Council to bid for 2016 motorhome rally

Gunnedah Shire Council set up a working group last year that visited the 29th Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) rally at Port Stephens in October.

The rally attracted about 820 campervans and motorhomes, with about 1800 people visiting the area.

Following the visit, the working group looked at possible venues and after looking closely at both the Namoi Parklands area in Maitland Street and the Gunnedah Showground, has decided the showground would be a suitable venue.

At the February council meeting, councillors heard the week of Saturday, April 16 to Sunday, April 24, 2016 was the preferred time, with a back-up date in early May.

Council voted to lodge an expression of interest with the CMCA to hold the rally, and will offer a maximum of $50,000 for in-kind and direct support for the event.

“It is estimated that a rally of this scale will generate in excess of $3 million into the local economy,” the report to council said.

“The significant benefit is that this expenditure extends across the breadth of the local economy, from essentials such as groceries and fuel to services such as pharmaceuticals to hairdressers as well as to the hospitality industry from restaurants to hotels and clubs.”

The report said the event would also provide an opportunity for local clubs to fund-raise through “support services” such as food stalls.

Mayor Owen Hasler said Gunnedah needed to get in quickly to register its interest.

“We need to bid now if we want to be in the running for next year,” he said.

The CMCA holds two rallies a year, a celebration of the club’s formation in April, and an annual general meeting-based event in October.

The rallies have special interest group activities, the poets’ breakfast, seminars, trade stands, market stalls and entertainment.

The next anniversary rally will be held at Murray Bridge, South Australia, from April 19 to April 26.