New policy priorities call for boost in road safety and support for regional economies

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As Australians prepare to head to the polls this year, Caravan Industry Association of Australia has publicly unveiled its new policy roadmap, The Road Ahead: A View to the Future. The document was soft launched to federal politicians in October 2024 as part of Friends of Caravanning #2.

DOWNLAD: The Road Ahead: A View to the Future

With caravanning and camping central to domestic tourism and regional economic growth, Caravan Industry Association of Australia is calling on all political parties to back these targeted initiatives that will deliver safer journeys, stronger regional economies, and a more sustainable future for the industry.

One key initiative involves the introduction of subsidised towing courses to improve driver safety and a $2 million National Safe Towing Campaign aligned with the broader National Road Safety Strategy.

With over 900,000 registered RVs on Australian roads, these measures will address the increasing risks associated with towing and ensure safer road travel for all.

“As an industry we continue to see growth across both the manufacturing and tourism sectors of the industry, growth that has seen the industry achieve some dizzying milestones,” said Stuart Lamont, Chief Executive of Caravan Industry Association of Australia.

“The humble industry is no longer, contributing $27 billion annually to GDP, over 900,000 registered caravans and RVs travelling the country’s roads, and last year we saw Australians make a record 15.3 million trips and stay 60.7 million visitor nights, most of which were in regional and rural Australia.

“Caravanning is the backbone of domestic tourism, particularly in regional areas. These policy priorities aim to make journeys safer and communities stronger while enhancing the overall experience for travellers.”

Regional communities also stand to benefit through expanded infrastructure investment.  A $10 million Caravan Park Infrastructure Grant Program will modernise facilities, enhance accessibility, and introduce eco-friendly practices, ensuring caravan parks remain vital economic hubs for local communities.

“As we saw from previous funding for caravan park infrastructure grants, regional economies benefitted significantly, not only on through the infrastructure investment but the economic flow on through more Australians visiting our beautiful regions,” said Lamont.

With a commitment to collaboration, Caravan Industry Association of Australia is calling on government and industry stakeholders to support these initiatives, ensuring the caravan industry continues to thrive while making Australian roads and regions safer and more accessible. 

Key Initiatives: 

Accessible and Sustainable Parks – Caravan Park Infrastructure Upgrades 

  • $10 million in Round 2 funding to modernise caravan parks, prioritising accessibility and eco-friendly infrastructure, driving regional tourism growth. 

Safer Roads 

  • $3 million for subsidised towing courses targeting 10,000 participants annually. 
  • A $2 million National Safe Towing Campaign to improve education and awareness. 

Ensuring Sovereign Manufacturing Through Modernisation 

  • Tax offsets for sustainable manufacturing initiatives. 
  • A permanent extension of the Instant Asset Write-Off program for manufacturers. 

Supporting Small Business 

  • $5 million Small Business Red Tape Reduction Fund over four years. 
  • $1 million annually for Digital Transformation Grants to enhance productivity. 

Future Fuels and Decarbonisation 

  • $40 million National Caravan Industry Sustainability Fund over five years. 
  • 5% tax rebate for carbon-neutral caravan parks to support emissions reduction goals. 

READ: Full release here