frost lens, the flush mounted downlights are said to add a touch of sophistication and elegance.

Still plenty of shows to visit
ORGANISERS and exhibitors are reporting healthy sales as thousands of enthusiasts flock to this year's nationwide caravan and camping shows. There are still plenty of shows to visit as exhibitors showcase their latest models and range of must-have accessories. Caravanning News has compiled a list of dates and venues of events.

Easier parking planned for caravanners
CARAVANNERS visiting the picturesque Sunshine Coast town of Glasshouse Mountains in Queensland will soon enjoy easier parking. The local regional council has announced that $700,000 streetscape works, which include additional caravan and heavy vehicle parking, are scheduled to be finished by the end of August, weather permitting. Have your say.

Plea to grey nomads on feral camels and environment
GREY nomads are being urged to turn green to help the environment and also to report sightings of feral camels. As a new volunteer Green Nomads scheme was launched in northern Queensland, the Australian Feral Camel Management Project was appealing to caravanners to help track wild camels which are wreaking havoc in some states.

RVMAA survey results to remain secret
CARAVANNERS are being quizzed by the peak body representing Australia's RV manufacturing industry about their experiences with caravan ownership. But results from the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia survey will not be made public.

Sales soar at record-breaking show
CARAVAN sales at this year's NSW Caravan, Camping, RV and Holiday Supershow in Sydney reached all time high, with many exhibitors experiencing their most successful year yet. A record number of visitors – a phenomenal 17,474 – flocked to the show during its second day, affording the event the crown for the largest crowd numbers ever recorded on a single day at any state caravan and camping exhibition.

Winning team takes over Torquay Foreshore park
WINNING by name ... and winning by nature! Ryan and Kylie Winning have proved their successful management style by climbing the managerial ladder to take over the reins of a large and popular family caravan park in Victoria.

Pensioner's dream trip goes to pot
WOULD-BE grey nomad Brian Ogilvie thought his drug business would fund his longed-for caravanning trip around Australia. But today he is behind bars ... after police discovered 1kg of marijuana he planned to sell to finance his dream stashed away in his caravan.

Funny side of caravanning hits TV screens
THE HILARIOUS side of caravanning now features on Channel 9's popular Funniest Home Videos show. This follows a sponsorship deal with the Caravan, RV & Accommodation Industry organisation. The Saturday night show will screen contributed video clips from viewers until the end of November featuring the caravanning lifestyle and funny things which can happen while out and about. Have your say

Plane crash probe continues
EXPERTS are still trying to solve the mystery of why an aircraft nosedived into the ground after narrowly missing a New South Wales caravan park. Four people died and two others on board were critically injured when the doomed single-engine Piper Saratoga crashed into a paddock after skimming trees at Moree's Gwydir Caravan Park in the state's north-west.

Government grant to repair flood-damaged park
EUROA Caravan Park in Victoria has received a $295,000 government grant to help repair flood damage. The 110 site, 3.5-star park on the banks of the Sevens Creek was devastated in last year's floods. Work on its damaged infrastructure is scheduled to be finish by the middle of next year. The grant comes from the Flood Recovery Community Infrastructure Fund. Have your say

Beef capital pours cold water on rest area plea
QUEENSLAND'S beef capital seems unlikely to provide caravanners and other travellers with free overnight camping. Rockhampton Regional Council has been considering a request from the Australian Caravan Club and the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia to become more RV-friendly. But the authority has said it cannot oblige.

Repeat business vital, delegates told
REPEAT business is paramount to the caravan park industry, according to an award-winning management company. "It is much easier and more cost effective to keep customers than it is to gain new ones," Australian Tourist Park Management managing director Steve Billett said. Speaking at the Caravan, RV and Accommodation Industry of Australia national conference, he explained that his company's philosophy was simple ... always exceed customer expectations.

Grey nomads the backbone of outback tourism: study
GREY nomads form the backbone of the Sunshine State's outback tourism, according to new research. Outback Queensland Tourism Association has unveiled the results of a study of 500 visitors to the state's central-west, with some visitors revealing they particularly enjoyed outback camp fires, stargazing and isolation.

Parks frown on 'friendly town' moves
CARAVAN park operators at Tenterfield in NSW are frowning on moves to turn the holiday destination into a grey nomad "friendly town". Under the CMCA scheme, the town, known as 'the birth place of our nation', would have to provide travellers with cheap overnight camping sites. But some locals argue it would not be a good investment because many RVers bought only essentials such as fuel, milk and bread. Have your say

Pothole ruins couple's winter plans
A HUGE pothole ruined plans by two elderly Victorian caravanners to spend the winter in the Sunshine State. The couple, from Shepparton, was heading north when the elderly male driver swerved to avoid the hole on the Leichhardt Highway near Theodore, Queensland. Their 4WD was damaged and the caravan wrecked as the rig careered out of control. The driver escaped serious injury but his female passenger received treatment at Theodore Hospital for neck injuries. Have your say

Major shows 'a roaring success'
THE importer of a popular range of European-built caravans has dubbed the major caravans shows in Melbourne and Sydney "a roaring success". R.V. Asia Pacific general manager Chris Swann said successful sales results had been very encouraging for the caravan industry.

Thumbs up for Coffs Coast parks
CARAVANNERS and campers have given caravan parks and commercial camping grounds on NSW's Coffs Coast the thumbs up. According to a recent Coffs Coast Visitor Profile and Satisfaction Report, 57 percent said they were very satisfied with their accommodation compared with only a 36 percent approval rating from people who stayed in hotels or motels. Have your say

No support for planned beachfront tourist park
PLANS for a new 200-site council caravan park in a small NSW coastal community have received the cold shoulder from residents. Angry Cabarita Beach locals engaged Griffith University researcher Dr Kerrie Foxwell-Norton to undertake a study of the controversial oceanfront development. Cabarita Beach/Bogangar Residents’ Association has now formally presented her findings to Tweed Shire Council. Dr Foxwell-Norton said consultation with residents in focus groups found none supported the council's plans for a tourist park. Have your say

New options for Jayco poptops
JAYCO has released details of new options for its Discovery range of poptops. The Victorian-based manufacturer believes new upgrades will impress with stylish timber furniture, European door handles as well as venetian blinds on kitchen windows.

Bolwell in finals of international design awards
THE fully moulded fibreglass Edge caravan built by Victoria-based Bolwell RV has won a place in finals of 2011 Australian International Design Awards. The company will make its Queensland debut at the Queensland Caravan Camping and Touring Holiday Show. With the first customer unit delivered earlier this month, Bolwell will display two examples of its radical new Edge "luxury soft-roader" caravan in full production trim on the Kratzmann Caravans stand.

Boroma Roamers rally message
THE former owners of Boroma Caravans have sent their best wishes to scores of Boroma Roamers as they prepare for their annual rally. "Graeme and Judie Groves with Peter Russell would like to wish all the Boroma owners a great rally," they said in a message to Caravanning News.

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

May 2011	April 2011	March 2011	February 2011	January 2011	December 2010