Re: Dont Lock Up Australia!!!
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:27 am
On reading the original post I found that on following the link and then taking it further, it was in fact a blurb for a newly formed NSW political party, "The outdoor recreation Party (Stop The Greens)" that lists it's aims a Free access to public land, one of their listed policies was stated as
Government services • No competing with the private sector,
so I sent an email asking for some explanation of this, I received the following:
Hi John,
I appreciate your concern. However, our view is that cheap Council caravan parks are merely subsidised by ratepayers and not a solution. Better options would be:
1. No ownership of caravan parks by government (state, local or federal). The government should not engage in business.
2. Fewer restrictions on caravan park establishment by private operators, so that there was more supply and lower prices.
3. Facilities for caravaners to dump their waste without staying the night. We wouldn’t mind if Councils provided these.
4. Removal of restrictions on free camping. I’ve done it myself many times.
Regards,
David Leyonhjelm
_____________________
Registered Officer
Outdoor Recreation Party
0418 461 431
I replied as Follows
Hi David,
In reply to your email Item 4 is in complete denial of items 1 and 2.
As is the current stand of the Caravan Parks association who see free camping and all its ramifications as being in unfair competition to their own interests, and they appear to be doing their utmost to make it illegal.
You obviously of the opinion that the $500 per week (which is the budget of most travellers, (being in effect the pension for a couple) spent by the average motorhome/ caravan on an extended trip, is not significant, unless it is first filtered through the pockets of a caravan park, and that other small business is less valued, as a ratepayer, than the owner of a Caravan Park.
Go and have a look at Home Hill, Theodore, Ravenshoe and Babinda, all in Queensland, who all have free camps and who willingly will explain that up to 80% of the town's income comes from the Grey Nomads, who shun the adjacent larger towns, though they often have cheaper prices, but insist that every one stays in their Caravan Jails.
Go for a drive and look at the number of the older generation who are out there, yet the Caravan park Association will tell you that they form less than 3% of their custom, it is no wonder that they are trying earnestly to legislate (and blackmail) all into their parks in an attempt to gain some share of this market. Would not it make more sense for them to enter some form of marketing plan and determine why they are not getting a share of this market. I can tell you in one word PRICE.
You state that you are of the opinion that cheaper council owned Caravan parks are subsidised by the rate payers, do not all land owners pay rates, if my rates are used to establish a council owned park, that does not allow permanents and provides only basic facilities, in my area. I would be very happy about it, I would probably never use it, though I would use the same services in a distant shire or state. Surely all rights and privileges are reciprocal.
I assume that will be the last I will hear from them.
Government services • No competing with the private sector,
so I sent an email asking for some explanation of this, I received the following:
Hi John,
I appreciate your concern. However, our view is that cheap Council caravan parks are merely subsidised by ratepayers and not a solution. Better options would be:
1. No ownership of caravan parks by government (state, local or federal). The government should not engage in business.
2. Fewer restrictions on caravan park establishment by private operators, so that there was more supply and lower prices.
3. Facilities for caravaners to dump their waste without staying the night. We wouldn’t mind if Councils provided these.
4. Removal of restrictions on free camping. I’ve done it myself many times.
Regards,
David Leyonhjelm
_____________________
Registered Officer
Outdoor Recreation Party
0418 461 431
I replied as Follows
Hi David,
In reply to your email Item 4 is in complete denial of items 1 and 2.
As is the current stand of the Caravan Parks association who see free camping and all its ramifications as being in unfair competition to their own interests, and they appear to be doing their utmost to make it illegal.
You obviously of the opinion that the $500 per week (which is the budget of most travellers, (being in effect the pension for a couple) spent by the average motorhome/ caravan on an extended trip, is not significant, unless it is first filtered through the pockets of a caravan park, and that other small business is less valued, as a ratepayer, than the owner of a Caravan Park.
Go and have a look at Home Hill, Theodore, Ravenshoe and Babinda, all in Queensland, who all have free camps and who willingly will explain that up to 80% of the town's income comes from the Grey Nomads, who shun the adjacent larger towns, though they often have cheaper prices, but insist that every one stays in their Caravan Jails.
Go for a drive and look at the number of the older generation who are out there, yet the Caravan park Association will tell you that they form less than 3% of their custom, it is no wonder that they are trying earnestly to legislate (and blackmail) all into their parks in an attempt to gain some share of this market. Would not it make more sense for them to enter some form of marketing plan and determine why they are not getting a share of this market. I can tell you in one word PRICE.
You state that you are of the opinion that cheaper council owned Caravan parks are subsidised by the rate payers, do not all land owners pay rates, if my rates are used to establish a council owned park, that does not allow permanents and provides only basic facilities, in my area. I would be very happy about it, I would probably never use it, though I would use the same services in a distant shire or state. Surely all rights and privileges are reciprocal.
I assume that will be the last I will hear from them.
