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 Cops seize cannabis and cash

NOT SO HAPPY CAMPER AFTER DRUGS BUST

POLICE arrested a South Australian man, 38, after allegedly finding 13kg of cannabis hidden in a false floor of a 4WD's rooftop tent at an Emerald Springs campsite in the NT. A 29-year-old Darwin man was also taken into custody at a local caravan park, police claiming they later found approximately $95,000 in cash and a small amount of cannabis at his residence in The Narrows. Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Schiller described the seizure as "significant", adding: "This was the culmination of a long running investigation into a reasonably well organised group. The cannabis was well hidden within a purpose-built compartment within a tent affixed to the roof of the vehicle." There were 30 cryovaced pound bags located, with a street value in Darwin of about $220,000 but double that in remote communities. "It would be fair to say that at the moment we have one unhappy camper and one very dissatisfied customer," Det Sen Sgt Schiller added.
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  LUXURY CARAVAN STOLEN

THIEVES made off with a 6.7m Paramount Tribute caravan worth $68,000 from Roadmaster Caravans at Lonsdale, South Australia. The brazen crooks cut the padlock to the main gates and heaved one caravan out of the way before hitching up and driving off with the privately-owned dual axle luxury caravan, which had been stored in the yard after repairs to its springs. Roadmaster owner Larry Weepers told Caravanning News the thieves were unable to tow the first caravan because it was fitted with a rubber block tow hitch. "Their vehicle would have needed the correct towing equipment, not the standard kind," he said. The stolen caravan, registered number SA S830TAA and manufactured in 2009, was white and fawn and fitted with a dishwasher, washing machine, Waeco wine cooler and single beds. The front protection strip was made from checker plate aluminium which is not standard. Have your say

Campervan triggers freeway death crash

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A CORONER has called for action to ensure the safety of potentially lethal slide-on campervans.

An inquest heard how a seven-vehicle pile-up which claimed the life of a driver on the Hume Freeway in New South Wales was triggered by an out-of-control slide-on recreational vehicle.

The driver of the utility on which the slide-on was attached, English tourist Donna Bennington, told police it began swaying from side to side after she drove over a shallow depression in the road surface.

She said it became so violent she lost control of the vehicle, which flipped onto its side.

Deputy Coroner Carmel Forbes has now urged the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to take action to ensure the stability of this type of campervan.

She also said changes should be made to the national code of practice for modifying light vehicles so that unstable campervans were not allowed on the nation's roads.

Four renters who had driven the Queensland-registered vehicle claimed it was dangerously difficult to control when travelling at more than 80kph.

According to reports, the campervan is still being rented out and is now on a three-month round-Australia trip.

Gary focuses on world record

FORMER school principal-turned caravanner and photographer Gary Oliver has claimed a new world record. Gary and wife Glenda, from Victoria, have just completed a year-long, 55,000km odyssey touring Australia in their Jayco caravan, during which Gary photographed a staggering 518 wild birds. "It was our personal challenge," the triumphant travellers confessed to Caravanning News. "A bit nerdy – even crazy perhaps. But for us it was an adventure that would take us to most parts of our great country and give us a special focus when we visited so many special places."

Man charged after alleged gun drama

POLICE SWOOP ON SUSPECTED
DRUGS LAB AT CARAVAN  PARK

PART of a Perth caravan park was cordoned off as police probed a suspected methamphetamine lab following a reported shooting drama. A spokesman at the Kenlorn Caravan Park in Queens Park declined to comment when contacted by Caravanning News. "I haven't been down there," he said when asked to describe the scene. The park describes itself as "friendly and safe". Police swooped on the caravan park in Treasure Road after detaining a man allegedly involved in a shooting incident. Reports allege a gun was fired at several tenants shortly before midnight. A 28-year-old man was later charged with a string of drugs and weapons offences including going armed in public to cause fear, unlawful possession of a controlled weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon and attempting to manufacture a prohibited drug. Have your say

Tributes flood in as forum loses guiding light
THE man who helped turn an online caravanners' forum into the biggest in Australia has died after losing his battle with cancer. Sixty-seven-year-old administrator Greg Juleff (Groovy) from Wollongong in NSW was a guiding light behind the 7500-member Caravaners Forum, which was flooded with tributes and messages of sympathy after news of his death.

