Gunnedah bid for 2018 Campervan, Motorhome Club Australia rally

The 66,000-member Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) recently contacted Gunnedah council about its interest to host a rally next year.

The rally could generate more than $2 million in revenue for Gunnedah’s economy, based on spending from the 2013 CMCA rally in Narrabri.

Council applied unsuccessfully to stage a rally in 2016 but after recent communication with CMCA, will lodge a second expression of interest for 2018.

Council agreed at its February meeting to offer $50,000 for in-kind and direct support of the event – the same figure proposed in its 2016 submission.

Councillor and former mayor Owen Hasler said despite a strong application last time and good feedback from CMCA representatives, council refused involvement in a “bidding war”. 

“We didn’t want to be seen to be buying it,” Cr Hasler said.

“But there were a large number in the hierarchy keen to come to Gunnedah.” 

Gunnedah showgrounds is the suggested location for the rally as most primary infrastructure including fresh water, sewerage and electricity, is already available at the site. Some portable infrastructure may be required to supplement the facilities.

Travellers were generally supportive of the proposal but said more accommodation solutions would be a plus.

Tim Dare from Launceston has been on the road for three years and travelled from Western Australia to Cairns. 

Mr Dare said the town’s wide roads and easy access to shopping centres made Gunnedah an attractive proposition to caravan tourists. But “more space” and camping options would be a bonus.

Also pledging his support was Willow Tree visitor Russell Smith.

“You tick all the right boxes,” Mr Smith said during his brief stay in Gunnedah on Monday.

Local caravan park manager Ivan Piefke said the annual AgQuip influx showed how people are prepared to travel for big events in the bush. He saw no reason why they wouldn’t for a CMCA rally in Gunnedah too.

A working group featuring community members as well as councillor Colleen Fuller, Robert Hooke and pending his acceptance on return from leave, Owen Hasler, will be established to support staff in the 2018 rally bid.