|
Open Letter x
Chris Wilson Secretary,
Highway Wanderers to
Highway Wanderer members
Chapter Secretaries
Board members
John Osborne - Head Office
The last couple of year’s motorhoming around this great country has been very
enjoyable. Since the Bingara rally we have been pretty much full time on the road attending the
Whyalla, Rockhampton an Carrick National rallies interspersed with Chapter gatherings and the
Dam Fine and Christmas in July rallies. About the middle of May both last year and this year we
started moving North joining the convoy of RV vehicles driven by people seeking warmer
weather.
As usual there were many great happy hours with conversation covering many
topics. One topic that seemed to come to the top of the pile at almost every HH was the
increasing difficulty associated with so called “Freedom camping”. A number of other issues were regularly discussed
and as a result I was asked by a large number of our Chapter (Highway Wanderers) to put together
a letter which covers some of their concerns and positive ideas. We plan to send this letter to
other CMCA Chapters, CMCA Board members and Head Office.
I think that most members would acknowledge the enormous amount of
work that has been put in by a large number of CMCA members who have volunteered
their time and resources to initiating and implementing schemes
and benefits for all CMCA members. The Board members in particular put in a lot of time and
effort without remuneration and often at a cost to their own pockets. Hopefully the content of this letter will not be seen as
“Board bashing”. It is simply meant to reflect what many of our members and lot’s of other
Chapter members on the road are feeling.
Let me say at the outset that none of the issues raised are new and in fact the
battles between the various groups have been going on for years. I have chosen to try and summarise people’s concerns
under a topic heading and document their thoughts together with their positive ideas on
resolving the problems.
RV Friendly Towns:
A really great initiative by CMCA but one which too many people has gone off the
rails for a variety of reasons.
(1)
The RVFT , RVFL and RVFD
schemes have benefited ALL
people on the road looking for
free or low cost rest areas. Whilst this is a good thing it has meant that everyone, including all
the hire vehicles, know exactly where to stop. It can’t be called a CMCA member specific benefit.
(2)
The ongoing participation of
a place that has accreditation should be monitored in respect of their ability to police and
maintain facilities that are on offer.
(3)
The criteria for selection as
RVFT needs to be reviewed. Major medical services for example is NOT high on the priority list for
many members. Generally the feeling is that if your health is not good you
probably won’t stray far from reasonable health services.
(4)
Often the short term parking
areas are limited and/or not suited for bigger RV’s.
(5)
Longer term parking is
sometimes not available or if so is a Caravan Park offering a product that we don’t want or the
rest area is a substantial distance from the town.
(6)
Signage in
many places is inadequate,
confusing and
misleading.
(7)
If you map the RVF places it
becomes obvious that the majority are inland. Once again this is fine if that’s where you are
travel ling but apart from Tasmania the coastal routes offer very little to CMCA members seeking
short to long term rest areas at low or no cost.
(8)
Enforcement of the local
rules by the relevant authorities is critical. If the rest area is limited to a time period i.e. 48
or 72 hours then travelers have to realise that it will be enforced.
Dump Points:
Once again a really great initiative by CMCA. A lot of hard work by many people
has resulted in a substantial increase in the number and quality of dump points. The only
criticism is that many Dump Points are poorly designed and sited so as to exclude use by larger
RV’s. There are also some areas that seem to have DP’s on every corner but in other areas public
DP’s are hard to find.
Signage:
Signage is an issue that no one seems to have taken up with Federal, State or
Local Governments. As
citizens we are entitled to be made aware of exactly what the lawmakers and bureaucrats mean
when they put up a sign. Inadequate, confusing and misleading signage is one of the major
contributors to problems caused by travellers. We all know that there are some people who will
always believe that rules and signs apply to everyone else except
them. Unfortunately
that sort of person will continue to cause problems for all of the other honest law abiding
citizens. Having said that what is meant by a sign indicating
(1)
No
camping – does that mean no parking, does
it mean in front of the sign or behind the sign, under whose authority, does it mean setting
up your tent. What about sleeping in my RV overnight. Is that different from sleeping in my
normal car.
(2)
Parking - normal street
parking will more often than not indicate some time periods or time limits but others just indicate
parking. Is it only daylight hours or can it be overnight.
There are numerous examples of signage which in a Court of Law could be
challenged and shown to be totally useless. If we are to be expected to comply with rules and
regulations then we have a right to demand clear and precise signage.
Free camping:
The term free camping should be removed from our vocabulary on the basis that
there is no such thing. Free should be replaced by “low cost” or “no cost” to the user and
camping should be replaced by “rest area” or “stop over”.