Reaction invited to Apple Isle free camping review
FEEDBACK has been invited on a review of council-managed cheap or free overnight camping facilities for caravanners and other RVers in Tasmania. This follows a decision by the Apple Isle's Economic Regulator who found in favour of private caravan park operators after complaints they were losing revenue.

BIG4 moves to accommodate tech-savvy caravanners
AUSTRALIA'S biggest holiday park chain continues its march into the technological age. This was reflected in BIG4's recent conference where delegates discussed initiatives which would help the chain in the fast-evolving new digital age of smart phones and computors. "We can't deny we all moving rapidly into a more technology-driven world," chief executive officer Ray Scheibs told Caravanning News after the two-day gathering in Perth.

Six vie for state's top park title
SIX caravan parks have been named finalists in NSW's Tourism Awards. BIG4 Deniliquin Holiday Park, BIG4 North Star Holiday Resort & Caravan Park, BIG4 Soldiers Point Holiday Park, Halifax Holiday Park, Lane Cove River Tourist Park and Norah Head Holiday Park will go head-to-head on November 17.

Leisurefest proves RV love affair alive and thriving
THERE seems to be no let-up in Australia's love affair with caravans and other recreational vehicles ... and the recent Melbourne Leisurefest proved it. Major shows throughout the country have reported brisk business and happy exhibitors as wannabe grey nomads and younger families clamour to place orders for new RVs.

New age dawns as dream comes true
THE owners of New Age Caravans in Victoria have finally realised their dream ... to open their own retail showroom. "It has been a goal of ours ever since we opened the manufacturing doors," managing director Gabby Barrasso told Caravanning News.

Boat giant makes waves with first caravan
AUSTRALIA'S largest leisure boat company is making new waves ... in the caravan industry. The Queensland-based Haines Group, which has flourished from a backyard business to become a marine giant, has produced its first caravan. The 21ft fibreglass 640 Elite, developed through a joint consultation program with caravan dealers, made its debut at the pre-Christmas caravan and camping show at Brisbane's RNA showground and received glowing reports. Have your say

History-making move opens doors to all RVs
IN a history-making move, the Australian Caravan Club has opened its doors to all RVers. At their annual general meeting at Bingara in NSW, members voted to allow anyone owning a recreational vehicle – whether a camper-trailer, caravan, fifth-wheeler, campervan or motorhome – to join.

Aspen chairman to step down
THE chairman of Aspen Group, which operates a successful nationwide chain of caravan parks, is quitting. Reg Gillard has announced he will hand over the reins to non-executive director Frank Zipfinger, who joined the Aspen board in January this year, at the group's annual general meeting on November 28.

Youngsters launch bush road safety DVD
YOUNGSTERS in the Queensland grazing town of Charters Towers have produced a DVD aimed at improving road safety in the bush. The local Queensland Country Women's Association Younger Set's 40-minute movie is targeted at travellers, caravanners and grey nomads who might be unfamiliar with problems and dangers on country roads.

Council nod for new $50m park
A PROPOSED new $50m caravan park at Pinjara south of Perth in WA has been given the go-ahead by the local shire council. Developers Liminos Property Group said it would be one of the biggest caravan and lifestyle parks in the state's capital. It was proposed to offer 400 caravan bays as well as other accommodation options for long-stays and permanent residence. No time frame has been set for the development, which would offer a "family friendly and fun place to visit or live". Have your say

Vandal-plagued Dawn, 80, battles on
EIGHTY-YEAR-OLD caravan park operator Dawn Prendergast is battling on ... despite an onslaught of mindless vandalism. In the latest blow, tearaways set fire to an empty house at the neatly-kept, 135-site Citygate Caravan Park at Lavington in New South Wales.

