Sun shines on committee’s parks program
It has also become aligned with Top Parks and started offering a weekly three park pass for $120 (off-peak).
“It’s all part of us being more entrepreneurial and also more innovative,” Ms Schernickau said.
Commercial business manager Daniel Aitken said the opportunity was in growing off-season visitation and extending the shoulder periods of its peak season.
It is targeting more school groups and hopes to expand its award-winning education program, which is now based at the Anglesea park.
“We are bringing tents in for schools that don’t have enough money to have their own equipment and exposing students to that authentic camping experience,” Mr Aitken said.
Working in partnership with its licensed beachside operators also holds opportunity to grow to caravan park trade.
He said linking good commercial outcomes with environmental and community outcomes made business sense.
“We think differently now,” he said. “And it actually creates better commercial opportunities for us.”
Educating visitors is also a long-term investment in changing behaviours and last year more than 5000 guests took part in activities at the Anglesea park.
GORCC is considering how to educate visitors on singleuse plastics and there will be no straws over summer.
Ms Schernickau said visitors were more aware of what happened outside the park and understood coastal work was funded through caravan park operations.
“A lot of what we do, emptying bins, making sure the toilets are clean, that work is often done by local councils,” she said.
“But we are doing that work funded through these caravan parks as well as making sure we reinvest back into the parks so they are welcoming, modern and up to date.”