A Strategic Approach to the Caravan and Camping Industry 2012

Farm and Stations present an opportunity for development of small scale caravan and
camping facilities. However, The Land Administration Act 1997 (LAA) stipulates that a
pastoral lessee may not use a pastoral lease for other purposes, unless, in accordance
with a permit that has been granted for the particular purpose.
The Pastoral Lands Board may issue Diversification Permits for pastoralists to carry out
other activities, provided those activities are supplementary to the pastoral activities
on the lease. The terms of the Diversification Permits restrict the pastoral lessee to
charging a fee only to cover costs of providing the service.
Section 79 of the LAA provides for the excision of an area of land from the pastoral
lease and the issue of a lease on that land to a tourist operator. Normally, this would
occur through a competitive tender process, which is a disincentive to a tourism
developer who has provided the concept.
Farms and pastoral leases present an excellent opportunity to improve the caravan
and camping infrastructure diversity and user experience and consideration should be
given to removing regulatory impediments.
Another area of high potential to increase the caravan and camping site inventory in
the State is through the co-location of facilities. Potential co-locations are racetracks,
farms and stations, wineries, worker’s accommodation camps, roadhouses,
Indigenous communities and community facilities (see section on Co-Location of
Facilities on page 35).
There appears to be little political will to quarantine in perpetuity, the private land on
which existing and future caravan park developments are (will be) situated for use as
caravan parks and campgrounds exclusively. Therefore, only caravan parks located on
Crown Land may have the use protected. Even then there are examples of such land
being converted to freehold and eventually sold for alternative use.
Trends - Market, Industry and External
Major changes to the market have occurred over the last decade as caravan parks
seek to expand their markets toward high yield tourists. High quality cabin
accommodation in caravan parks competes favourably with other bedded
accommodation.
sites, resort-style swimming pools, camp kitchens, Wi-Fi connection and leisure
amenities add to visitor experiences.
Increasing numbers of caravan parks are embracing the digital online revolution and
have websites, social media presence and online booking systems. There are even
mobile apps that allow consumers to find caravan park locations.
Due to the significant gap between the stated needs of traditional recreational
caravan and camping consumers and the product that industry has on offer,
consumers are willing to illegally camp at unauthorised camping areas. This impacts
on the viability of tourist site sections of licensed caravan parks.
Caravan and camping consumer organisations argue strongly for the presence of more
low cost or no cost camping options, as well as increased provision and maintenance
of supporting facilities and amenities such as dump points. This has nurtured a
plethora of print directories and online listings and forums promoting freedom
camping. In their submission to The Economics and Industry Standing Committee
Inquiry into the Provision, Use and Regulation of Caravan Parks (and Campgrounds) in
Western Australia, the CMCA noted that:
“The needs and preferred experiences of the RV self-contained segment are
evolving in a different direction to the character and services offered by
caravan parks. The number of mobile travellers is increasing, and recreational
vehicle manufacturers, through improvements in technology, are producing a
wider range of more self-contained vehicles.
Travellers are looking for some or all of the following attributes:
A range of camping options - including budget options.
Access to shopping and dining with easy access for their new technology
vehicles.
Minimal on-site services - maximum access opportunities.
Australiana experiences, especially overseas visitors in RVs.
Eco locations and informal environs for bush camping.
The company of like minded and similarly outfitted neighbours.
Access to potable water supplies, and waste disposal points
New products such as luxury self-contained safari tents have spawned the term
“glamping” (luxury camping) and improved facilities, including en-suites on caravan
A Strategic Approach to Caravan and Camping Tourism in Western Australia Page 49