THE PARKIE WIN25 - Magazine - Page 5
From your CEO
As winter sets in, many of you will already be contemplating the warmth of the next peak
season, while maintaining bookings and revenue to see you through these slower, colder
months. And one of the best ways to do that is to attend the 2025 CRPVic Conference.
Plans are well underway for this year’s
event, and the team is genuinely
excited about the new information
and
fabulous
speakers
coming
your way. You can read more about
the conference and some of our
confirmed speakers on Pages 14-15.
I cannot stress enough the value of
conference for tourist and residential
park owners, managers and staff. This
is your opportunity to benefit from
the only event designed specifically
for Victorian operators where you
will learn from industry leaders,
subject matter experts and fellow
operators who will share successes
and challenges both formally and
informally over two great days and
nights.
Delegates will also learn about niche
industry goods and services available
from some fabulous suppliers who are
almost as passionate as you are about
the industry. You might not need them
today but knowing who they are and
what they can do for you will prove
beneficial for when you do!
In recognition of the increasing
costs of doing business, we have
kept our prices the same as last year.
Remember, your ticket also includes
attendance at the YMH CRPVic Gala
Awards Dinner, where we recognise
those who set up this industry and
current member excellence.
It’s a highlight of our year and with
great entertainment and social
options before, during and after
dinner, this event alone should not be
missed.
The CRPVic Awards is where we
recognise member achievements.
Don’t be shy – nominate yourself,
a team member or contractor, or
a fellow park operator or industry
supplier who has done one or more
great things over the past year
We know there are great people out
there doing great things, so make
sure to let us know so they can get
the recognition they deserve. And
use that recognition in your business
marketing – everyone wants to stay
or live in a caravan park that has been
recognised for excellence.
Scott Parker
Earlier this month, I was proud to
launch our comprehensive policy
statement Accelerating Affordable
Housing – The Residential Land Lease
Solution – a seminal document in the
history of the association.
More importantly, this document
provides us with the strong foundation
we need to convince political
decision makers to incorporate our
recommendations for policy and
regulatory change to support future
investment by this sector in Victoria.
That advocacy will be maintained up
to and beyond the 2026 state election.
On the back of a successful association
visit to member caravan parks in the
Grampians following the summer
fires, former association CEO, now
CRPVic ambassador, Elizabeth White,
undertook another visit into member
heartland earlier this month – this time
to several tourist and mixed-use parks
in Gippsland.
The association has now benefited
from the insight members were able
to provide Elizabeth, who reported
a mild softening of demand and
profitability in line with the data we
have received. We are pleased to hear
of the good level of engagement most
of these members have retained in
association activity, particularly our
regular communications.
We have been pleased to facilitate
access to cheaper electricity, mobile
and
other
telecommunications
services for a pilot group of park
members. Significant cost decreases
CARAVAN & RESIDENTIAL PARKS VICTORIA
WINTER 2025
were achieved in several cases, and
we are now making this service
available to all members. Please let the
office know if you want to access this
service.
On the other hand, your feedback on
our questions about current insurance
availability and costs produced a
mixed response. Tourist and mixeduse parks continue to report significant
premium increases, with one member
reporting an 80% increase in liability
premium. Around 60% of tourist
parks advised that premiums were
impacting their capacity to expand or
upgrade facilities.
It was, however, good to hear that
availability has improved with a
stronger risk management focus
evident across the membership.
The association has almost completed
a complete review of its constitution
with the likelihood of a new document
to be put to Victorian park members
and life members for approval at our
next AGM. The work has ensured
we are compliant with incorporated
association legislation. It’s not only
caravan parks that have to ensure
they’re always compliant!
Make sure you catch up on all our
association updates, including our
major advocacy win in our fight
against free camping in Parks Victoria
campgrounds in this edition of The
Parkie.
Enjoy the read.
Scott
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