Peak body releases industry roadmap

The peak body representing the NSW caravan industry, has outlined the key priorities for the state government to ensure continued growth of the state's booming $2 billion caravan and camping industry.

Releasing its Delivering its Key Issues, NSW Election 2015 document in the lead up to next year’s state election, the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW (CCIA) is campaigning for a host of regulatory changes designed to cut red tape and stimulate growth, from less stamp duty on motorhomes to marketing campaigns aimed directly at Chinese tourists.

The CCIA is also pushing for new “restricted licensing” laws that would allow caravan production workers to complete electrical and gas fitting previously out-sourced to specialist tradespeople.

“The RV sector would greatly benefit from the introduction of restricted licensing for their employees undertaking electrical and gas fitting work in vehicles as part of the manufacturing, servicing and repairs processes,” it says in the document.

“This would alleviate the need to contract licensed tradespeople from the building industry who are not always familiar with these products, as well as deliver time and cost savings that would improve business efficiency.”

It also advocates advertising campaigns specifically aimed at the growing number of Chinese tourists, that would increase “their awareness of caravan and camping experiences, including cabin stays”.

The CCIA is also lobbying for a reduction of stamp duty charged on new and used motorhomes in NSW, to bring the state into line with Victoria and Queensland. It’s suggested a flat rate stamp duty of 2.5 per cent on new vehicles and 3 per cent on used vehicles.

According to the CCIA around 337 units were bought in a year by buyers travelling interstate to avoid the higher stamp duty, representing around $5.7 million in “lost business”.
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While the CCIA welcomes recent government moves to reduce the cost of caravan registration in NSW, it wants further reductions in line with other states and to reflect the fact that most RVs spend less time on the road than other vehicles.

The CCIA document was developed from feedback and advice from the organisation’s 700-plus member businesses and, according to the CCIA it “outlines a clear roadmap to continue to deliver the holiday and residential products, experiences and services desired by so many NSW residents”.?

To read the full document, click here.