We acknowledge receipt of your comments in regards to low cost/free rest areas.

The Queensland Drive Tourism Strategy, launched on 24 January 2013, was developed to encourage more travellers to take a driving holiday in Queensland. The matter of local government approaches to camping options was raised as a key issue during the consultation process of the strategy. As such, the strategy committed to develop a Camping Options Guideline for Local Governments to help councils effectively manage camping options in their communities and provide tourists with a more consistent approach to camping across Queensland.

Following a review of relevant research and policies from across the world and targeted audits in three local government areas, community consultation workshops were held across Queensland to present a number of policy options and get input from consumers, operators, councils, government agencies and other stakeholders. A well attended consultation meeting was held in Hervey Bay October 2013 with Bundaberg Regional Council, operators and interested members of the public also present. This provided stakeholders within the local community the opportunity to contribute to developing a set of guidelines for Councils based on a 360% view. Every Council manages camping slightly differently, it is hoped with a set of guidelines formed from input across all areas and stakeholders that this will ultimately help present a more consistent approach. The guideline for Councils will be available in March 2014. 

Further information about the Camping Options Guideline Project is available at:  http://www.dtesb.qld.gov.au/tourism-industry/queensland-drive-tourism-strategy  

Warm regards