Winchelsea to be RV Friendly Town Year-Round

Surf Coast Shire Council has resolved that Winchelsea becomes an RV Friendly Town year-round starting August 2017.

Council determined at its May meeting to welcome short-term stays for self-contained RVs, caravans or motorhomes for a maximum of 48 hours in a section of the Barwon River Reserve, between Mercer Street and the Railway Bridge in Winchelsea.

The decision comes following an encouraging 12 month RV Friendly trial which was reported to Council at the April meeting.

In a report to the May Council meeting, Council officers compared the operational and financial requirements for Winchelsea to be an RV Friendly Town on a year-round or a seasonal basis.

Winchelsea Ward Councillor Carol McGregor supported the site operating on a year-round basis.

“If it was only open for a five-month period, our unpredictable weather could see this timeframe reduced,” she said.

“To have the site available all-year round is a small increase in investment that will benefit the community.”

The establishment and operation of the Winchelsea RV area will cost $19,470 for year-round use in 2017-18. It is estimated it will provide an annual economic benefit of $24,700 to the Winchelsea community.

A monitoring group was established during the 12-month RV Friendly trial, which ended 31 March 2017. The group was made up of Cr McGregor and fellow Winchelsea Ward Councillor Heather Wellington, a Growing Winchelsea representative, a business representative and two community representatives.

Cr McGregor said the group explored whether the trial would attract more visitors to Winchelsea, strengthen its status as a welcoming town, and respect the amenity of the area.

“The monitoring group found that while the RV Friendly area did not attract significantly more people to the area, it had a huge positive impact on the perception of Winchelsea as a friendly place to visit”,” Cr McGregor said.

“It’s great to see people support this initiative which highlights Winchelsea’s natural beauty to visitors.”

It is estimated that about 185 self-contained RVs and caravans used the site during the trial period, generating an economic return of $17,760.

“This was on the modest side, with a contributing factor being the site was closed for five months due to flooding,” said Cr Wellington, who was excited to see the site continue to be used.

“We’ve found it’s a much-loved site.

“People come in and drive down to the river, buy a few things from the shops and have a chat with locals.

“It’s becoming part of Winchelsea’s town identity.”

Both councillors expressed their gratitude to the community members who generously gave up their time to be involved in the monitoring group.