Hi Everyone, we are new to this caravan park life, but have a question. Is it legal for the Resident Park Managers to go away and only have office staff on duty from 8am to 8pm.
Bit worried about any night time emergency that could happen and no-one is here. Getting on in years and not comfortable with it. Any information would be appreciated.
Welcome to the forum Mineme. Yes this happens at lots of places. If you were have serious worries you can always call the police or ambulance, or if there's no mobile phone signal there is usually a phone box. There are usually other travellers who may be able to assist as well.
We have been in many places like this, most National Parks have no resident manager/ranger. We had a health problem once and waited till next morning, as we hadn't checked on location of phone box, now we always check on arriving.
Some parks have an emergency number displayed...if not then ask when you book in. They will have one because the owner would like to know if his amenities are burning down.
From my experience, there's not much difference if the manager is in attendance or not. Two examples: A very large park in Adelaide and a tour bus arrives at about 8pm. The 30 or so passengers alight and set up their tents and then cook dinner. They then proceed to have a little rave party until well after 1pm. We fronted the manager who eventually came to the door and after a bit of persuasion got dressed and came down to have a word to the noisemakers. Surely in a park of this size, there should be some sort of regular patrol even if it's done by an outside security firm.
Another experience we had was at a small camp ground near a very large dam in country NSW. We paid for the privilege of staying there when we entered the park. During the afternoon we noticed quite a number of people arriving and all heading for the shoreline below where we were camped. They had a number of ski boats, but we didn't think too much more about it. That is until this large truck arrived.
About an hour later, roughly about 7pm the music started. At first it wasn't too bad but gradually the noise level rose, probably in line with the level of intoxication of many of the revellers. This was now a full blown rave party complete with techno music, flashing lights and the biggest sub woofers on the planet. By 9pm things were looking decidedly ordinary for a good nights sleep and the noise level was deafening. As there was no phone coverage available, we drove the 5 klms to the manager's residence to report the situation. Knocked on the door, but no answer.
Our only recourse was to pack everything up and move. These places are happy to take your money but offer little if anything in the way of support in these situations. Hardly good enough.
yes had the same situation in a victorian cp but it was the residents that sat up till 3am around camp fires talking loudly etc
now we check and see if there are camp fires and avoid them like the plague on cps,
it is all about somebody in authority walking round at night and checking ,
whats the point of spending good money for site fees, rvs,even tents if you have neighbours from hell next door
would like to hear if grey nomads know of any cps that do patrol their parks ?? and i will put them on my list
Yes. have had loud drunk near us. Wife screaming help. Loud music all hours of the night. We had booked in for 6 weeks. Complained and was told that person was living in one of their vans (paying weekly rent) but had been told to leave but had to the end of the week to leave. Surfice to say we cancelled and left.
Hasn't put us off but now we go to the caravan park and check it out first. If we like it, we will stay longer.
Is there someone living on the premises at night? Lets hope so.
From my experience, there's not much difference if the manager is in attendance or not. Two examples: A very large park in Adelaide and a tour bus arrives at about 8pm. The 30 or so passengers alight and set up their tents and then cook dinner. They then proceed to have a little rave party until well after 1pm. We fronted the manager who eventually came to the door and after a bit of persuasion got dressed and came down to have a word to the noisemakers. Surely in a park of this size, there should be some sort of regular patrol even if it's done by an outside security firm.
Another experience we had was at a small camp ground near a very large dam in country NSW. We paid for the privilege of staying there when we entered the park. During the afternoon we noticed quite a number of people arriving and all heading for the shoreline below where we were camped. They had a number of ski boats, but we didn't think too much more about it. That is until this large truck arrived.
About an hour later, roughly about 7pm the music started. At first it wasn't too bad but gradually the noise level rose, probably in line with the level of intoxication of many of the revellers. This was now a full blown rave party complete with techno music, flashing lights and the biggest sub woofers on the planet. By 9pm things were looking decidedly ordinary for a good nights sleep and the noise level was deafening. As there was no phone coverage available, we drove the 5 klms to the manager's residence to report the situation. Knocked on the door, but no answer.
Our only recourse was to pack everything up and move. These places are happy to take your money but offer little if anything in the way of support in these situations. Hardly good enough.
From my experience, there's not much difference if the manager is in attendance or not. Two examples: A very large park in Adelaide and a tour bus arrives at about 8pm. The 30 or so passengers alight and set up their tents and then cook dinner. They then proceed to have a little rave party until well after 1pm. We fronted the manager who eventually came to the door and after a bit of persuasion got dressed and came down to have a word to the noisemakers. Surely in a park of this size, there should be some sort of regular patrol even if it's done by an outside security firm.
Another experience we had was at a small camp ground near a very large dam in country NSW. We paid for the privilege of staying there when we entered the park. During the afternoon we noticed quite a number of people arriving and all heading for the shoreline below where we were camped. They had a number of ski boats, but we didn't think too much more about it. That is until this large truck arrived.
About an hour later, roughly about 7pm the music started. At first it wasn't too bad but gradually the noise level rose, probably in line with the level of intoxication of many of the revellers. This was now a full blown rave party complete with techno music, flashing lights and the biggest sub woofers on the planet. By 9pm things were looking decidedly ordinary for a good nights sleep and the noise level was deafening. As there was no phone coverage available, we drove the 5 klms to the manager's residence to report the situation. Knocked on the door, but no answer.
Our only recourse was to pack everything up and move. These places are happy to take your money but offer little if anything in the way of support in these situations. Hardly good enough.
Had a similar experience at Adelaide Shores Caravan Park. They have an outside security firm doing the rounds. When we challenged them they could not see anything was wrong. This happened every weekends. Locals would come in with trailers loaded with alcohol ready for partying from Fri night till Sun afternoon.
We send them an email complaining and stating we would not stay there again and tell as many people we coiuld.
Hi Everyone, we are new to this caravan park life, but have a question. Is it legal for the Resident Park Managers to go away and only have office staff on duty from 8am to 8pm.
Bit worried about any night time emergency that could happen and no-one is here. Getting on in years and not comfortable with it. Any information would be appreciated.
Welcome to the forum minime. I think these days the Public Liability Insurers insist on Caravan Parks having a staff member (or after hours caretaker) on site 24/7, otherwise they are not covered for insurance etc. Not sure if this is the case everywhere.
Noise complaints should be reported to the police - that is their job. Put yourself in the managers shoes: how would you like to tell a group of drunken yahoos to shut up or get out when you're on your lonesome. Not something I would even consider!
Usually caravan parks have rules, eg; no undue noise etc after 10PM which is usually given to you in written form on your receipt etc when you book in, so I believe the first point of contact is the Manager, after all he/she is managing the park to ensure all guests have a pleasant stay and comply with the park rules on behalf of the owners.
I think it is then up to the Managers to contact the police if they are needed, not the residents, unless the Manager is absent for some reason. Although in a serious or urgent situation then you make the call.
-- Edited by Vic41 on Wednesday 16th of July 2014 11:42:22 AM
