WEST TAMAR COUNCILLOR RICHARD IRELAND
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councillor richard ireland

Exeter - Rv friendly (and EV !)

21/8/2016

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At the August council meeting I successfully put a motion to make Exeter an Recreational Vehicle friendly town. 
There were 2 main reasons for this:
  • Add to the West Tamar as a tourist experience.
  • Assist the 20+ businesses of Exeter
To comply with the requirements of the Campervan Association rules for "RV friendly" the only things we need to do are to provide a dump point and water. A very small investment for a big return. This could form part of the Biloo park development which is already in the Exeter plan.



I do not propose we provide any overnight parking in Exeter – why would you want to when there’s Rose Bay 3.5km away. .
This will not have any negative effect on the existing caravan sites businesses – in fact it may have a benefit – RVs may be drawn to Exeter because of the facilities – and then carry on to camp sites further North. Campervans don’t always go to camp sites, but if they do it’s because they want a real shower, powered sites and to socialise – not to empty their tanks.




There are also health issues - campervans don’t always do the right thing - they have been known to just back into the bush and open the tap. If we provide a free and convenient option it will help to reduce that problem.

And whilst we're helping the campervans - why not assist electric vehicles - we could also include an electric vehicle charging station – very small cost. This would further encourage tourists to Tasmania as it would increase the range that electric cards could reach. Currently the Tesla provide free charging stations at strategic intervals – so you can get from Melbourne to Brisbane for example. There are a few in Tasmania – but there’s a great big gap between Devonport and Hobart that precludes tourists “doing the island”– this is a huge opportunity to get those cars to come through WT.
The charger could be solar powered using panels on the library roof - West Tamar Council can lead the state using this technology.

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And then there's the cyclists. For a relatively small cost we can install a bike repair station - I saw this when I was on holiday in Canada recently. 
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With these facilities, plus a small playground, I hope that this will encourage visitors to stay a while in Exeter rather than just driving through.
'd appreciate comments.   
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