New Caravan Park Regs for Vic

[xcvator]

I was  informed by the park manager at Nagambie on the w/e that new regs were being introduced for Vic caravan parks.Minimum distance between walls will be 2m, minimum distance between tent pegs will be 1200mm( from adjoining sites). This is apparently so the fire brigade can gain access in an emergency.   

I can't recall ever hearing of a major conflagration in a van park involving multiple sites that weren't accessable from the roadways, and most sites are so small I could almost p1ss over them anyway.
Also got the impression that solid fuel was also on the hit list .
Is this just some twit in an office in Melbourne justifying his job, or am I just dumb and over critical 
 
http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/fm_files/attachments/plan_and_prepare/caravan-park-fire-safety-guideline-print.pdf
 

[Bird]

http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/113816/sub032.pdf
quick google got that

but hows this doozy from that
Recommendation:
That no Free Camping sites be set up and approved within a 50 km distance from a commercial caravan park.




http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0004/79186/1-2025892-Guide_to_the_Victorian_Caravan_Park_Regulations_-_Accessible_Version_020911.doc


http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/79194/1-2034493-Caravan_Park_Regulations_Guide_Version_2_September_2011.pdf havent got to this one

[Barry G]

http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/113816/sub032.pdf
quick google got that

but hows this doozy from that
Recommendation:
That no Free Camping sites be set up and approved within a 50 km distance from a commercial caravan park.




http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0004/79186/1-2025892-Guide_to_the_Victorian_Caravan_Park_Regulations_-_Accessible_Version_020911.doc


http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/79194/1-2034493-Caravan_Park_Regulations_Guide_Version_2_September_2011.pdf havent got to this one

Haven't read the links yet, but probably something to do with the b***sh!t compulsory 'economic impact statement' on all legislation and regulations. 
As free camping will reduce 'customers' for commercial sites it will be deemed a negative impact on commercial parks, and therefore something to be discouraged.  FFS!!!  The end result of the 'if you can't measure it then it isn't real' school of economics.

Have just had a read... As I suspected, the usual 'competitive neutrality' rubbish, based on the in-stated assumption that the 'norm' / 'status quo' / starting point is a fee-charging camp ground.  WHY???
If I have outlaid the $ to remote camp without damaging the environment, on a 'take nothing but photos, leave nothing but tyre tracks' basis, why shouldn't I be able to do so? Whatever happened to freedom of choice?  IF I wish to camp in a park I can, if not, I have already PAID for the equipment to camp remotely, equipment not needed in van parks. Why then should I have to pay twice?!
Will be interesting to see what Ted does to protect our rights.   About time this 'neutrality' nonsense, much loved by Jeffrey Kennett in his period as Premier, was consigned to the dust bin of history.

[Bird]

Will be interesting to see what Ted does to protect our rights

Think about what you just said.

I hope your not waiting for action

[Barry G]

Think about what you just said.

I hope your not waiting for action

Read the link and edited comments accordingly while you we're posting.

My question was rhetorical, of course... he will do nothing to protect our interests, because we don't fit the mild of sitting in van parks paying through the nose to hook up to 240 volts and not walk on the grass.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for those who want, and can afford it, to do so, however it isn't my thing.

However, I point, he won't do anything to look after the interests of the ordinary jack andjill who just want to get away for a quiet time, remote from camping fees that are steeper than the equivalent cost of renting a house.

[tojo100]

don't think Victoria is the only state with the free camp b/s some parts of qld are trying to do the same move you on or risk 200 dollar fine basically depends on shire and pressure from c/van park owners the problem is compounded by the fact that the amount of mines around there are a lot of workers that are semi permanents and hard to find accommodation at a reasonable price hence c/van parks don't have much space for travellers ,as well as the price to stay is increased by demand for accommodation

[Kit_e_kat9]

What are "caravan parks"?

Kit_e

[Bird]

don't think Victoria is the only state with the free camp b/s some parts of qld are trying to do the same move you on or risk 200 dollar fine basically depends on shire and pressure from c/van park owners the problem is compounded by the fact that the amount of mines around there are a lot of workers that are semi permanents and hard to find accommodation at a reasonable price hence c/van parks don't have much space for travellers ,as well as the price to stay is increased by demand for accommodation

Tassie are the same, theres been a few threads on that sadly...

But Qld defies logic. If theres no room due to perm's, then what are you supposed to do?? I'd love to see a case where someone tired and they crashed was moved on or threatened with a fine.

