A proposal for a new caravan park is causing quite a stir in the central Queensland town of Calliope … and causing some to question what its potential development might mean for free camping in the area.
The free camping sites near Calliope River are popular with grey nomads, especially during the winter months as they head north to warmer climes. The town is strategically located 20 kilometres from Gladstone near the ‘cross-roads’ of the Bruce Highway and the Dawson Highway.
East Stowe Parks (WA) says that is exactly why it has applied to build a 431-site caravan park there.
Town planner Sunill Govind, who is handling the development application on behalf of East Stowe Parks, told the Gladstone Observer newspaper that the popularity of the historical village at Calliope made this particular site ideal for a new tourist van park.
“Along the Bruce Highway there is big demand for short-term accommodation from this time of year to September,” Mr Govind said. “We want to give those people a reason and place to stay for a few days and visit Gladstone city, see the historical village. With the mining downturn we have to think of other reasons for people to visit.”
However, Brad Henderson is one of about 30 residents who have formally objected to the development plan.
Mr Henderson is afraid a new caravan park would see the existing free camping grounds closed, or people just travelling on until they found one.
“I really don’t think there will be enough tourists coming through to support another caravan park, especially with the free camping down by the river,” he told the Observer. “People will just keep going to the next free camping site and not stop here at all.”
Mr Henderson is also concerned a new caravan park would take away his peaceful rural lifestyle.
The re-submitted caravan park plan has been downsized from about 600 sites from when it was first proposed in 2011.
The revised project has gone out to public consultation. Submissions close on June 14.
* Do you think a new caravan park at Calliope would automatically mean the closure of free camping spots? Would you like to see this van park built? Comment below.
My view is that there is a huge chance that the free camping in the area will be closed to all concerned. We have use the free camp site on a few occasions and therefore spent $$$$ in both Calliope and Gladstone.
On the other side of the penny, I am sure that the proposed park would have heaps of cabins thus affecting the motels in the area.
Will watch with interest.
Jay&Dee
Please don’t let this happen. We have stayed at Calliope many times it is a beautiful place and the tourists always spend money in the area. It will possibly be a great loss to the community. Pam
Stevo here, yes we to stay at that spot at Calliope every time we travel north, and yes definitely a lovely spot. Mind you way way back we used to head into Gladstone and spend our money at caravan parks and shops etc, then the mining boom came and we were told that they didn’t want or need us grey nomads as they had all there sites taken care of at $65 a night. I said at the time they said oh yeh. Well now they want to build another park to be empty.You know why well you had your chance, leave it a free camp or I for one wont stop at all. Stevo.
Every traveller we have spoken to since ‘the mining boom’ took over the Gladstone a few years ago has a story of how poorly they were treated by the existing RV parks when looking for paid accommodation. What makes the Gladstone heirarchy think that by taking away the Callope River freedom-of-choice park and replacing it with another caravan park the tourism situation and feelings of the travelling community will automatically improve. We will stay at the freedom-of-choice camp site at Benaraby if we are in the area if the Callope site closes and we most certainly will not patronise any caravan park in the Gladstone region – new or old!
I have stayed at this site many time, if they put in a caravan park we will simply bypass the area.
There are 8 caravan parks close by. why make more? I went to one and was interested in staying over a month but at $39 per night that is not going to happen. I do not want to stay at the free camp either. The town of Gladstone should open up the showgrounds again. We have a big van. come on Gladstone council – if the showgrounds were to open the town would benefit. if a caravan park were built at the calliope historical village people will just drive on to the next town.
We have stayed a few times at Calliope and its a lovely place but cold in winter and very busy. A cheap caravan park in Calliope would probably do okay for the travelers who want power for a few night and for when the free park is too busy. One of the toilets in the free park is usually closed due to overuse in winter and not all of us have toilets in our vans. The caravan parks in Gladstone used to be full.
it is lovely place.and few days ago i stayed in few times with my some best friends.it was amazing moment for me .a new caravan park would see the existing free camping grounds closed, or people just travelling on until they found one. i think is it will not good decision
There will be a massive bypassing by Grey Nomads.
There are not enough good free camps in the lower areas of Qld as it is.
it will ruin the town as grey nomads love it at the free camp but would not pay hugh fees which a NEW park would want we have stayed there 4 times for a few days and spent lots in the town this trip we had 2 nights in a park at $41 a night for no power dry and dusty too
Brain dead is what comes to mind. These proponents apparantly don’t travel in caravans or any thing else. It’s all about sucking money from grey nomads. Read the head lines now “Calliope dies as nomads seek new free camp site”.
What a shame if the proposed new caravan park was to be passed by Council. We have seen this happen so often where there is a fantastic free camping location and because of it’s popularity the surrounding c/parks then complain to councils and the flow on from this is barring ALL free camping within a large radius of the parks. This then requires council to then legislate, regulate by laws and then enforce them, this comes at a price and that price is the loss of such a fantastic and raw camping location. We have camped at the Calliope river and I still remember it well and we would love to return and experience it again in the future. Poor old Slim would turn in his grave as he even had a song about the Calliope, I believe that every one should have a stay at the Calliope River because it is a memory for life. If this comment is ever read by a Councillor in that region PLEASE consider seriously and take into consideration the income that is generated into the community by the campers and not into the pockets of a major caravan park conglomerate
We have stayed many times at Calliope and enjoyed the area. Also have spent many dollars in the region but like many would bypass the area if it was a caravan park. Freedom of choice is is being overttaken by greed by those who see a chance to make a dollar out of us nomads. When I need a caravan park I will make the choice. Many towns in Australia welcome free camper areas because they know it brings money to the area, all the buisnesses not just a few!
Why was the area on the far side of the river closed from Wednesday