Wednesday, 13 May 2026

 Rachel WESTAWAY (Prahran) (17:20): (1667) My adjournment this evening is to Minister for Housing and Building, and it concerns the long-delayed Victorian government glamping guidance note, for which the new minister has general order responsibilities for. The action I seek is for the minister to urgently sign off on the guidance note, which has now been sitting at ministerial level since October of last year, more than 900 days since it was first flagged for development. This is not a new issue. It is not a complex policy reform requiring years of consultation. The work has also been done. The industry has engaged in good faith. Guidance has been prepared by the department. Yet despite this, the final sign-off has stalled, and the consequences are now being felt right across regional Victoria.

Last week I met with representatives from Caravan & Residential Parks Victoria, the peak body representing more than 380 parks across the state. They outlined in the clearest of terms, ‘Our tourist parks around the state are ready to invest.’ Glamping represents one of the most significant opportunities for low-impact, nature-based accommodation that aligns with modern visitor expectations. It is a product that attracts new markets, creates a length of stay and increases tourism activities for regional communities. But Victoria is the only state without clear regulatory guidance in this area, and as a result Victoria is the only state where investment projects are being delayed, scaled back or abandoned altogether due to the uncertainty and inconsistent interpretation across councils. Caravan & Residential Parks Victoria has identified that more than $25 million in private investment has already been lost or stalled as a direct result of this delay. That is $25 million not flowing into regional economies, that is construction activity not proceeding, that is local jobs not being created, and this is happening at a time when regional Victoria and tourism in this state needs exactly the opposite.

The latest data shows caravan and camping contributes $2.64 billion to the Victorian economy annually, with around 12 million visitor nights, accounting for nearly half of all regional holiday nights. This is not a niche sector, it is a cornerstone of regional tourism. Glamping across Victoria has the potential to build on that strength. It also supports year-round visitation, which is critical for smoothing seasonal demand and supporting local businesses outside of peak periods. What is particularly frustrating for tourist park operators is that the absence of guidance is not neutral. It is actively creating risk. Different councils are applying different interpretations. Some are treating glamping tents as buildings, others as temporary structures. Some require full planning permits, others do not. This inconsistency is creating delays and increasing costs and undermining investor confidence. The minister has an opportunity to unlock investments, support regional jobs and strengthen Victoria’s tourism offering with a single decision.