A QUEENSLAND council is anxious to attract a bigger slice of the
growing RV market.
Fraser Coast Regional Council is seeking expressions of interest to
provide commercial low-cost camping options to lure more caravanners and
other travellers.
It has asked the State Government to endorse amendments to the Fraser
Coast Planning Scheme to encourage camping options so it can cater for
the increasing number of RVers hitting the road.
"We are encouraging anyone who is interested in setting up facilities to
attract RVs to come forward with their development proposals," a spokesman
told Caravanning News.
"Low-cost camping options may include the provision of 100 camp sites or
sites for 50 self-contained RVs on rural zoned land or in connection with
an existing caravan park."
He said the initiative was one of a number that resulted from the council
adopting the Fraser Coast Camping Options Strategy in March last year.
The strategy was aimed at positioning the Fraser Coast as an active
camping community and destination of choice for camping, caravanning and
RV users.
"The council has received a number of enquiries relating to proposals for
developments and is hopeful that should the State Government endorse the
proposed amendments, new options will open up for caravan and RV
travellers to stay in our region," the spokesman said.
Other successful initiatives introduced as part of the strategy included the
launching of "Stop and Shop" sites.
These encourage people to stay awhile and enjoy the Fraser Coast’s
attractions and explore its shops in exchange for a free overnight stay at
designated Stop and Shop rest stops.
"It creates an incentive for the RV market to stay and explore the region
and stay longer in one of our fantastic local caravan parks," the
spokesman explained.
Stop and Shop sites have been established at Hervey Bay Visitor
Information Centre at the junction of Maryborough and Hervey Bay roads,
the Alan and June Brown carpark in Kent Street, Maryborough, and at Beck
Road in Hervey Bay.
RV travellers have to spend $10 at a local business and show their receipt
at the Maryborough or Hervey Bay Visitor Information centres to obtain a
voucher to stay for up to 20 hours in the designated long parking areas.
Data gathered as part of the permit system has shown that since its
introduction last July, 180 permits have been issued in Hervey Bay, with
an average spend of $124.64.
The newly opened Maryborough site has attracted 35 permits, with an
average spend of $132.72.
The Beck Road Stop and Shop opened last month and the council said it was
looking forward to the area, with a fenced dog off leash area nearby,
proving popular.
In addition to the Stop and Shop sites, the council has bush and basic
non-commercial camping at Tiaro's Memorial and Petrie parks and at Rossendale Park and Bauple Drive, Bauple.
Travellers are permitted to stay for 48 hours at no cost.
