Support building for more overnight camping sites

LOCAL grey nomads have thrown their support behind a council decision to consider a six-month trial of caravan short stays at Dalyston Recreation Reserve.

During council’s December meeting, Cr Bruce Kent put forward a motion calling on council officers to undertake a strategic review of the shire’s camping needs, to be presented mid-year.

As part of the motion, the Dalyston Football Ground Committee of Management had requested consideration be given to conduct a six-month trial of caravan short stays at the reserve.

Inverloch resident Mervyn Trott, who is a member of two RV clubs, was highly supportive of the trial at Dalyston and said the shire was severely lacking in RV-friendly sites.

“Both clubs meet once a month and we go to local community places such as halls, bowling clubs and community halls,” Mr Trott said.

“We go all around Gippsland, mainly Latrobe Valley, except Bass Coast.”

Mr Trott said many RV and caravan owners were either retired or semi-retired, and couldn’t afford to stay at caravan parks when only needing an overnight stop.

“We travel north every year for four to five months,” he said.

“We stay at caravan parks along the coast, but on the way if we’re just driving up, we don’t want to spend $40-plus a night, we just need to park the bus somewhere.”

Mr Trott said short stays are also incredibly beneficial for community groups and help bring tourism into small towns.

“People go shopping and they support the local areas,” he said.

“It gives the clubs more options and more venues, and most of these community facilities are struggling and need funds.”

According to a council report, the strategic review would include a stakeholder engagement program and need to consider economic benefits, supply and demand and preferred locations.