Free parking no good, say owners | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast

"WHY doesn't council work with (caravan) parks?”

Tony Benson is confused and upset as to why the Fraser Coast Regional Council would consider free parking for grey nomads in the Maryborough CBD.

The head of the Caravan Parks Association Queensland met with councillor Gerard O'Connell in Maryborough yesterday to discuss the proposal by an RV owners group.

Also at the meeting were association members from Huntsville Caravan Park in Tinana, Wallace Motel and Caravan Park in Maryborough and Poona Palms Caravan Park.

Mr Benson says that if the free parking goes ahead “every type of RV known to man will turn up”.

And he doesn't think it will bring money into the region but will instead cost tax payers for toilets and amenities and rubbish collection.

“Why should the ratepayers of Maryborough be asked to subsidise the travel costs of a select community?

“We think it's ridiculous.”

Association members believe there are smarter ways to attract tourism such as providing an RV parking area during the day so travellers can do business instead of handing out a “freebie”.

Caravan park managers are also worried the plan would take business away from sites that are already struggling to survive.

“They're talking about taking the business of local businesses regulated by local government,” Mr Benson said.

But Mr O'Connell says his “overriding concern was not to jeopardise any business”.

“It's about getting new business into towns.

“Grey nomads are currently bypassing Maryborough.”

Mr O'Connell will continue to weigh up the costs and benefits of the plan.

“We will look at the dollar value of what a grey nomad is worth.”