Existing Caravan Parks:
Where do you start with this issue? Probably the best way to describe the
problem is that the vast majority of CP’s offer a product that most CMCA members and RV
travellers don’t want. Many
of the CMCA members that I have spoken to are quite happy to stay at a CP if they offered a
product that doesn’t include the entire Bell’s n Whistle’s at a
reasonable price. With more and more RV’s being “self contained” (see below) the occupants don’t
want ablution blocks, camp kitchens, playgrounds, internet lounges and other facilities that CP
owners THINK we need. When will CP owners accept that the world has
changed and not many of us still have an EH Holden with a 14ft caravan on the back which has to
be reversed in to the 10x10 square and then unhitched so that the car can be parked beside.
Minimal research into trends relating to RV configurations and size would discover that RV’s are
bigger and longer, many have slide outs and are self contained. How many CP’s have adapted to
these trends? Drive through
sites are hard to find, access to some parks is impossible for some RV’s, why should we have to
disconnect simply to fit on a site, why should we be compacted into their parks in some cases
with awnings touching awnings. By my calculations a 10 x 10 square is the same amount of area as
a 5 x 20 drive through but it seems that many CP’s are not interested in redesigning their
parks. We hear them whinging about how much they have spent on their CP’s in order to provide
infrastructure and facilities to a market which increasingly doesn’t want it but they expect and
demand that we use and pay for it. On the other hand they don’t seem to be concerned about their
local motels and hotels when they replace good RV sites with S/C cabins.There are many CP
park owners who have adapted to the needs and wants of self contained RV’ers by offering a no
frills area at low cost. Unfortunately most of the CP’s offering a reasonably priced
product are off the beaten track whereas the CP’s on the major tourist routes
generally expect you to stay and pay for something that most of us don’t want. If Caravan Parks
want patronage they should offer a “no frills” area to Self Contained RV’s and if they cannot then other facilities such as
Showgrounds, if available, should be opened up for that use. A single national self containment scheme which requires
vehicles to be inspected is the only way to establish a basis for accommodating
RV’s.
Self Containment Scheme:
It seems that most of the organisations representing people travelling in RV’s
agree that it should be possible for RV’s that meet a minimum level of self containment to be
offered areas for resting and/or stopping whilst those that do not meet a minimum standard would
need to find areas that cater for their requirements. What is also apparent is that those same
organisations seem to all have different ideas as to what Self Containment means. A National
scheme which satisfies the various Government agencies and local Authorities and applies to RV’s
across the board should be in place and vehicle inspection to receive certification should be
compulsory. As I understand it there is legislation in New Zealand which clearly sets out
the SC requirements. I believe that many RVer’s who have spent money on their vehicles in order
to be fully self contained would not object to a fee being charged for proper SC certification,
provided that ensured that they could stop in areas from which someone without certification was
excluded. A single
national self containment scheme which requires vehicles to be inspected is the only way to
establish a basis for accommodating
RV’s.
POP’s:
The concept of POP’s (I think it means Park on Property) is not new and appears
to be working well in New Zealand. Development of POP’s by CMCA in
Australia seems to be minimal with apparently a couple of prospective sites under investigation.
With the resources available and number of members of CMCA I believe that it is reasonable to
ask why we haven’t already got POP’s in every State. Clearly there are problems with bureaucracy
at all levels of Government and Insurance is also likely to be an issue but obstacles are there
to be overcome. If CMCA is being proactive and addressing the problems aggressively then they
have not communicated that in any sort of detail to the members.
CMCA Parks:
This is another concept that appears to work well in New Zealand and the
UK. Small sites owned or
leased by the club specifically for use by club members travelling in Certified self contained
vehicles has to be vigorously pursued. The feedback that I have had is that some members of the
board and head office think that it is all too difficult and just wouldn’t work in a country as
large as Australia. It would be nice to just
have one to start with. A
site does not have to be large, it doesn’t necessarily need to provide any services if the
occupants are truly self contained, it doesn’t need to be open all year, there are potentially
many CMCA members who would be prepared to act as “caretakers” during the main touring season,
rules in respect of stay time, pets and other issues can be implemented. Once again why are we
lagging so far behind what is happening in some other countries. Say again that if CMCA is being proactive and
addressing the concept of CMCA parks aggressively then they have not communicated that in any
sort of detail to the members.
I have been told there are many issues relating to tax and differing State and
local Government rules. If this is true and I’m sure it is then why not tell the members exactly
what the issues are. Bad news is better than
NO NEWS.
