Bass Coast Shire Council focuses on caravans and motorhomes as it considers options to entice RV travellers to stay a little longer.

The Bass Coast is a closer to becoming “recreational vehicle friendly” as the council looks to drive the economy further on the back of new tourism enticements.

Bass Coast Shire currently has no free camping spots avaliable.​

Caravanners and tourism businesses could be the big winners if a plan to roll out free short-term parking and low-cost accommodation for recreation vehicle travellers gains traction.

The Bass Coast Shire Council is one step closer to becoming “recreational vehicle friendly” after an internal review found the region was not “tapping into” the revenue that RV travellers create.

Our nation has more than 750,000 registered recreational vehicles and - according to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) - the industry contributes more than $23 billion annually to the economy.

Councillor Bruce Kent said change was needed as campers and RV users were “bypassing Bass Coast and not spending any of their money here”.

In order to become officially RV friendly, the council will need to create short-term low cost overnight parking for self-contained recreational vehicles close to major town centres and install access to potable water and free dump points, the review said.

The review also said the shire was not providing any amenities for this “unique” market.

“Bass Coast is fortunate to have a number of natural drawcards that attract visitors locally, nationally and internationally,” the council said.

“Accommodation is an essential component of visitor attraction ensuring that visitors can linger, enjoy everything that Bass Coast has to offer and, in return, support our local economy.”

Opponents of free or low-cost camping cite negative impacts on commercial accommodation providers through creation of unfair competition for commercial operators.

There are fears prioritising RV travellers could adversely impact local businesses.

Some opponents suggested the council should focus on supporting commercial caravan park operators, rather than providing free camping sites.

The review said there was a growing market of 20-29 years olds partaking in RV holidays and that people who are engaged in low-cost or free camping or RV holidays tended to stay at free camping grounds and avoided commercial caravan and camping sites.

Councillor Les Larke said even though free campers and commercial campground goers were “two separate markets” there would be adequate consideration given to commercial caravan parks.

The review was supported by the region’s councillors on Wednesday and will now be passed for consideration in the development of the Economic Development Strategy.