Caravan parks worth millions to coastal centres, study finds

[Kit Kat]

COASTAL caravan parks in Warrnambool and Port Fairy generate at least $34 million in estimated economic benefits for the region, according to a landmark research project.

This income stream gave the parks an asset value of $280m, researchers calculated.

In addition, the holiday spots generated $1.1m in profits for local councils.

The study was undertaken by the Western Coastal Board and partners as one of 13 federally-funded projects to look at climate change adaptation and how caravan park users valued the parks and beaches.

Warrnambool Surfside Holiday and Shipwreck Bay parks, Port Fairy’s Gardens Caravan Park, Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve, Barwon Heads Caravan Park and Portarlington Holiday Park users were interviewed, as well as local residents.

Among the findings was that if camping opportunities were reduced because of climate change, users would stay at other places.

The Warrnambool parks generated $2m in direct revenue and had $1.3m direct operating costs, while the Port Fairy park had $1.2m revenue and $800,000 in direct costs.

Using a multiplier calculation, the study found Warrnambool’s coastal parks generated $20m a year from the 525,773 annual visitations and Port Fairy’s brought $14m from 26,147 visits.

But if costs of travel were added to the calculations, the figure would begin to double and in some cases quadruple, the report said.

Campers at Warrnambool spent an average $60.90 a day and 99 per cent locally, while at Port Fairy it was $58.70 and 91 per cent.

Source: the Standard. Read more here: http://www.standard.net.au/story/145571 ... nds/?cs=72