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The Association is recognized at all levels of government as the Industry voice and is an active member of Government committees. It maintains close contact with the Department of Local Government, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Department of Planning, the Department of Land & Water Conservation and Tourism New South Wales, to advance the Industry and to protect the interests of the members. It is an active member of the Residential Tenancies Review Committee.
The Association has played a major role in a number of government working parties and committees charged with the development of Ordinance 71, the supply of electricity, water, sewerage, Local Government rates and charges and signposting of caravan parks.
The Association achieved recognition of permanent residents in caravan parks and had the decision reversed that required parks to be re-wired before they gained access to domestic rates for electricity. Major achievements include the correction of a major anomaly in the State Environmental Policy for Caravan Parks, the continuation of visitors fees where the dwelling does not have bathroom facilities. We have also established Industry positions in the reviews of the draft Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds & Moveable Dwellings Regulation 1998, the Manufactured Home Estates & Manufactured Home Regulation and the Residential Tenancies (Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 1995, and the Residential Tenancies Act.
The Association also plays a major role in the tourism arena. It is represented on the Executive Committee of the Tourism Council (NSW Chapter), the National Associations Council, and the Tourism Olympic Forum. In conjunction with the NRMA, the Association and the members have had a major input in the development of the AAA Star Rating Scheme.
Activities and Events
Conference
The three day annual Conference is held in Spring each year. The Conference draws speakers of the highest quality from the Government and professional sectors. It is a strenuous training activity of hands-on workshops and general sections. Annual conferences are held sequentially in a region, in Sydney and overseas. This regime has been established to enhance the training and learning opportunities.
The regional conference gives members from all over the State an opportunity to examine peer operations in addition to normal conference activities. The Sydney conference provides the venue for extensive political and public service involvement. Overseas conferences are held at prestigious village style tourist destinations to give members the opportunity to learn from those operations and see the methods employed in the very competitive overseas tourist and manufactured homes markets.
Traditionally even leisure time at the conference is work related, with members mingling during breaks and after hours to discuss the issues and their experiences.
Seminars
Adhoc seminars are conducted for members as the need arises. In the past these have included : The Media - practical experience of a television interview and handling investigative journalism, The Enterprise Agreement Process - establishing an enterprise agreement, and The Tribunal Process - preparing for a Tribunal hearing.
More recently we have held Seminars on How to Complete An Award Winning Submission - getting more publicity by entering and winning awards and OHS Workshops - educating members on the new OHS legislation.
Services
The Review
The Review, which is mailed to members bi monthly is a publication that has grown from a mere newsletter to an informative eight to twelve page publication. It focuses on changes to government legislation and policies as well as Industry highlights. It aims at keeping members appraised of developments that may affect their operations.
Commercial Member Services
The Association will be offering members a range of group buying discount opportunities for commodities and services such as, gas, telephones, power, motor vehicles, banking services, insurance, cleaning and pool chemicals, etc. A very attractive gas deal and telephone deal are currently being taken up by members.
Residential Tenancy Agreements
The Association publishes a special Residential Tenancy Agreement for members. This is supplemented by an explanatory brochure to explain and simplify procedures, as well as being supported by the Association's Legal Counsel, Mr Bob Browne.
Hire Agreements
The Association's book of Hire Agreements is available to members involved in the hiring of touring vehicles.
Advisory Services
If you have a problem the Association is just a phone call away. Trained staff will provide answers to your queries concerning the Local Government, Caravan Park Regulations, Manufactured Home Estates Regulations, the Residential Tenancies Act, the Regulations and the Code of Practice. If we do not know the answer to your query we will obtain other specialist advice for you.
Employment Register
The Association maintains a register of persons seeking employment as managers within the Industry and can supply members who wish to obtain staff with copies of relevant CVs and references.
Industrial Relations
The Association is an Industrial organisation of Employers registered under the NSW Industrial Relations Act 1991. It is also affiliated with the Motor Trades Association and this allows members access to the MTA telephone advisory service for a small additional annual fee.
Promotions and Publications
Caravan Camping 4WD & Holiday Supershow
The Caravan Camping 4WD & Holiday Supershow is now recognised as Australia's premier caravan show. This nine day event, held in Sydney at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse following Easter, has increased in size, in exhibitors and in crowd attendance each year. It showcases parks as tourist destinations, the latest in touring and camping products and manufactured homes as an alternative lifestyle. Spectacular displays include regional and state tourism, and the extremely popular 4WD demonstration track. Committed consumers flock to this Show to see the best our Industry has to offer.
NSW Caravan & Camping Directory
The Annual Caravan & Camping Directory, a full colour magazine of 148 pages, is fast becoming the touring guide for New South Wales. Containing 27 regional maps which show the geographical location of members' operations, the Directory also details the facilities and services provided by each member.
Extensive television and press promotion of the Directory has generated an enormous demand for it. It is also distributed at interstate caravan shows, BP Express outlets, member outlets, regional tourism offices and other appropriate venues.
Guide to Manufactured Home Estates & Villages in NSW
Caters to a different clientele and is promoted in those venues and publications that attract people seeking lifestyle accommodation. It promotes members who manufacture or market homes, who operate manufactured home communities, or who provide the services associated with those communities. It is the only publication that specifically promotes this new and exciting way of living and is very much in demand.
The Media
Two major television campaigns promote the Industry during the year. One in prime time on the Sydney and Newcastle commercial stations highlights the Industry and the Show, while the other Sydney Weekender, a lifestyle program on Channel 7, promotes caravan park holidays and caravan and camping products.
Caravan parks and products are also promoted during the year in the travel section of the major Sydney newspapers. The lifestyle is also promoted in suburban newspapers, and publications catering for senior citizens and other special interest groups.
Association's Industry Awards of Excellence
The Association recognizes and promotes excellence within the Industry through a highly prestigious annual Awards program. The Awards encourage excellence within our Industry and winners and finalists receive the recognition they richly deserve.
Tourism Awards Sponsorship
In 1995 caravan parks were recognised in their own right in the New South Wales Tourism Awards for Excellence and in the National Tourism Awards. Prior to 1995 caravan parks were not recognised and had to enter inappropriate areas such as the "Budget Accommodation" class.
The Gold Sponsorship of the Caravan Park Class by the Association not only recognises the leading role of caravan parks in tourism, but also ensures the Association achieves due prominence as a major sponsor. |