Planning Minister, Justin Madden today released updated regulations to improve fire safety and emergency management standards in caravan parks and introduce new energy efficiency standards for park cabins and movable dwellings.
Releasing the new Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2010 at the Jayco Manufacturing Complex in Dandenong South, Mr Madden said the new rules came into effect today.
“Caravan parks are major providers of accommodation including self contained cabins, powered sites for tourist caravans, and tent sites for camping enthusiasts,” Mr Madden said.
“The updated regulations provide improved standards for caravan parks for fire safety and in case of an emergency such as bushfires, severe storms or floods.”
Mr Madden said the regulations also set standards for the construction of park cabins.
“They do not cover the manufacture of caravans or campervans which, as road vehicles, have separate standards,” he said.
“The new energy efficiency standards include measures such as installing insulation to improve the environmental performance of park cabins.”
Mr Madden said the key changes to the regulations were:
- Improved standards for fire prevention and safety– requiring caravan park owners to have up to date fire safety measures;
- Updated emergency management planning requirements in case of possible emergencies such as bushfires, floods and severe storms requiring caravan park owners to update or improve their emergency management plans;
- Improved construction standards for new movable dwellings including minimum energy efficiency requirements and referencing the Building Code of Australia for the relevant technical specifications for unregisterable movable dwellings; and
- Extension of the caravan park registration period from one to three years, cutting red tape.
“While the past regulations have served Victoria well for the last decade, these updates enable the industry to reflect modern safety and amenity standards,” Mr Madden said.
“These new regulations have been developed following extensive review and consultation on the existing regulations.
“Important feedback was received from community groups, local government and industry representatives and this has enabled the new regulations to be updated to reflect community interests and modern industry practices.”
Copies of the new regulations and how they apply are available: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning. Caravan park operators or people wanting clarification of the new regulations can call the Department of Planning and Community Development on 9208 3333.