Centre leads push for free RV parking

A push by the Dryandra Country Visitor Centre could soon give Narrogin a larger share of Australia’s $19 billion caravan industry.

The DCVC wants Narrogin to capitalise on the rise of recreational vehicle drivers travelling throughout WA by offering free RV camping next to Narrogin railway station on Fairway Street.

DCVC manager Geire Kami said the site’s proximity to Narrogin’s CBD would be an economic boost to traders while also boosting the town’s profile among RV and caravan communities.

“We are missing an opportunity to attract visitors to the area, and that, in turn, means we are missing out on capturing the economic benefit that visitors bring with them,” she said.

“If you consider people who travel in recreational vehicles spend money in the various places they stop, they could be spending money at the petrol stations, the pubs, the cafes, the newsagency, the chemists, the laundromat,mechanics and auto shops.”

Ms Kami said while Narrogin already has a caravan park, RV users were deterred by its distance from the town’s centre.

“The two markets, recreational vehicles and caravans, are vastly different — RVs do not stop at caravan parks,” she said.

“They are self contained, so they don’t require the extra facilities that a caravan park offers.”

A report by the DCVC has been endorsed by the Shire of Narrogin’s tourism committee and is expected to be brought to council.