[Burnsy]

WA has had a rule for quite a while I think. I believe is something odd like 16km. Happy to be corrected if someone knows the real deal

[xcvator]

What are "caravan parks"?

Kit_e

Caravan parks are a place you  go to, to pay for the privelledge of being kept awake by loud mouth drunken people for half the night, then woken up at dawn by their kids running amok while waiting for the said drunken people to arise from their stupor which in turn puts yourself in a homicidal mood, wanting to go and throttle those concerned.
You can repeat this for as many nights as your wallet/mental state can stand, then you go home to have a rest   

[Kit_e_kat9]

Caravan parks are a place you  go to, to pay for the privelledge of being kept awake by loud mouth drunken people for half the night, then woken up at dawn by their kids running amok while waiting for the said drunken people to arise from their stupor which in turn puts yourself in a homicidal mood, wanting to go and throttle those concerned.
You can repeat this for as many nights as your wallet/mental state can stand, then you go home to have a rest   

   Well Said!  No wonder I have no idea what they are ... seems I've got standards!  LOL!

Kit_e

[D4D]

Why is it certain swaggers always knock a format of camping? If caravan parks are not for you that's great but don't keep harping on about it. There are valid reasons why people choose the type of camping they do. Just because you don't have the same reasons doesn't make your type of camping any better or worse. The point is people are out camping and isn't that what myswag is all about...

[Kit_e_kat9]

Why is it certain swaggers always knock a format of camping? If caravan parks are not for you that's great but don't keep harping on about it. There are valid reasons why people choose the type of camping they do. Just because you don't have the same reasons doesn't make your type of camping any better or worse. The point is people are out camping and isn't that what myswag is all about...

   I am not harping!  Knocking it maybe - for all those reasons listed, but not harping.    

Kit_e

[evolution]

I can definitely see both sides of the fence on this one.

When I was a younger lad, my father used to take me every year to a little caravan/camping park up on the river. Now when I say little.... I mean little. It had about 15 sites for caravans, maybe 10 tent sites and about 5 cabins. It had warm showers, a washing machine and a dip pool. It was always immaculate, always clean and shiny. The owners really looked after it and were really nice old people. (I think the last time we went they were around late 70's) The last year we went was because they were closing and no one was going to take over. We had been going for nearly 10 years by this point.

The following year my father booked us into a big caravan park further up the river. It was huge, HUNDREDS of people!!!.
We had a horrible time. We were booked in for three weeks and left after 5 days. We just couldn't handle the B*&L S*&T from all the obnoxious people.
We just packed up the car, drove around 20ks further upriver and found a free site. Still had showers and toilets but was fantastic.

Since those days I have done allot of parks and such and have found it a bit of a hit and miss. Some are fantastic and others are horrible. I think it depends on what you want out of your holiday and what you or your children need to be entertained.

Cheers
Evo

[crackacoldie]

sounding more like Victoria is not the place to be.  If they put too many regs inplace, tourists will just stop coming.  Freedom of choice is what makes this country.  Remove freedom of choice and people will not visit, meaning reduced spending in other areas, not just caravan park fees.

  Cracka

[Bird]

Tassie
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18911&start=0
http://www.realtasmania.com/topic/1307-free-camping-soon-to-vanish-from-tassie/

NSW
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=10864.0
Its happening everywhere... so people don't think that once one state gets it in they arent all going to scream and holler. Oh hang on, its happening - WA 16klms from towns..

Soon nowhere is the place to be.


edit: an interesting read
Bottom of page 2 onwards

[Caneye]

This will happen in all states and 50km, wow I'll have to travel further, burn more fossil fuels, now that's caring for the environment. Don't want to go through the city at peak hour, go park in a CP.

[Andrew_C]

It is worth reading the regs properly, the restrictions are on shires who have free camping at show grounds, recreation reserves and roadside rest areas run by the local shire or council. It will effect mostly gray nomads and bacpacker types who prop at these sites overnight I think. Although I have used roadside rest areas before on long hauls in remotish places

Bush camping is not effected unless it is in a shire reserve.
i would presume (maybe) roadside stops outside of towns that are managed by road management organisations ( ie vicroads) and not shire would not be effected.

[xcvator]

Why is it certain swaggers always knock a format of camping? If caravan parks are not for you that's great but don't keep harping on about it. There are valid reasons why people choose the type of camping they do. Just because you don't have the same reasons doesn't make your type of camping any better or worse. The point is people are out camping and isn't that what myswag is all about...

Flying High ?