It took about 12 months to complete the application but the owners of the Countryside Family Park in Kalaru could not be happier their business has achieved a Gold Gumnut certification.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Gold Gumnut award recognises the park’s high standards of sustainability and environmental practice set by the Caravan & Camping Industry Association (CCIA).
It is one of two local caravan parks to have received this level of qualification, the other being Tathra Beach Family Park.
The Gumnut Eco program, developed in conjunction with University of Western Sydney, applies to holiday parks, manufactured home villages, manufacturers, retailers and suppliers who operate caravan and camping related businesses.
It acknowledges a host of achievements from site design and presentation to air and noise pollution standards and environmental stewardship.
Countryside Family Park owners Mick and Deb Mundy and Karen Jones are extremely pleased their small park has met the requirements for environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
“It’s a big deal to us that we achieved this,” Ms Mundy said.
“It took me 12 months to do all the paperwork for the application, there was a lot of criteria to be met.
“When I first started with the Bronze level, my main aim was to eventually get gold.
“I thank CCIA environmental specialist Kylie Robertson for her help in gaining this award.
“With our park being in a bush setting, we take the environmental impact side very seriously.
“People can now see the gold logo on all our advertising and many booking accommodation will look for this.”
Countryside Family Park is one of a growing number of businesses across Australia acknowledged for their commitment to sustainability and environmental practice, achieving the high standards required to meet the CCIA’s Gumnut Eco Program’s Gold, Silver and Bronze level qualifications.
CCIA NSW CEO Lyndel Gray said businesses displaying the Gumnut logo are focused on environmental and socially responsible management – and are businesses employing practices with the future in mind.
All businesses are independently assessed through a site inspection and their membership must be renewed every two to three years - ensuring their business maintains standards and sets new goals to ensure there is continuity and progression in sustainability.
“We have plans to add more environmental practices as each year goes along,” Ms Mundy said.