The holidays are coming and so the tourists and caravans are flocking to Maitland for camping.
Maitland showground averages with 50 to 100 caravans every week. More to this, tourists often come back to this century old park place as they love the peaceful and pet-friendly surroundings.
Bronwyn Bell, function coordinator at the Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Association, said that the society has been calling for an expansion of the camping grounds to help meet the demand. However, she also said that the lack of finances is hindering them to upgrade the amenities.
Ms. Bell further remarked, “We average 50 to 100 through the week and we’ve certainly got the room to expand – we’d love to expand, we’d like to improve the amenities, put in more showers, and add a laundromat…” but “because the facility is so old – it’s the oldest ongoing showground on the mainland – every cent of revenue is put back into repairing the grounds.”
She also added that grants are not a feasible option to raise fund as they are privately owned.
Currently, the showgrounds have 150 powered sites with water. Basic amenities are provided. It also has a dump point. There are three showers and three toilets in a block, as well as several toilet blocks available.
Charges range from $25 per night to $150 per week.
Overall, the showground was a good earner for the society and because of this, more money goes to the ground restoration.
Still, the emerging demands of the number of tourists coming in during concerts and sports events call for expansion.
As of now, markets occupy the sites in the beginning of each month. Also, camp sites are not available during Groovin the Moo, Maitland Show, and the annual Hunter Valley Caravan, Camping 4WD and Boating Show.
The need for expansion also surfaced when some sporting groups were asked to stay as far away as Lake Macquarie and Muswellbrook during their competition.
To support the clamor for expansion, the society is willing to partner with the Maitland council to help in accommodating more caravans close to CBD.
Full article by Belinda-Jane Davis courtesy of the The Maitland Mercury
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