Plans for a free overnight campsite in central Maitland have met widespread support and are not expected to detract from commercial operations.
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The issue ignited enthusiasm on the Mercury website yesterday when Cr Steve Procter revealed the city could open the campsite this year.
The city’s two caravan parks offered limited vacancies and the proponents of two more commercial facilities felt the free campsite would encourage tourism.
Maitland Showground has recently upgraded its camping facilities with power and water, but few travellers know about the cost-effective option.
“We’re very much in favour of council presenting Maitland as an RV [recreational vehicle] friendly city and we feel part of that,” Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Association treasurer David Perrott said.
“We see it as a revenue stream and any money we get helps maintain and improve the facilities.”
The association charges $22 a night for one of its 32 powered sites or $110 a week.
“A lot of places are charging that sort of money [$22] per person,” Mr Perrott said.
“It’s an area that we really haven’t pushed and we want to make it known that camping is available here.”
Bob Parsons has had discussions with council to open a tourist park at Mount Dee near Telarah.
“The competition is not an issue and council is not trying to do me out of business,” he said.
“Anything that brings people to town and gives them options is helpful.”
Mr Parson’s park would cater for people who wished to stay longer than the 72-hours maximum proposed for the free campsite and would offer full amenities and recreational facilities.
“It’s been a long and frustrating process, but I’m hopeful we will move forward in the near future,” Mr Parsons said.
“We’re aiming at joining one of the top two tourist park associations which set high standards and we will have to comply with those requirements.”
