Council Minutes - Section 3: Notice of Motion - 27 July 2021
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Notice of Motion tabled at the Council meeting on 27 July 2021 which was held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre in City Hall, 57 Little Malop Street, Geelong.
In November 2013, Council passed a motion to promote Greater Geelong in partnership with the tourism industry as a destination that welcomes Recreation Vehicles (RV) to the city and highlights the facilities and experiences that encourages visitation and increased length of stay. Council also recognised the opportunity to better cater for the needs of RV users visiting the City of Greater Geelong by providing dedicated short term parking options and welcome information packs that gives details of overnight and long stay options in the 26 commercial parks located throughout the Municipality. The Council Report included an assessment of RV issues and opportunities and an RV Friendly Town Review (October 2013).
Since that time there has been short term parking options (three locations) reserved for caravans/RV motorhomes in Central Geelong and a welcome brochure produced by Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine highlighting the facilities and experiences available in the region.
There is a need to update the assessment from 2013 to consider the provision of low-cost camping in the north of Geelong including a publicly accessible dump point.
There are many towns right across Australia that are welcoming low-cost camping in their towns as they recognise the value in tourism revenue it is bringing.
Many travellers around Australia are self-contained, use little to no power and are self-sufficient in terms of amenities. It is felt that these travellers have and would bypass the north of Geelong if they didn’t have a low-cost option available.
Many of our commercial caravan parks are full in summer which is a great thing for private enterprise business. There is another market which I feel we are not engaging with.
According to the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) there are subsidies that can be obtained for the costs of a publicly accessible dump point to be located in Geelong. CMCA will provide the Dump Ezy unit and some signage at no cost to council.
Many residents and potential tourists have contacted me requesting that Geelong capture this market of low cost travellers to bring further tourism and trade to our small towns in the north of Geelong.
I feel that tourism in the north of Geelong has been left behind without this type of facility. The Bellarine, Surf Coast and Urban Geelong have established caravan parks which service the caravan holiday market. The northern parts of Geelong, like the You Yangs, Serendip, Anakie and Little River would benefit from low cost camping and a publicly accessible dump point.
There are many “pop up” sites in the north of Geelong due to events like the Airshow and Lara Food and Wine Festival. An updated assessment could consider a potential site for low cost camping and an operational model which may include management by the City and/or by volunteer organisations like Rotary or Lions Clubs. The updated assessment would also need to engage with all stakeholders including caravan, camping and RV associations, caravan park sector, local community and businesses and RV users/potential visitors to the region and consider the potential tourism dollars this could inject to the north of Geelong.
The Spirit of Tasmania coming to Geelong is welcomed but residents have concerns regarding overnight parking of cars, caravans and RV’s prior to loading onto the ship. An updated assessment should consider a low-cost caravan/RV site to service this market.
Councillor Grzybek moved, Councillor Aitken seconded:-
That Council:
Request the Chief Executive Officer to undertake an update to the 2013 assessment of Recreation Vehicle (RV) users issues and opportunities and the RV Friendly Town Review to be presented to Council by March 2022 with a specific focus on the north of Geelong which will consider:
recommendations to better service the needs of RV users including caravan/RV parking, low-cost camping and dump points with focus on specific sites for parking servicing the Spirit of Tasmania services;
an updated market assessment of the potential of the caravan/RV sector to consider the opportunities with the Spirit of Tasmania to better service this future market;
including a demand and supply analysis of RV, caravan and camping facilities to identify any market gaps not currently serviced by the caravan park sector or public amenities;
investigating the feasibility of a low-cost camping park to be established in the north of Geelong including a location for such park and options relating to an operational model;
an audit of publicly accessible dump points including potential sites and engagement with the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) to determine the criteria to apply for the subsidy for a dump point; and
engagement with all stakeholders relating to RV’s including caravan, camping and RV associations, caravan park sector, local community and businesses and RV users/potential visitors to the region.
Endorse an allocation of $30,000 in the 2021-22 budget to undertake the update to the 2013 assessment of Recreation Vehicle (RV) users issues and opportunities and the RV Friendly Town Review with a specific focus on the north of Geelong.
Request the Chief Executive Officer to engage with Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine to further promote Greater Geelong in partnership with the tourism industry as a destination that welcomes Recreation Vehicles (RV) and is RV friendly highlighting the facilities and experiences that encourages visitation and increased length of stay.
Carried.
The City of Greater Geelong has one of the largest animal populations of any Victorian municipality, and currently has over 45,000 registered dogs and cats.
The Geelong region is home to hundreds of walking tracks, parks and recreation reserves where people can take their dogs.
All public areas in our municipality have been designated as being 'on-leash' for the purposes of dogs, except where otherwise signed. There are a number of places where you can take your dog off-leash, if they are under direct supervision. Details are available on the City’s website – www.geelongaustalia.com.au/pets.
The City has dedicated dog parks where owners can exercise and socialise their dogs off lead. They are located in Corio and Belmont. Further dog parks are under development, with a park in Lara due to open later in the year and planning is underway for a dog park to be developed in the Bellarine Ward.
These facilities are popular as they enable dogs and their owners to socialise, exercise and enjoy the company of others.
Owners of retired racing greyhounds do not have the same access to facilities as other breeds. Their access and utilisation of off-leash areas and enclosed dog parks is currently constrained or not allowed due to guidelines and legislation. This leads to the exclusion of these greyhounds and their owners from using the facilities for the benefit of both the dog and owner.
In accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, Council may consider implementing dedicated pet greyhound off-leash areas for the purpose of exercise. When doing so, it must specify that it applies only to pet greyhounds, the location, approved times and the specified purpose.
As Geelong has a growing population of retired greyhounds as pets, these dogs and their owners should have the opportunity to also socialise and exercise their pets in a safe environment.
Councillor Aitken moved, Councillor Grzybek seconded -
That Council:
Request that the Chief Executive Officer investigate opportunities to provide greyhound off-leash authorised areas in the Greater Geelong municipality in accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, giving consideration to both existing and potentially new dedicated off-leash areas, including a possible dedicated greyhound slipping track;
Officers consult with Greyhound Racing Victoria, local representatives of the Greyhound Adoption Program and Greater Geelong community greyhound owners of both retired or never-bred-to-be-raced greyhounds as part of the investigation of opportunities;
Receive a briefing on the outcomes of the investigations into these opportunities no later than October 2021; and
Receive a Council report, if required, by the end of 2021 including recommendations for Council support.
Carried.
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