qdts-camping-options-toolkit

2.5 Regional permit system
Through the industry consultation, particularly in the
Outback of Queensland, an opportunity was identified
to create cross-regional partnerships in the form of a
bush camping pass. In areas such as the Outback, local
governments could combine resources to offer visitors
a single permit to camp in all allocated camping spots
(excluding national parks).
The concept of the permit or pass would be that the
visitor could pay an annual fee and download the permit
prior to departure or be sent a pack (as for the South
Australian desert parks pass—see concept testing).
This would allow travellers to display the permit while
travelling. Those without a permit could obtain one from
a visitor information centre or other designated venue
while travelling or access it online while travelling. Camp
hosts would still be required for more popular spots and
they would check permits. Alternatively, permits would
be checked when local government staff do regular
maintenance.
The decision to proceed would need to be made in
consultation with regional camping stakeholders.
The fees from the permits would need to be distributed
among participating local governments on an agreed
basis (e.g. by estimated visitor numbers from the visitor
information centre, by population or by camp sites). Based
on 5% of the current Outback visitor numbers, at $150 per
year, the region could generate an estimated $1.2 million in
the first year and $715 000 each year after that.
Concept testing: South Australian desert
parks
South Australia currently operates a desert parks pass
that grants the holder 12 months access to Witjira
National Park, Simpson Desert Conservation Park
and Regional Reserve, Innamincka Regional Reserve,
Coongie Lakes National Park, Lake Eyre National Park,
Wabma Kadarbu Mounds Springs Conservation Park
and Tallaringa Conservation Park, and includes camping
at all sites. While pay-as-you-go options are available
at most parks, the pass is mandatory for the Simpson
Desert and includes a guidebook featuring maps and
information for all featured parks.
The pass costs $150 in the first year, and can be
renewed for the following 3 years at $90 per year.
Table 7 Domestic overnight visitors to the Outback (000’s)
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Caravan park or commercial camping ground 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Caravan or camping near road or on private property 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Caravan park—staying in a caravan (and TRAVELLING WITH a caravan)
18 34 26 20 36 33 36
(2006 onwards)
Caravan park—staying in a caravan (but NOT TRAVELLING WITH a caravan) 2 0 0 8 12 3 3
(2006 onwards)
Caravan park—camping (2006 onwards) 13 14 22 15 13 32 18
Caravan—side of the road or private property (2006 onwards) 4 4 2 7 14 13 35
Camping—side of the road or private property (2006 onwards) 21 23 31 32 14 34 28
Camping—national park or crown land (2006 onwards) 10 23 13 15 8 5 23
Caravan park, staying in a self-drive van, motorhome or campervan
0 0 0 0 0 3 3
(and TRAVELLING WITH a self-drive van, motorhome or campervan)
Self-drive van, motorhome or campervan—side of the road
0 0 0 0 0 11 13
or private property
Total 76 98 94 97 97 134 159
Source: NVS data, TRA, year ended March, 2006–2012
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