Visitors to get cut-price camp fees

Tourists visiting Port Hedland will have reduced camping fees this season, thanks to a unanimous decision at council last week.

The Recreational Vehicle camping fee at Port Hedland Racecourse will be abandoned for the 2017 season, which will open only when all three caravan parks in the Town of Port Hedland reach 75 per cent occupancy.

Chief executive officer David Pentz will also appoint a camp host/caretaker on site, who will be appointed through an expression of interest.

These changes come after concerns were raised in the review of the 2016 tourist season where the key aim of the RV program was identified to promote the Town and not as a cost recovery program.

While the waiving of the nightly fee will result in an income loss of $20,000, the town hopes it will encourage spending in town, after data which showed $167,382 was spent on local goods and services as a direct result of tourist season.

The Town of Port Hedland predicts the modifications to the program for 2017 will enhance Port Hedland as a destination for RV travellers and directly lead to a greater spend of local businesses.