Locals are up in arms over plans to build a new ‘mega caravan park’ near Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road.
The Surf Coast Shire was inundated with complaints about the proposed multi-million dollar caravan park near Torquay, which would include 65 powered caravan sites, 15 glamping tents, 33 cabins, a cinema, a waterslide, tennis and bowls courts, a gym and a swimming pool.
Nearly 200 written submissions were received on the planned development, which would cover 8.5 hectares in Freshwater Creek. Locals largely slammed the idea as inappropriate and dangerous.
The ABC reports that Drusilla Bremner, who lives less than 100 metres from the proposed park, was worried about the impact of noise and traffic.
“The benefits of tourism need to be balanced,” she said. “This is not an appropriate site for such a high-density commercial development.”
Another local, Graham Higgin, said it was currently a low-density rural area and it should continue to be used as agricultural land, while Mark Mathews said there was no tourism infrastructure nearby and that the number of people travelling to the park with caravans would create dangerous traffic conditions.
However, the planning application said there was a desperate need for more ‘reasonably priced tourist accommodation on Victoria’s west coast, particularly in Torquay’.
“All available land within the defined settlement boundary of Torquay that could potentially accommodate a larger scale tourist facility has either been converted to residential or commercial use or earmarked to accommodate future urban development, reflecting the highest and best use of urban zoned land,” the application documents said.
Graeme Jacobs, from the applicant AREP Partners, said the park would be a major drawcard for tourists from around Australia. He told the Daily Telegraph there was an increased demand for this sort of facility because the pandemic had stopped overseas tourists from visiting.
He said the park would cater to the boom in domestic travellers who wanted ‘quality accommodation and longer stays’.
A similar proposal by a different applicant covering 50 hectares was denied by Surf Coast Shire in 2014 and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in 2015.
The Surf Coast Shire is expected to make a decision on the application at a February 23 meeting.
With all the proposed infrastructure (cinema, waterslide, etc) I can’t see it being a “reasonably priced” accommodation option!
Unfortunately people will complain about any development (the NIMBY crowd). I wonder what facilities would be available for residents, tourists etc. if developers & councils pandered to the noisy minority all the time.
It’s a bit unfair to accuse someone of a ‘NIMBY” attitude if the council decides to change the zoning of the area. If you were to buy in a rural or urban zone and it gets changed to an industrial zone I’m sure you too would be peed off.
I find it amusing when people buy a property near an established airport/shopping centre/pub/servo or highway and then complain about the noise. This is not the same scenario.
Doesn’t sound like a caravan park at all even if you call it mega.
More like a suburb
I agree with Peter Mayo, no way this would end up being reasonably priced.
Locals complain about a park development but quickly forget about parks closed and housing developments built. The industry supports a lot of jobs and the majority of the employment are in Victoria. The extra number of cars will be minimal. I have owned big park and still stay in them. You can hear a pin drop after 8.00pm.
Make sure they have parking out the back for self contained vehicles that don’t want to use any of the facilities. We have used these parks for safety sake or there being no free camps in the area. Majority are happy to have the choice.