Business and Tourism Bites

RBCT Round Up

Rainbow Beach Commerce and Tourism welcomed new members at the meeting held at Brent’s Burgers last month. Join as a member and attend the next meeting on May 13. Here are a few of the items discussed:

Lights at the Pine Trees – to be improved or replaced (near the Lookout)

Traffic Group – with local police and ambulance – they are investigating decreasing speed limits in town to 20km, and 40 km from the IGA to town (which is why you may have seen the traffic counters around), access at the Ambulance Station with parked cars obscuring exits, a possible camera at the ramp to the beach

Teewah and Cooloola Working Group

• VIN identification at Teewah, Freshwater and Rainbow Beach may also be introduced in the future
• police will have a certified speed camera – a first for beaches
• drug enforcement and RBT every long weekend holiday period
• RBCT discussed how permit funds could be quarantined for the park they are purchased for – Cooloola Section and Fraser Island

Power Outages and Mobile Coverage

• There was stock loss, members noted it was not only about the outage – but the length of time involved in restoring power to town

Gympie Road Assessment where eight places were recommended to Council for stopping bays/turn outs (see page 18)

Events to town – were considerable for 2019 (Bull and Bronc, HotRod and Rockabilly Rumble, concerts, and include the IRB Ocean Roar on June 1-2) RBCT congratulate businesses and clubs bringing these events, and are willing to assist/volunteer where possible to support

Draft RV Strategy Non self-contained campervans are not targeted in this strategy. RBCT response was endorsed, and there was representation at the consultation in Gympie:

Five existing sites on council-controlled sites for RV travellers with five planned sites (including the Gympie Showgrounds and procurement of a million plus grant for the Rattler Precinct RV Park)

• We applaud introduction of camping to a variety of sites.However – rather than spending large grants for the betterment on one site, we would stress the importance for distribution of sites (and facilities and funds) across the region – so that every tiny town benefits from RV travellers dollars

No potential sites were suggested for the Cooloola Coast, an overflow area and policy were suggested for the Cooloola Coast in peak times when commercial sites were fully booked.

• Cooloola Coast does not just need overflow – instead a flow of tourists YEAR ROUND, especially when tourism traffic is traditionally quiet! This is something that RV travellers can provide if they have access to sites close to town, level, attractive, and near attractions. Every other business owner on the coast does not need to wait until caravan parks are full before we encourage RV travellers with a different option
• Budget or free with donation RV parks should be offered year round

Potential RV parking sites discussed in our meeting were:

• Norman Park, Tin Can Bay – in the big extended car park, from the boat ramp (Council were asked to talk to the community of Tin Can Bay for more ideas, closer to town)

• At the weather station/SES shed, Rainbow Beach

No sites were listed for day use parking for RV vehicles on the Cooloola Coast.

• Trailer bays exist in Tin Can Bay, Norman Point near the boat ramp, Cooloola Cove Shopping Centre, at the Surf Club carpark, and carparks between the centre block and the Rainbow Beach Holiday Village, Rainbow Beach are all suitable
• Recommended that Council add signage at these sites to clearly invite parking for caravans and RVs, add signage on entry to town to let people know where it is, add to promotional material/websites

If our towns can gain CMCA RV Friendly Town Status, it will direct national coverage to the region – we want every single community in the Gympie Region to be on the RV travellers’ list!

Members also attended:

• Tourism Strategy
• Gympie Futures Business Breakfast