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Time To Manage Itinerant Campers: Ingram

The Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, says it is time to embrace and manage itinerant campers visiting the electorate.

By Craig Ingram - 21st April 2009 - Back to News

"I have been working with the relevant agencies and discussing positive options for the management of the ever-increasing caravan and camper market," Mr Ingram said.

"Some operators in our region have expressed frustration at the presence of itinerant campers along river banks and other public areas as they perceive this growing trend as a threat to the viability and profitability of their business.

"Current warning signs discouraging itinerant camping on public land are ineffectual, as the authority to move campers on is not available in most areas.

"It is clear that embracing and managing the impact of camping and the range of sites available to itinerant campers is the best solution-- and arguably the only one.

"Prime sites across our region are regularly filled with large numbers of well-equipped motor homes, self-contained caravans and tents.

"Some choose to stay in caravan parks; others choose to use public land, state forest or national park.

"One of the major problems is that the current rules make it impossible to enforce the policies of our council and the best solution is to recognise this growing market and establish infrastructure and rules to manage their visit.

"I have met with East Gippsland Shire Council this week to discuss ways forward on this matter and this follows previous roundtable meetings I have had with council and other relevant stakeholders.

"The caravan and camping market is one of the largest growing sectors of the tourist industry and our region must embrace and manage this sector to ensure we get the most economic benefit from visitors," Mr Ingram concluded.

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Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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