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Rebuilding fences with farmers in rural Australia after the 2012 floods.

6 March 2012                         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 RVMAA 1204

Aussie RV industry keeps on growing

Australia’s caravan and RV manufacturing industry has continued its surging growth, with production for 2011 substantially up on the previous year’s record output.

After exceeding 21,000 last year for the first time in decades, production in 2011 soared past 22,000.

Figures from the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia (RVMAA) showed total production of 22,083 caravans and RVs for the year.

Production for 2011 was 3.5 per cent up on 2010, which itself had been a massive 32 per cent up on the previous year.

RVMAA CEO David Duncan said the industry’s continuing strong growth reflected an underlying demand for the relaxing, economical and sociable holidays that RVs made possible.

“Our industry’s output has more than quadrupled in the past 17 years as Australians have rediscovered the joys of caravan and RV holidays,” he said.

“Much of this can be attributed to the luxurious appointments available in today’s locally-made RVs, which offer great home comforts in mainstream models that real people can afford.

“For Baby Boomers especially, who grew up with the caravans of the 1960s and ‘70s, today’s equipment levels are truly a revelation.”

Traditional caravans continued to dominate production, with 47 per cent of the total, followed by pop-tops at 25 per cent and camper trailers at 20 per cent, with motorised units accounting for the remaining 8 per cent.

Mr Duncan said Australia’s RV and caravan industry offered everything from budget-priced tent trailers to super-luxury motorhomes, all built to suit Australia’s unique conditions.

“The people buying RVs are as diverse as the RVs themselves, from young families seeking economical holiday fun to retirees wanting a real home away from home,” he said.

“In uncertain economic times, many people are finding an RV or caravan to be a sound investment in a lifetime of holidays wherever the road and their imagination may take them.”

 ... ends

More information:   David Duncan    0417 820 868  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Media inquiries & images:   Greg Shoemark   0412 316 928  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

As of January 2012  Oz Parks will withdraw the member discount offer to all  RV club members, excluding the Australian Caravan Club (ACC).

The present discount arrangement with the ACC and its members will remain in place into the foreseeable future.


 

Government
Media
Statement

December 8, 2011

Bryan Green
Deputy Premier
Minister for Local Government

Scott Bacon
Minister for Tourism

Government Supports Low-Cost Camping Options

The Deputy Premier Bryan Green said today the Government wants low-cost camping options maintained for recreational vehicles and caravaners touring around Tasmania.

Mr Green said a review of council-managed camping services would not mean the end of low cost services and force people into caravan parks.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding that there will be no low cost options following the review,” Mr Green said.

Mr Green said the review was undertaken following recommendations by Tasmania’s Economic Regulator and at the request of local councils.

“The Government is working with local councils to achieve the lowest possible prices

“The feedback from councils is that they are keen to keep prices as low as possible from around $5 per night.

“The Government is not supportive of a process that will jeopardise low cost camping services for people travelling in self-contained vehicles.

Mr Green said the review only covered local government-owned services to make sure they charge appropriate prices to recovers costs.

“Currently, toilet, water and other facilities are being provided at the expense of ratepayers.

“This is not fair on tax-payers or local businesses.

“This review will make sure that where those services are in competition with a private caravan park that they compete on a level playing field.

“Many of the council services are basic which means the cost of these services will be lower. 

“I am committed to helping local councils strike the right balance between attracting visitors and supporting local investment in private tourist facilities,” Mr Green said.

The Minister for Tourism Scott Bacon reiterated that recreational vehicles users and caravaners were important to Tasmania’s tourist industry.

‘I don’t want to see people in Tasmania, across Australia and from overseas missing out on experiencing the many different travelling experiences our State has to offer because of misinformation about the range of options still available.

“Tasmanian is very competitively priced in comparison to the mainland and the Government is committed to ensuring we retain our competitive advantage,” Mr Bacon said. 

The public consultation phase of the review has been completed and the Government will now consider its recommendations.

Contact: Matthew Sullivan 0407 816 462
http://www.tas.gov.au

Our chairman, Tom Smith, presenting a plaque to the Mayor of Gwydir Shire Council. John Coulton, at the council meeting on the 8th December.  The plaque was to commemorate the 2011 National Muster and to recognise the large contribution the Shire and the local business community made to the great success of the muster.