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Australia: Industry bodies are calling for clearer planning rules for glamping accommodation in Victoria after four luxury safari tents at NRMA Bright Holiday Park were ordered to be removed following a five-year planning dispute.
The glamping tents at NRMA Bright Holiday Park must be removed after Alpine Shire Council determined they should be classified as buildings rather than temporary structures, despite the installation initially receiving local approval almost five years ago.
According to industry representatives, the tents, which each cost between A$80,000 and A$100,000 to install, have remained unused throughout the planning dispute and will now be relocated interstate.
The case has renewed calls for Victoria to introduce dedicated planning provisions for glamping accommodation. Caravan and Residential Parks Victoria (CRPV) said Victoria is the only Australian state without legislated guidance covering glamping developments, creating inconsistent planning decisions between local councils.
Leon Juffermans, founder of glamping accommodation supplier GlamXperience, said different councils were interpreting existing regulations in different ways, creating uncertainty for operators and investors.
He noted that similar safari tents have been approved and installed in other Victorian destinations, including Phillip Island, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Inverloch and the Great Ocean Road.
Gary Anderton, general manager of tourist parks at Caravan and Residential Parks Victoria, said clearer planning guidance would help unlock private investment in regional tourism accommodation.
He said: “Improving glamping opportunities will attract new visitors, boost Victorian manufacturing and unlock millions of dollars in private investment across regional Victoria.”
NRMA said the safari tents had proved popular at its holiday parks elsewhere in Australia but confirmed they would now be removed from the Bright site following an unsuccessful planning appeal.
The government said it is currently developing guidance covering glamping accommodation, tiny homes and other alternative accommodation structures in caravan parks and on private land, with updated guidance expected later this month.
Highlights
- NRMA Bright Holiday Park has been ordered to remove four luxury glamping tents after a five-year planning dispute.
- Industry groups say Victoria is the only Australian state without dedicated glamping planning provisions.
- The tents, valued at up to A$100,000 each, were never used and will be relocated interstate.
- Caravan and Residential Parks Victoria says regulatory uncertainty is delaying tourism investment.
- The Victorian government is preparing updated planning guidance for glamping and other alternative accommodation.
