Alice Springs holiday park owners complain about price undercutting by Government-owned showgrounds

Caravan parks in Alice Springs have accused the town's government-owned showgrounds of undercutting them in the grey nomad market, by offering dog-friendly sites at half the price of commercial sites.

Blatherskite Park, is owned by the Northern Territory Government and is home to the Alice Springs Show, as well as equestrian events and community groups like Riding for the Disabled.

Local caravan park owner and Alice Springs Councillor Brendan Heenan told the ABC "it's very disappointing to see Blatherskite Park taking so many caravans,"

"Originally it was designed to take the overflow, when the (caravan) parks are full."

But Blatherskite Park Chairman Brad Bellette said despite having no advertising or staff, the no-frills showground had grown in popularity over the last few years thanks to the ‘grey nomad’ market.

Bellette stated “pretty much all it offers is green grass and blue sky"I suppose we are undercutting, but we're also providing a service that the caravan parks can't provide."

That includes dog-friendly camping and room for giant motor homes.

Bellette added “most of them are self-funded retirees and they travel for five or 10 years and they like the kind of park we are. They like the fact it's a crown land reserve.”

Heenan said the impact on local commercial operators has led an association of operators to take it up with Tourism Central Australia and the Northern Territory Government.

Heenan added “they're undercutting all the parks, pricewise as well.

"You don't have to pay rates, because it's government land, but undercutting the parks is very significant, because people in these times, they're always looking for a price advantage."

Bellette said despite not paying rates, Blatherskite Park still had its own challenges, concluding “technically we're government owned, but we actually are run by volunteers and we still have to stand on our own two feet and that's where having vans does help."

Bellette concluded that since the influx of grey nomads in the peak tourist season, the park has been able to break even for the first time in years.

Images: Grey nomads (top) and Blatherskite Park (middle and below).

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