WEST Australian caravan park owners claim they are still in the dark over their responsibilities during the upcoming schoolies celebrations.

They complain there is still confusion over the interpretation of the Liquor Control Act which police warn will be rigidly enforced during this year's Leavers Week revels in November.

This follows a crackdown on accommodation providers as thousands of school leavers plan festivities marking the end of their school life.

One caravan park has warned it will insist on youngsters signing a 'no-alcohol agreement' before they are allowed to stay there.

Dunsborough Lakes Caravan Park boss Herbert Schaal has introduced the move in a bid to protect him from a $10,000 fine if underage revellers are caught with booze in his park.

"Legally, I am not allowed to search people coming into our park," he complained. "There is no protection for me."

He is already taking bookings for this year and is demanding clarification of the liquor laws.

Dunsborough Lakes Caravan Park is popular with school leavers and received glowing reports on the web-based National Schoolies Week Forums. Some contributors describe it as a "great place" to stay but stress it is "pretty strict".

With several hundred schoolies due to celebrate at Busselton Holiday Village Caravan Park, owner Rob Johnston is a worried man. He complains that the new rules make him responsible for something he cannot control.
  
"Sure, if we were openly encouraging teenage drinking I could understand it," he reportedly said. "But if some kid walks across the caravan park with a carton and some policeman sees it, I can get a $10,000 fine."

Despite an assurance by the Licensing Enforcement Division, caravan parks complain that nothing has been issued to them in writing.

Police said the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor was considering the problem and would distribute letters to accommodation providers.

A police spokesman said there had been a meeting between the providers, the Shire of Busselton and the Licensing Enforcement Division to discuss the interpretation of the Liquor Control Act but agreed nothing had been issued in writing.

"The meeting was an opportunity for the accommodation providers to become aware of their obligations and responsibilities, and also to provide a forum for them to air their concerns," he added.

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