Over recent years, more and more beachfront caravan parks have been consumed by developers, so most grey nomads naturally welcome news that new ones are to be established.
However, it doesn’t happen all that often and, when it does, there is generally a fair bit of opposition.
Up in the north Queensland seaside community of Freshwater Point near Mackay, the battle over plans to allow a handful of self-contained campers stay there continues to rage.
Mackay Regional Council has just narrowly voted to allow the project to move forward but under strict regulations … and against a backdrop of fierce opposition.
Grey nomads are finding it ever harder to camp near the beach. PIC: EvgeniT / Pixabay
Mackay’s Daily Mercury reports that landowners Michael and Lirelda Lynch have been seeking to build a park for recreational vehicles along Miran Khan Drive, located just metres from the beach.
The newspaper says a dozen residents made submissions to council against the development, along with a petition opposing it, and the project scope was subsequently reduced from 20 RV sites down to seven.
The Lynch’s reportedly responded to concerns by saying guests and campers would be generally ‘families and grey nomads that enjoy the outdoors and have a healthy respect’ for the environment.
They also said the development would diversify the regional economy, strengthen the character and lifestyle of Freshwater Point, and create a sustainable tourism industry that celebrated the region’s assets.
The Daily Mercury reports that Freshwater Point resident Rod Den Elzen told councillors he strongly opposed the plan.
“Just over a year ago, my wife and I bought a block of land down at Freshwater Point there, which we decided to buy as our retirement place,” he said. “We thought, ‘you beauty’, we’ve got a beautiful bit of paradise.”
Mr Elzen said they were dismayed to discover tourism plans for the residential-rural zoned block and said he and the community were prepared to take further steps should the project be approved.
Councillor Justin Englert said while he felt for the Freshwater Point residents, he must support the development as he was bound to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme.
“It’s my understanding that under the current application that if we rejected it, the owner would have grounds to take us to court,” Cr Englert said. “If I was to just work on empathy alone, it would be easy to try and knock this back, but unfortunately I don’t have that luxury.”
The Daily Mercury reports that Deputy Mayor Karen May also said she was also ‘very torn’ with particular concerns that the application did not require a person on site to manage the park.
“I sympathise with the residents,” Cr May said. “I hear their concerns but purely from a planning perspective, it meets all the requirements.”
Cr Belinda Hassan said while the caravan park would have to meet strict conditions, the extent of the negative feedback from the tight knit community compelled her to vote against the development.
The motion was eventually carried by five votes to four.
However, the Daily Mercury reports that, as part of the approval conditions, the park must only permit self-contained recreational vehicles, limit stays to three consecutive nights, limit vehicle access to one entry/exit, and construct a new access point.
Grey nomad members are being offered the chance to win two great prizes … a 2.4m x 5m caravan mat valued at $299.95, and an Auspit Compact Spit Roast Kit valued at $285. Click here to find out more.
We have stayed at numerous stopovers along the coast and all have been respected and well run. Do you really want a large caravan park or another hotel! We have never stayed at Mackay, only driven in for a look as there was no suitable place to stay with our MH and dog.
Freshwater Point is coastal from Sarina not Mackay , so article is a little deceptive as to location. That said I think is a great thing if successful.
I feel for the other people but if they have toilets whats the problem are they so anti social they dont want other people there or are they snobs
I am pleased that the park at Freshwater Point will go ahead. Mackay is not an RV friendly town, having moved the Information Centre from where there was RV parking and a dump point into the city where very limited parking for caravans is available. Both Canelands and Mt Pleasant shopping centres don’t allow for RV parking and there is no 24hr free camp in, or close to Mackay. Mackay council needs to wake up to how much, not only Grey nomads but families permanently on the road spend in towns providing 24-48hr free camping in Showgrounds or the like. But they have never been too bright as far as tourism goes.
Great answer, yes we do need RV friendly places to be able to stay a night and contribute to the towns shops and services … self contained means self contained leave no trace so they should not be concerned of problems into the future .. it will be a good thing I whole heartedly be agree with your thoughts.
We have been travelling up & down the Qld coast for 30 years & for the past 20 or so have not stopped in Mackay. We do some shopping and refuel in Rockhampton, stay the night in the free camp then next stop free camp in the middle of Proserpine, where we do more shopping & give our motorhome a big drink of diesel. Whoever thought of moving the information centre in town where there is little or no parking for caravans is a genius. As the previous reply says, they have never been too bright as far as tourism goes.
Just plain selfishness. I’m alright Jack.
I know the place and there’s plenty of space for isolation in this
sparsely populated area.
Pull your heads in.
It is getting very hard to find affordable parking for near the beach. I think this is a very good idea and would like to congratulate those concerned.