Glenelg Shire Council has awarded new management to the Island Park Caravan Park at Casterton, but it will still be status quo for the 27-site facility.
Council has signed a two-year agreement with the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) to take on management of the Caravan Park at the Island Park Recreation Reserve.
Under the new agreement CMCA will provide an on-site caretaker and handle all bookings, marketing and promotion and day-to-day operations.
CMCA manages 14 caravan parks and RV parks right across Australia, however Casterton will be their first ever park in Victoria, marking an exciting chapter for the club and a rare opportunity for the township.
“We are excited to be able to support Glenelg Shire Council through the management of the caravan park. Our members have been calling out for many years to have a presence in Victoria and we are hoping that this first step leads to more in the state,” CMCA chief executive Richard Barwick said.
CMCA utilises volunteer members to act as park custodians, providing a vital service to guests.
They are there to take bookings, site guests, enforce park rules, coordinate maintenance activities, and provide local tourist and business information, which value adds to their stay.
“We look forward to a strong partnership with council and the local community” Mr Barwick added.
Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens said it was a great outcome to secure an operator with a successful management history and an even stronger membership base.
“Council is delighted with this agreement which will offer untapped tourism opportunities for Casterton and the wider region as a whole,” she said.
“The CMCA is the largest RV club in Australian and boasts more than 60,000 highly engaged members, which is a huge marketing advantage. This will create unprecedented exposure for Casterton and our Shire’s unique tourism offerings, with our caravan park promoted straight to those looking for their next getaway.
“Previous efforts to find a local operator had been unsuccessful, however with CMCA on board it is a win for all.
“In terms of day-to-day nothing will change for the Island Park Caravan Park – there will be a local caretaker on site, facilities will remain in place, and we will continue to welcome new and return visitors to Casterton.”
The CMCA officially commenced management in December.
Bookings for the Casterton Caravan Park can be made at the park on arrival, through the CMCA website, CMCA app or by calling CMCA office on (02) 4978 8788.