Dispute threatens camps

Surf Coast school camp and activity providers could go out of business as an ongoing teacher pay dispute leads to cancellations and postponements, managers say.
Club Lorne Outdoor Education Camp director Phil Sutton said the dispute threatened up to $100,000 of his bookings.
Mr Sutton said Surf Coast venues generally had to be fully booked in advance for term one because they relied on beach-themed camps while warmer weather lasted.
“Term one is always the biggest term for bookings, so this is a major issue for the industry,” Mr Sutton said.
“We’ve had a few camps where teachers have said no because their principals withdrew permission.
“Term one normally sets us up for the whole year and that’s all in jeopardy under this work-to-rule situation.”
Teachers have restricted their duties to normal working hours as part of their campaign for better pay and conditions.
Mr Sutton said the dispute would have a serious flow-on effect for other businesses relying on the school camp industry.
“We normally spend close to $60,000 or $70,000 on food annually in Geelong and locally,” Mr Sutton said.
“We pay Lorne Surf Live Saving Club $60,000 a year in rental and it’s an important part of their income.”
“This is very serious stuff for us and the industry. We are innocent bystanders, copping brunt of it.
“With schools about to go back, it’s a real crunch time now.
Coastal Forest Lodge manager Iona Roberts said the dispute had created “a fair bit of worry”.
“If it goes on longer it will have huge effect on us. We provide lot of business to local suppliers and all those guys will feel it.”
Australian Camps Association chief David Petherick said the businesses were collateral damage.
“We respect the rights of the teachers and the government in this but we’re disappointed there have been no further discussions since December.
“We want to see both parties back at the table to get this dispute resolved because the impact on our members is profound. Some camps might go to the wall over this and local camps employ local people and jobs will be lost.”