Up to a third of “grey nomads” will bypass Mudgee as a result of limits on camping and higher fees at the Mudgee Showground, according to campers at the Gulgong Showground on the weekend.
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The Mudgee Showground camping restrictions were a hot topic at the Gulgong Showgrounds, where around 35 van owners were spending the weekend.
Members of the Prospect Caravan Club said higher fees and uncertainty about whether camping would be allowed at the showground at a specific time meant many travellers would avoid Mudgee - and take their spending money elsewhere.
Club president Des Heuston said many caravanners preferred a “rustic but clean” showground such as Gulgong to commercial parks.
“The majority of caravanners and campers don’t really need the heated pool and the jumping castles,” he said. “All we require is a clean area and a reasonable site.
“Because caravans are getting bigger, tourist parks are getting very tight for some vans.”
Mr Heuston said caravanners planned their trips well in advance and budgeted carefully.
Confirming all tourist parks were full before booking into the showground would simply put Mudgee in the “too hard basket,” he said.
Campers said news of council’s decision would spread through word of mouth and via caravanners’ websites.
“As soon as word gets out that Mudgee prices are now expensive and it’s extremely difficult to get in [to the showground] and you must go to a caravan park, why would you bother?” Mr Heuston said.
“Under those circumstances, people will bypass the whole area.”
Mr Heuston said Mudgee businesses would suffer as a result of the decision.
A recent Caravan and Motorhome Association survey showed caravanners spend an average of $665 per van per week in the towns where they stay, he said.
“There are about 35 vans in the Gulgong Showground and we’re all buying jams and cakes, we’ve all been to the IGA [Franklins].
“If we all spent $100 - and I can assure you my wife has spent more - that’s $3500 we’ll leave in the town.”
Mr Heuston said on a recent trip involving around 15 vans, members kept receipts and found the group spent more than $5000 in total.
“That’s all spending money that Mudgee is going to lose.”
Camper Peter Zaia of Toongabbie pointed out events which attracted caravanners, such as the Small Farm Field Days or wineries, were also available in other areas.
“People will fuel up out of town and go straight past Mudgee,” he said.
“”Why would you go and stay there? The side of the road looks pretty good, doesn’t it?”
