❓ The Minister for Local Government outlines plans to review the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act, addressing issues like increased demand, sustainability of caravan parks, and evolving camper needs. The review aims to modernise legislation and support tourism in regional WA.
AnsweredQoN 380Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CARAVAN PARKS AND CAMPING GROUNDS ACT —
REVIEW
380. Mr P.T. MILES to the
Minister for Local Government:
At this time of the year the grey nomads will escape to the
north west in their caravans to enjoy the sunshine. Can the minister tell me
about plans to change the laws around camping and caravanning?
REVIEW
380. Mr P.T. MILES to the
Minister for Local Government:
At this time of the year the grey nomads will escape to the
north west in their caravans to enjoy the sunshine. Can the minister tell me
about plans to change the laws around camping and caravanning?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Wanneroo for his question. Very
rightly so, at this time of year a number of grey nomads head up to the north
west to escape the winter of the south. Just the other weekend I was up in
Broome to launch a review of the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act, which
is a very important process.
Mr V.A. Catania :
Thanks to royalties for regions.
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
Yes, member for North West Central, I will come to that in a minute.
We have over 72 000 caravans and 8 000 camper vans in Western
Australia and the demographics of our campers has changed so much these days. A
lot of these units are self-contained, complete with shower, toilet and solar
panels, and actually need very limited access. There are a number of places
throughout the north west where there is an overflow. On 1 June when I was in
Broome the police and community youth centre oval was being opened to take care
of the overflow from caravan parks when they fill up.
Demand for more caravan parks is one
issue. The other issue, of course, is trying to make sure that our caravan
parks are sustainable and I am sure all members have come across situations in
which caravan parks turn into park homes and after some years, the landowner
decides to sell land and all the park homes have to be shifted off the site. We
are undertaking a review of the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act and the
idea is to have a look at it. As I have mentioned, a number of things have
changed. More dump points for caravans are being looked at in towns. Also, as
the Minister for Environment just mentioned about Fitzgerald River National
Park, there is now a lot of nature-based stuff for campers who wish to get out
further into those areas. Having those areas to camp in the national parks
through the Department of Parks and Wildlife can also be a part of that
process. It is important to acknowledge that we have allocated $21 million
through that process for 16 national parks to increase those camping areas. The
idea is to have a review of the act. It has been 16 years since we have had an
opportunity to review it. There is the opportunity for grey nomads, as pointed
out by the member for Wanneroo, and for everyone involved in caravanning and
camping, to make a submission to that review to make sure that our legislation
is keeping up with the ever-changing environment of the caravan industry.
It was also good to be up in Broome
to meet a couple at the Roebuck Bay Caravan Park who have been going to the
same site for 15 years. They actually planted trees, which are now quite high,
next to their caravan site. Their site is right on the edge of Roebuck Bay and
they sit there each morning and look across the bay while having a cup of
coffee; it is a beautiful place to be. They take their tinny to catch some
crabs and fish, so it is a great lifestyle. For 15 years they have been going
up there for a minimum of 12 to 15 weeks a year to stay at the same site.
Again, this is about trying to make sure that caravan parks stay there. They
are very important for tourism and very important for the economy of those
regional towns all through the north west and Western Australia. It was great to
be there.
As the member for North West Central
pointed out, the review was done in partnership with Tourism WA, the Department
of Parks and Wildlife, Main Roads, my Department of Local Government and
Communities and the Department of Regional Development. They have come together
to review this act and it is very important for our tourism dollar throughout
the state that we have good caravan parks and facilities available.
rightly so, at this time of year a number of grey nomads head up to the north
west to escape the winter of the south. Just the other weekend I was up in
Broome to launch a review of the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act, which
is a very important process.
Mr V.A. Catania :
Thanks to royalties for regions.
Mr A.J. SIMPSON :
Yes, member for North West Central, I will come to that in a minute.
We have over 72 000 caravans and 8 000 camper vans in Western
Australia and the demographics of our campers has changed so much these days. A
lot of these units are self-contained, complete with shower, toilet and solar
panels, and actually need very limited access. There are a number of places
throughout the north west where there is an overflow. On 1 June when I was in
Broome the police and community youth centre oval was being opened to take care
of the overflow from caravan parks when they fill up.
Demand for more caravan parks is one
issue. The other issue, of course, is trying to make sure that our caravan
parks are sustainable and I am sure all members have come across situations in
which caravan parks turn into park homes and after some years, the landowner
decides to sell land and all the park homes have to be shifted off the site. We
are undertaking a review of the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act and the
idea is to have a look at it. As I have mentioned, a number of things have
changed. More dump points for caravans are being looked at in towns. Also, as
the Minister for Environment just mentioned about Fitzgerald River National
Park, there is now a lot of nature-based stuff for campers who wish to get out
further into those areas. Having those areas to camp in the national parks
through the Department of Parks and Wildlife can also be a part of that
process. It is important to acknowledge that we have allocated $21 million
through that process for 16 national parks to increase those camping areas. The
idea is to have a review of the act. It has been 16 years since we have had an
opportunity to review it. There is the opportunity for grey nomads, as pointed
out by the member for Wanneroo, and for everyone involved in caravanning and
camping, to make a submission to that review to make sure that our legislation
is keeping up with the ever-changing environment of the caravan industry.
It was also good to be up in Broome
to meet a couple at the Roebuck Bay Caravan Park who have been going to the
same site for 15 years. They actually planted trees, which are now quite high,
next to their caravan site. Their site is right on the edge of Roebuck Bay and
they sit there each morning and look across the bay while having a cup of
coffee; it is a beautiful place to be. They take their tinny to catch some
crabs and fish, so it is a great lifestyle. For 15 years they have been going
up there for a minimum of 12 to 15 weeks a year to stay at the same site.
Again, this is about trying to make sure that caravan parks stay there. They
are very important for tourism and very important for the economy of those
regional towns all through the north west and Western Australia. It was great to
be there.
As the member for North West Central
pointed out, the review was done in partnership with Tourism WA, the Department
of Parks and Wildlife, Main Roads, my Department of Local Government and
Communities and the Department of Regional Development. They have come together
to review this act and it is very important for our tourism dollar throughout
the state that we have good caravan parks and facilities available.
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