Australian Caravan Club (ACC) members returning from their Shepparton National Muster stayed overnight at Willow Tree and attended the official opening of the Liverpool Plains new freedom camping area in Willow Tree on Friday morning.

The freedom camp was officially opened by the Liverpool Plains Shire Council (LPSC) Deputy Mayor, Cr Doug Hawkins.

The facility is situated at the Recreation Ground at the end of Recreation Street.  It provides toilets and showers, is pet friendly with potable water available and has the ability to cater for large caravans and motorhomes.

The camp ground provides a pleasant and affordable area for travellers with RVs to stay for up to 72 hours and complements freedom camping sites at Wallabadah, Premer and Currabubula and more basic sites at Caroona and Spring Ridge in the LPSC.

“The new Willow Tree facility is another step in implementing Council’s Recreational Vehicle (RV) Strategy which aims to cater for the steadily growing tourism potential of self-contained recreational vehicles, caravans/motorhomes as well as the camping market,” said Cr Hawkins.  “This market is an increasingly important contributor to the LPSC economy.”

“Recent research through Tourism Research Australia reveals the average weekly spend of RV tourists is $500.  When they stay at rest areas, 78% spend in the order of $80.  LPSC is investing to provide these travellers with value for money and an experience that won’t cost an arm and a leg.”

Cr Hawkins acknowledged the contribution that RVers make to local communities. “A visit by the ACC earlier this year resulted in an average of $504.56 being spent by each RV realizing approximately $25,228.00 to the local economy,” Cr Hawkins said.

ACC Deputy Chairman Tom Smith presented Cr Hawkins with an ACC RV STAY sign for the site.  “As an RV Club, the ACC strongly supports the LPSC’s RV Strategy.”

“A lot of credit has to go to the LPSC and staff for being prepared to think out of the box and supply what the market wants,” Mr Smith said.