Caravan Industry Association of Australia – Environmental Management Policy Template – Version EMPT02
July 11, 2014
Environmental Management
The Importance of Environmental Planning
Market research tells us that the natural environment is one of the major attractions of caravan holiday parks. In any
customer survey the natural environment rates highly as one of the most important reasons people choose a
particular park. Caravan holiday parks are located in Australia’s beauty spots, such as along the coasts, in unique
mountain areas, alongside rivers, in the forests and in central Australia.
This enables international tourists visiting Australia to acquaint themselves with Australia’s unique flora and fauna,
and wide spaces. City based tourists spend weekends in parks which lead on to wide sandy beaches or in cooler
areas away from the often humid coastal cities. Tourists from down south spend the long winter months in parks
along Queensland’s warm coastal strip.
Many parks maintain their grounds as an extension of the natural environment with shady trees and gardens, careful
consideration given to the placement and design of buildings and amenities, and procedures designed to minimise
human impact on the environment. Given the widespread public interest in the environment, parks which are seen
to have a casual attitude towards environmental issues may suffer loss of reputation and, ultimately, consumer
support.
While maintaining a natural environment makes good economic sense, it is not only economic considerations which
are important. Most caravan holiday park owners and managers themselves have an understanding of their local
environment, and with that go a desire to maintain it. However, given the difficulties of the Australian climate and
geography, maintaining the environment can only happen with careful planning and managing.
All inhabitants of a caravan holiday park must share responsibility for the environment, and this includes customers
as well as employees. It is the responsibility of the owner/manager and staff to manage this.
Questions to Consider When Developing Your Plan
Managing the local environment:
 What opportunities/ threats does the local environment present to you?
 Given EPA legislation and local Government policy what are you required to do?
Waste and pollution management:
 Is there a consultative process with local authorities to determine appropriate waste and pollution levels?
 What strategies do you have in place to demonstrate compliance?
 What are the major areas of waste and pollution generated by your park?
 What is the environmental impact?
 What techniques do you use to assess the environmental impact of these areas of concern?
 What minimisation strategies do you have in place?
 How do you assess if these strategies are effective?
Staff awareness of environmental issues:
 What processes do you have in place to research and disseminate information about environmental issues
to staff?
 What training do you have in place for staff on environmental management?
 How is this training recorded?
Caravan Industry Association of Australia – Environmental Management Policy Template – Version EMPT02
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July 11, 2014
What ongoing monitoring systems do you have in place?
What systems do you have in place for staff to manage unforeseen events (emergency management to
contain environmental damage)?
Customer awareness of environmental issues:
Many customers may want to know:
 Does the park efficiently use natural resources (water, energy)?
 How the park ensures waste disposal has minimal environmental & aesthetic impact?
 Does the park have a recycling program?
 Has the park membership of any eco-tourist networks/ programs?
Other environmental aspects to consider may include:
 Advertising environmental awareness by including information in advertising/ marketing materials
 Giving clients appropriate verbal and written education and guidance with respect to the natural and cultural
history of the local area
 Never intentionally disturbing or encouraging the disturbance of wildlife or wildlife habitats
 Keeping vehicles and pedestrians to designated roads and tracks
 The consequences for not abiding by the rules and regulations of natural areas
 How do you train the customers to avoid damaging the environment within and beyond the park boundary?
 Do you involve/ is there a way you could involve your customers in environmental management, e.g. bird
counts, dolphin watch, coastal revegetation plans?
Gumnut Program
Launched in 2002, the Gumnut Awards are based on the Professor David Bellamy Conservation Awards in the UK and
developed by the CCIA in partnership with the University of Western Sydney (UWS).
The program aims to protect and reflect the uniqueness of the Australian environment and culture. Participation in
the program benefits not just the business and park operators, it benefits everyone involved; park visitors,
holidaymakers, customers, residents, staff, the community and the environment will all be winners. http://www.gumnutawards.com.au/
Policy Documentation
To help you with the process of documenting an Environmental Management policy, Caravan Industry Association of
Australia has provided a template which can be adopted and/or amended to fit the circumstances of your park. The
template is a guide and is to help you should your park have no policy currently in place. As it is a guide only, the
contents must reflect the environmental management needs of your business.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia – Environmental Management Policy Template – Version EMPT02
July 11, 2014
Environmental Management Policy (Template)
(This template can be utilised and adapted to suit your business)
Environmental Management Policy Statement – (Insert your park’s name here)
(This is a sample of an Environmental Management Policy Statement which can be adopted
or use your own wording)
The owners/managers are committed to sustainable environmental practices to preserve the natural environment in
which the business operates. We endeavour to carry out all work practices in a manner that supports ecological
sustainability.
All staff employed by this business has read and understand the policy procedures outlined in this document and
have, if appropriate, been trained in the different policy procedures.
Environmental
element
(Use the
elements below
or add what is
pertinent to
your business)
Landscaping
Rubbish and
Recycling
Policy/ Procedure
(Policy procedure should reflect your business needs and align with
your Environmental Management Policy Statement. You may use or
amend the suggestions listed below or add your own)
(Example of some typical policy/ procedures for landscaping. You may
use or amend the suggestions listed below or add your own)

Native plants which complement the local environment are
used when creating new, or replenishing existing, garden beds
within the park

Any watering of plants within the park complies with council
regulations relating to water usage

Water timers are used within the park (this would depend on
council regulations relating to water usage) to conserve water
and ensure the sustainability of the native flora

All gardens are regularly mulched to conserve water and ensure
the continued growth of the native flora

Appropriate installation of fencing and/or paths have been
created to protect fragile vegetation

The identification and removal of any vegetation within the
park which is listed by government as “invasive or pest species”
is actively pursued by park employees and management to
ensure any serious threat to native biodiversity is removed
(Example of some typical policy/ procedures for rubbish and recycling.
You may use or amend the suggestions listed below or add your own)

The park owners/managers are committed to appropriate
removal of rubbish within the park and the regular cleaning of
bins

Recycling procedures are in place relating to bottles, tins/ cans,
newspaper and cardboard and communicated to guests
Staff
initials
Date
Caravan Industry Association of Australia – Environmental Management Policy Template – Version EMPT02
Waste Water
Management
Guest
information

Bins/ bags are provided throughout the park to encourage
guests to use the proper rubbish disposal

All bins/ bags are clearly marked as to the material to be
disposed in them to alleviate cross contamination

Extra bins/ bags are supplied to guests to ensure correct
recycling and disposal of rubbish is achieved
(Example of some typical policy/ procedures for waste water
management. You may use the suggestions listed below or add your
own)

The park owners/managers are committed to the correct
disposal of any waste water created by the maintenance of the
park or by any guest staying within the park

Waste disposal points are clearly marked throughout the park
and how to use these waste points are again clearly signed for
guests information

Any chemicals used in the maintenance of the park are
disposed of correctly ensuring no spillage contaminates local
waterways

Appropriately licensed waste companies are used when/if
waste water is required to be removed
(Example of some typical policy/ procedures for guest information.
You may use the suggestions listed below or add your own)

Information sheets are provided to all guests encouraging the
sustainability of the native flora and to encourage conservation
actions which guests can follow to minimise the impact on the
local environment

Appropriate signage is installed within the park alerting guests
to the impact their actions may have on the environment they
have come to enjoy and how to minimise that impact
July 11, 2014