Despite one last throw of the ‘save Mooloolaba Caravan Park’ dice, the death knell has sounded for the iconic holiday destination.
Sunshine Coast councillors have voted 7-4 to close the park in favour of a new master plan was which will  to deliver 40% more public space, a water park, tidal rock pool, extended pathways and better parking.
A last-minute motion from Councillor Greg Rogerson to have the van park heritage listed was roundly defeated, and even a 3500-strong petition supporting the retention of the park was enough to persuade councillors to keep it open.
The Mooloolaba Caravan Park will soon join a growing list of Australian beachside caravan parks that love on only in the memories of the many holidaymakers who have enjoyed stays with them.
But councillors ultimately said they reluctantly had to choose progress over the past.
However, Lee Nelson, who has managed the park for the past five years was bitterly disappointed the park would now close next year.
“They were earning money from the park and it’s going to start costing them now,” he told the Sunshine Coast Daily. “Even a lot of the local residents didn’t want it to go. Local businesses didn’t want it to go.”
Comment below.
Is any of this parkland going to be sold to private operators? ie. to be turned into a commercial development? If so, if I were a (voting) ratepayer there I’d be most upset.
Well then, we’ll just have to take Mooloolaba off our travel list and spread the word to fellow travelers .
They took away some of the other caravan park and turned it into a park and no one uses that. This is just disgusting will miss going there
More tunnel vision from councilors. Tourist dollars have to fall if they remove places to stay. Day trippers won’t maintain a long term cash flow for local businesses. By the time they learn this it will all be too late for the RV community and local business.
Absolutely devastated our favourite camping spot is closing. Mooloolaba has always been the place we go to unwind and relax, so guess we have to go somewhere else now. Devastated!
Thankyou Councilor Greg for going into battle for us. This is sad news indeed.
So, 40% more public space eh? What is going to happen to the remaining 60%. Methinks there will be a lot of new highrise apartments. All councils see are the dollars from developers. Very shortsighted I think.
are both areas of the caravan park closing, e.g. what about the one near the Surf Club????