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QUEENSLAND'S remote areas would be blessed with more caravan parks and
camping grounds, if the authors of a new report had their way.
Grey nomads were highlighted as the most significant contributor to the
state's North West tourism market in the recently-launched Outback,
Gulf and Western Downs Tourism Opportunity Plan.
"Camping and caravanning as part of the touring market are key experiences
for the region," the 38-page plan from Tourism Queensland said.
The plan's purpose is to provide direction for sustainable tourism
development over the next five years.
It identifies and suggests new and upgraded tourism products to meet
future visitor expectations and demands.
The plan also earmarks the need for new investment in infrastructure to
support the ongoing development of tourism and provides relevant
research-based information on tourism supply and demand.
Camping and caravanning facilities needed to be more effectively managed
to maximise economic and commercial returns, minimise environmental issues
and increase visitor satisfaction, it said.
Developing an integrated camping and caravan park strategy would identify
all free camping grounds across the region and help formulate a plan to
upgrade these sites where necessary and manage them in coordination with
established commercial caravan parks.
"This will provide a suite of camping and caravan experiences across the
region," the plan said.
"This strategy will complement and coordinate with the Outback Mates'
program aimed at creating passionate ambassadors for the region, in
particular targeting the touring market.
"These ambassadors will demonstrate true outback character and spirit by
welcoming and assisting visitors to make the most of their trip to the
region."
The report makes mention of the Western Downs' Tara caravan park which has
limited sites for visitors, "with local residents as the main occupancy".
"Private investment in the development of an additional caravan park in
Tara targeted at visitors to the town is required. The Tara Lagoon
Parklands Caravan Site requires the sealing and supply of power to the
area," it said.
The plan suggests the Departments of Main Roads and Environment and
Resource Management join local councils in the Far West to prepare a
business case and feasibility study for remote area camping and
accommodation sites in emerging areas.
"This should be linked to an outback-wide camping and caravan review and
complement existing plans of management for national parks (e.g.
Diamantina Lakes National Park)," it said.
With the Etheridge Shire Council reclaiming some of the old town reserves
around Gilberton, Durram, Forsayth and Gilbert River, the report believed
there was now potential for private investment in accommodation such as
caravan parks and this should be investigated.