New generation shouldering out grey nomads
MOVE over grey nomads ... there's a new generation moving in! According to Australia's caravan industry, more and more people in the 30 to 39 age bracket are hiring RVs for camping holidays, to the point where they now outnumber retirees. The Caravan and Camping Industries Association of SA reports that latest figures show about 2.1 million holidaymakers in the age group now flock to caravan parks, with another 1.4 million in the 25 to 34 age bracket. Have your say

Hot news for NT travellers
CARAVANNERS in or heading to the Northern Territory have been warned they now need photoelectric smoke alarms in their RVs. Fire and Rescue Service district officer Grant Hamon told Caravanning News that caravans and motorhomes needed to fitted with the new devices from November 1.

Thugs attack caravan couple
POLICE were hunting two teenage thugs who beat up an elderly couple who went to investigate noises at 1am outside their caravan. The 69 and 73-year-old victims were taken to hospital after the cowardly attack at the Narrabri caravan park in New South Wales. Both offenders, who wore hooded jumpers, fled on foot. Have your say

Narva makes light of dark awnings
NARVA has released new awning lamps which it claims are ideal for caravans and motorhomes. The Australian-owned company said they combine impressive light output with modern styling and advanced new features.

Early Christmas for Coromal owners
VICTORIA'S Coromal Caravan Owners Club plan to celebrate Christmas early this year. Up to 60 members will be in festive mood when they assemble for their November rally at Marong Caravan & Cabin Village. 'Christmas Day' will be held on November 19 and will kick off with nibbles followed by a "long and relaxed afternoon lunch" starting at 2pm and running into dinner at 7pm. Have your say

ATPM extends Central Coast management deal
AUSTRALIAN Tourist Park Management has clinched a new deal to continue running Wyong Shire Council's NSW Central Coast caravan parks. The award-winning partnership means ATPM will manage the 3-5 star Budgewoi, Canton Beach, Norah Head and Toowoon Bay holiday parks for another three years.

Park owner relives floods horror
A CARAVAN park operator has relived the horror of battling Queensland's worst ever floods. Wallace Motel and Caravan Park owner John Kennedy recalled at the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry how he and staff worked flat out evacuating tourists and visitors when his riverside park at Maryborough, in the state's south-east, was inundated in January's multi-billion dollar disaster.

Researchers to probe climate change impact on parks
A FEDERAL government-funded study aims to probe possible economic effects of climate change on coastal caravan parks and camping grounds in Victoria. Up to 2000 park guests and locals will be quizzed during the $145,000 research project, which will be undertaken by the Western Coastal Board.

Sites under bulldozer threat
NEARLY 150 caravan and camping sites at Broome's Palm Grove Holiday Park in WA could be bulldozed in a planned $50 million redevelopment project. The first stage of transforming the site – about 200m from Cable Beach – into a luxury resort and apartments has been given the green light and is expected to be completed within two years.

Big-hearted caravanners raise thousands for RFDS
BIG-HEARTED caravanners raised thousands of dollars for the Royal Flying Doctor Service during a weeklong rally. Members of the Combined Caravan Clubs of Queensland handed a cheque for $7500 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, its chosen charity. The money was raised by way of donations from affiliated clubs and events during the 36th state rally, held at Maryborough Showground.

New insurance underwriters take a bow
A NEW caravan park insurance underwriting agency has hit the scene. Based in Wyong on the NSW Central Coast, All Parks Insurance specialises in caravan parks, holiday resorts and lifestyle villages. The agency is the result of a joint venture between Cairns-based insurance broker Joe Vella, NSW underwriter Julie Pernecker and Holland Insurance. Have your say

Grey nomads beating ID theft
WORRIED grey nomads are turning to mail forwarding services in increasing numbers to overcome a rise in identity theft. The boss of a family-owned company which operates a mail collection and forwarding service said crooks often targeted letters meant for people who were away from home.

Industry mourns death of stalwart
NEW South Wales' caravanning industry has paid tribute to one of the state's leading industry figures who died after a heart attack. David Carrick was a longstanding member of the Caravan and Camping Industry Association (CCIA) and proprietor of the Jayco Sydney dealership.

Industry offers advice to caravanning newbies
AS the popularity of caravanning and camping holidays continue to soar, NSW's caravanning industry has offered some valuable advice for beginners. There are things that everyone should know before they buy a caravan or set up camp for the night, it says.

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

October 2011	September 2011	August 2011	July 2011	June 2011	May 2011