There are many things that CMCA could orchestrate so that members could let the
bureaucrats, politicians and councillors know how we feel. Members should be
encouraged to inundate politicians and councillors with letters and emails. Maybe a 1000 or so
motorhomes converging on one of the RV Unfriendly towns and parking outside the Shire Office
would get some attention. Maybe the RV unfriendly towns can be nominated so that we know where
to avoid.
CMCA Member Benefits:
The Board and Head Office through the Wanderer magazine continue to tout the
Benefits associated with being a member of CMCA. They normally take up a full page towards the back
of the magazine. Of the member benefits listed in the August Wanderer 14 are product providers
who offer a discount to CMCA members. Although they are appreciated most of these sorts of
discounts are available through various other organisations or associations such as State
motoring clubs and Health Insurance companies. I am not sure how many motorhomers have taken up
the 20% discount (Terms and Conditions apply) when they rent a motorhome from KEA Campers and my
experience with the Spirit of Tasmania 30% discount offer didn’t seem to apply when we travelled
back and forth to the Tassy rally. In my view there are only 6 CMCA member specific
benefits. All of the others
can be sourced elsewhere or are nominated to make the list longer.
(1)
Insurance
- A great product from a service
oriented company but not the only game in town.
(2)
Rallies – are great for
members to get together and I think they can be legitimately called a CMCA specific member benefit.
(3)
The Wanderer – Good magazine
which I look forward to receiving but with one page of standard commentary from the Board and half
a page from the CEO there is not a lot of information about what is really going on in the club.
Good resource for Chapter happenings and related information. Can be legitimately called a CMCA specific member benefit.
(4)
GeoWiki - Great innovation
and can be legitimately called a CMCA specific
member benefit.
(5)
Leave No Trace Scheme – Great
concept but in its current form a “toothless tiger”. Not worth joining until practical, enforceable
rules are established which require inspection.
(6)
CMCA Friendly Parks –
Appreciated but discount schemes abound.
(7)
Fellowship Directory – Nice
thought but that happens anyway.
(8)
Chapters – Yes it’s great
to be a part of a network of likeminded people. Can be legitimately called a CMCA specific member
benefit.
(9)
Special Interest Groups –
good for those members who want to join a SIG
(10) Website – Any organisation with 50,000 plus members in this
day and age has a website so the CMCA website is not unique. It can be legitimately called a CMCA specific member
benefit.
(11) The Wanderers Mate – Great guide which can be legitimately called a CMCA specific member
benefit.
So what are the unique and specific benefits of being a CMCA member and what do
members think should be pursued. POP’s would be a good start with CMCA member only
parks also top of the list. I know it has been tried in the past but what about a CMCA member
fuel discount scheme.
I know that it is easy to sit back and criticise and maybe these issues are
being pursued vigorously but if they are then I am not sure that anyone other than the Board and
Head Office know about it. The recent QLD Government enquiry received submissions from a whole
range of people and organisations, one of which was CMCA. Maybe I didn’t look hard enough in the
Wanderer or on the Website but I couldn’t find any reference to the 80 page submission by CMCA.
Eventually I found it on the Govt website along with all the other submissions. It seemed like a
very thorough and professional document but it would be interesting to know how many members
looked at it or even knew it had been submitted. What else is happening that we don’t know about
? If you look at the contact details for the Chapters there are only 12 that don’t list an email
address. As secretary of the HW chapter I have received a total of 5 emails from Head Office in
the last 18 months or so and maybe 2 from members of the Board. It seems to me that a fantastic opportunity to
communicate with members via email is being totally ignored. Communicating with members at the
moment is done through the Wanderer magazine and the CMCA website. The website is at least
current unlike the Wanderer where any news is, at time of receipt, often out of date. Not
everyone is conversant with finding their way around websites and the Wanderer generally
allocates one whole page out of 145 to information from the Board. The report from the CEO is
usually one half page. Both
contributions to the magazine often include the same message, generally include some chest
thumping and rarely include specific details of activities underway to obtain real member
benefits.
I have to state that I am not enjoying writing this document because I don’t
want to be seen as a stirrer but I believe the CMCA is a great club and much of the talk “on the
road” amongst members indicates a lot of frustration. We all know that the Board is made up of
Motorhomers just like the rest of us and they put in a lot of time and effort for no
remuneration and very few “pats on the back”.Having said that we do have a Head Office with
salaried employees and I sometimes think that they should be getting down amongst the members at
Happy Hours to get a real feel for member’s concerns. Port Macquarie would seem to be a handy
rally venue for Head Office people to attend some grass roots Chapter Happy Hours and speak to
the people.
|
