Time to Roam Magazine Issue 12 - December/January 2015 | Page 12

| upfront parks news Ships ahoy at South West Rocks New management for Dubbo Park Dubbo City Caravan Park is to get a $1m upgrade as part of a deal by the city council that will also see park management contracted to a private operator. Under the management contract, council will continue to own the park, with Australian Tourist Park Management (ATPM) appointing a manager. A council spokesman would not say whether fees would rise as a result of the deal. New CEO for BIG4 BIG4 Holiday Parks has appointed Steven Wright as its new CEO. Mr Wright took up the helm in October was formerly head of Tourism & Events Queensland. Mr Wright says he is joining BIG4 at a pivotal time in the industry with the recent sharp fall in the dollar providing strong incentive for Australians to consider holidaying at home, as well as bringing in more overseas tourists. “One of my first priorities is looking at how we harness this, ensuring our target audiences are aware of our fantastic key products and offerings,” he said. Going after nomads Smoking banned in NSW parks A new parks network has been launched especially for grey nomads. Kui Parks group aims to fill the gap between free camping and resort-style holiday parks, offering inexpensive, nomad-friendly facilities run by independent caravan park operators. Created by experienced caravanners Bert and Kenau van Spronsen, Kui Parks has signed up its first 20 parks and aims to have 100 within a year. “Nomads seek cost effective and clean, friendly parks while travelling, and they do not want to pay for facilities they don’t use at the ‘destination’ parks,” Mr Spronson said. Camping grounds have been included in a ban on smoking in all NSW National Parks. The ban will take effect from January 1, with a community education campaign to be launched before $300 fines take effect. The ban applies to picnic areas, campgrounds, beaches, lookouts and walking tracks in all 860 national parks. According to the NSW Government, drivers going through a park on local roads smoking in cars will also face a fine if spotted. Environment Minister Rob Stokes said the ban would not only reduce the threat of bushfires but also help reduce the thousands of cigarette butts left behind by smokers in the State’s parks network. Share news from your park: [email protected] 12 timetoroam.com.au BIG4 Sunshine South West Rocks Holiday Park in NSW has opened a castawaythemed water park costing $750,000. The centrepiece is a former fishing trawler rescued from the shores of Port Macquarie. The 50ft trawler has been transformed into a replica tall ship, submerged in a lagoon pool. BIG4 Sunshine South West Rocks CEO, Tony Mayne, says if the ship and water park doesn’t drag kids away from their electronic screens this summer, “nothing will”. Lake Moogerah here to stay Queensland’s Scenic Rim Council has rejected claims Lake Moogerah Caravan Park is to close. The council says some cabins will have to be moved out of flood prone areas and it is making a master plan for the future direction of the park beyond 2016. The assurance comes after a “Save Lake Moogerah Caravan Park” Facebook page received more than 4000 likes. The popular park south of Ipswich attracts hundreds of campers and water skiers during peak season. Concerns for Arrawarra Locals and residents of Arrawarra Beach Holiday Park on the NSW mid north coast have flagged concerns over possible redevelopment. The concerns were raised after the park’s owner, felled around 40 trees on the property. Park management told Roam the trees were felled to limit risk on the property. Facelift for Parkes The council-owned caravan park at Parkes NSW is to get a taxpayer-funded facelift thanks to a regional tourism grant worth close to $80,000. Work includes upgrading unpowered sites to be RV friendly, with 10 sites to be available for $10 a night by next April. The grant will also finance the development of two cabins.