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TASKFORCE FOR TOURISM AND NATIONAL PARKS SUBMISSION FORM THE

RE:

TASKFORCE FOR TOURISM AND NATIONAL PARKS SUBMISSION FORM THE




Taskforce for Tourism and National Parks


Submission form the:


Caravan & Camping Industry Association of NSW (CCIA)




The CCIA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Taskforce, and applauds the Terms of Reference for the review with the intention to enhance visitation and tourism opportunities for national parks in NSW.


The CCIA is the peak industry body representing caravan and holiday park operators in NSW, as well as manufacturers and dealerships of caravans, camping equipment and all types of RV’s. The Association works closely with Government Ministers and agencies such as: Tourism; Lands; Planning; Fair Trading; Local Government; Environment; Housing; and RTA.


The caravan, camping and holiday parks industry is the fastest growing tourism sector in Australia, and has been for the past 10 years – increasing at an annual rate of around 15%. This includes both park visitation and caravan / RV sales.


According to Tourism Research Australia: in 2007 there were 8 million domestic visitors staying overnight in caravan and camping accommodation, totaling 42 million nights (17% of Aust. Domestic visitor nights). The average stay is 5.7 nights.


What is so attractive about the caravan and camping sector?







The market sector demographics are:



National parks in NSW offer hundreds, if not thousands, of camping and ‘holiday park’ facilities which range from wilderness opportunities to more conventional caravan parks. Are these sites realising the visitation growth being experienced by the ‘commercial’ providers?


If not, why not?


Whereas there will always be a specific market for rustic camping opportunities, to experience the natural environment, the main stream consumer (and families) is demanding improved ‘caravan park’ and camp ground standards and facilities with a range of accommodation options. However, most national park camping sites provide fairly basic facilities and there tends to be a psychological aversion to going ‘commercial’ both in terms of facilities and in charging of higher camping fees (closer to the industry norm).


The essence of this submission is to recommend the NPWS embrace a more commercial approach by enhancing the camping / caravanning / accommodation (cabins) opportunities and facilities in selected (potentially) high demand sites. It is recommended that this be achieved by offering long term (20 t0 40 years) commercial / development leases for public tender.


This will allow the injection of private $$ into the development or enhancement of infrastructure and facilities (in most cases, some millions of dollars) which will attract more visitors to the camp ground / caravan park – as well as to visiting the natural attributes of the greater national park. It is doubtful that NPWS will ever have the financial or man power resources to achieve this themselves?


NPWS already operates a main stream caravan park in the Sydney basin, being Lane Cove River Tourist Park at North Ryde. However the true commercial viability of the park is questionable due to IR restrictions (Union or Public Service influences) resulting in over- staffing.


Also there is a precedence of NPWS offering long term commercial leases for holiday parks, such as Murramarang Resort at South Durras, and Myall Shores Holiday Park, at Myall Lake. Both of these parks offer extensive quality cabin accommodation, caravan and camping sites and conference facilities.


Any long term lease offered by NPWS can (obviously) specify environmental / sustainability conditions and required outcomes. That would not be an issue.

The CCIA operates a very successful and credible environmental / social certification program known as the Gumnut Awards which could be incorporated into any lease conditions, for example.


As further support for this proposal, it is recommended that NPWS look closely at the model and policies adopted by the Department of Lands in administering long term leases for caravan / holiday parks on Crown Land. Around one third of the caravan

parks in NSW are located on Crown Land, either under private leasehold, or run by Councils.


Currently, the Dept of Lands is identifying new greenfield sites for potential caravan parks (and other tourism infrastructure) to be offered for lease.


Also, Forests NSW, who also operate a number of camping grounds in their forest lands, have approached CCIA to seek advice about offering selected prime sites for commercial lease, similar to that proposed in this submission.


It seems logical that the three government agencies responsible for managing public lands (be they in different capacities) – adopt a similar policy regarding the ‘commercialisation’ of camping grounds.


If the recommendations in this submission are to be seriously considered, then it is also recommended that any ‘commercial’ development of camping grounds / caravan parks – for leasehold or otherwise – comply with the Local Government (Manufactured Home Estate, Caravan Parks, Camping Ground and Moveable Dwelling) Regulation 2005. Also that site pricing be competitive at the industry commercial rate, and complies with the Competitive Neutrality Guidelines.


If the Taskforce requires more details on the proposed commercial partnership opportunities outlined in this submission, then we are happy to respond.

TASKFORCE FOR TOURISM AND NATIONAL PARKS SUBMISSION FORM THE

Barry Baillie

Chief Executive Officer

Deputy Chairman, Tourism Industry Council of NSW

TASKFORCE FOR TOURISM AND NATIONAL PARKS SUBMISSION FORM THE TASKFORCE FOR TOURISM AND NATIONAL PARKS SUBMISSION FORM THE





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