Tassie supports budget campers

Tasmania’s local government minister Bryan Green, has said that Tasmanian councils could continue to provide low cost overnight camping for recreational vehicle users in compliance with National Competition Policy (NCP).

Green said a Statewide Directions Paper – Review of Council Recreational Vehicle Overnight Camping Services had been completed and found that councils had a responsibility to adhere to NCP.

Councils sought a review of council-managed camping services last year following complaints to the Tasmanian Economic Regulator (TEC) from private caravan site operators about councils providing free or low-priced overnight RV camping services.

“The aim of the review was to ensure councils who operate camping services are aware of their responsibility to comply with the principles of competitive neutrality,” Green said in a statement.

“Closing council-provided camping services was never the intention of the review,” he said, referring to outraged grey nomads who threatened to boycott the Apple Isle.

However, as council-provided facilities could unfairly impact on private caravan parks, Green encouraged “councils to work with local businesses to find ways of meeting tourist and community needs".

“Councils have already indicated they want to keep prices as low as possible for low-service facilities – in the vicinity of $5 to $15 a night – which means there will still be low-cost options available for travellers in the State.”

Green said Tasmanian towns would still be able to secure ‘RV Friendly’ status via the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA).

According to the CMCA RV Friendly towns, of which there are 25 in Tasmania, must provide a range of amenities and services including “provision of longer term parking within 5-20km of town centre, at a reasonable rate”.