Following a successful 12 month trial, Greater Shepparton City Council will continue to offer the free Recreational Vehicle (RV) Rest Stop in Tatura at the Douglas Street car park.
The decision was adopted at Tuesday's Ordinary Council Meeting following the successful 12 month trial which saw Council allocate space for three fully self-contained RV's to stay in Tatura for up to 48 hours.
Data collected via CCTV surveillance showed the site was utilised a total of 70 nights during the trial, with surveys revealing the average spend in the town per stay was close to $200 per vehicle. Following analysis, the trial was evaluated as successful and Council approved to continue the Douglas Street RV Rest Stop, with a review to occur in three years' time.
Mayor, Cr Kim O'Keeffe said given the significant growth experienced in the RV market, there was an increased demand for local towns to accommodate these travellers.
"Council are extremely pleased to be able to continue hosting RV's for free in Tatura for at least the next three years," she said.
"The Douglas Street location was identified for the trial because of its close proximity and access to Hogan Street, a short walk to amenities and many cafes and shops on offer, as well as the Tatura dump point located nearby at Tatura Park."
Coinciding with the trial, the Douglas Street car park was resurfaced, street lighting was upgraded and CCTV monitoring was installed. To enable this rest stop to continue to be utilised by RV's, Council will specify the area as a designated camping area and erect official signage at the site to regulate its use.
While infrastructure in Tatura includes three caravan parks with powered and non-powered sites available, there are limitations to the number of sites that can accommodate large fifth wheelers and RV's such as buses.
"Offering an RV friendly town shows the region is a destination that is welcoming and seeks to cater to this market's needs," Cr O'Keeffe said.
"By having a strategic and coordinated approach to managing RV's within Greater Shepparton, it will help us establish a positive reputation which potentially has the ability to increase returning visitor numbers and encourage new visitors to spend longer periods within the region."
Further consideration for free RV Rest Stops in other towns will be assessed on a case by case basis. Council will develop an RV strategy, in consultation with key stakeholders, as part of the next Economic Development Tourism and Major Events Strategy to accommodate future requests.
