Australia’s grey nomads have shown support for a decision by the council to consider a six-month trial of short-term caravan stays at Dalyston Recreation Reserve.
According to a report, during the council’s December meeting, Councilor Bruce Kent submitted a motion requesting council officers to conduct a strategic review of the shire’s camping needs and to present the results mid-year.
In connection with the motion, the Dalston Football Ground Committee of Management also requested to conduct a six-month trial of caravan short stays at the reserve.
Inverloch resident Mervyn Trott, a member of two RV clubs, highly supports the trials at Dalyston and stated that the shire was highly deficient in RV-friendly campsites.
“Both clubs meet once a month, and we go to local community places such as halls, bowling clubs, and community halls,” Trott said.
“We go all around Gippsland, mainly Latrobe Valley, except Bass Coast,” Trott added.
Trott claimed that most caravans and RV owners were semi-retired or retired and could not afford to stay in caravan parks if they only needed an overnight stop.
“We travel north every year for four to five months,” he said.
“We stay at caravan parks along the coast, but on the way, if we’re just driving up, we don’t want to spend AU$40-plus a night. We just need to park the bus somewhere.”
Trott noted that short stays can be beneficial for community groups and would boost the tourism of small towns.
“People go shopping, and they support the local areas,” he said.
“It gives the clubs more options and more venues, and most of these community facilities are struggling and need funds.”
In a report by the council, the strategic review will include a stakeholder engagement plan and should consider the economic impact, supply and demand, as well as the most desirable locations.