A council-owned caravan park in Far North Queensland will now not be put up for sale following local outrage at the plan.
Officers at the Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) had recommended councillors vote to put Malanda Falls Caravan Park on freehold title so it could be offered for sale.
However, hundreds of people wrote emails and sent messages to councillors objecting to the proposal … and at yesterday’s council meeting they rejected the idea.
The ABC reports that the land was gifted to the council by dairy farmer and publican James English in the 1950s under the proviso it would be used as a caravan park. The broadcaster said James English’s great grandson Greg English, president of the Malanda Show Society, was part of the campaign to prevent the park’s sale.
The council is confident that a redeveloped caravan park will bring in more visitors. PIC: Cizza
“We absolutely did feel listened to,” he said after yesterday’s council vote. “For some people it is very difficult to understand but the Malanda Falls Caravan Park, because of its situation, where it is, it is a big part of town … everyone that has stayed there.”
Councillor Dave Bilney, who represented the Malanda district, told the ABC he had personally responded to more than 230 emails, texts and phone calls in 48 hours.
“To me, this clearly shows the genuine angst within, not only our community, but also outside our Tablelands region,” he said.
The ABC reports that Cr Bilney proposed the council seek expressions of interest from potential operators willing to take on a lease of up to 30 years.
“This would incentivise a potential operator to invest in the park over a term that could present an acceptable financial return to them,” he said. “The data presented in recent financial workshops reveal that council-owned parks have returned to a profitable position and this recommendation should be carefully considered.”
The motion was backed by councillors, and the council now appears set to invite an external agent specialising in caravan parks to facilitate the process.
Malanda, about 80 kilometres from Cairns, has a population of less than 2,000 people and is best known for its namesake waterfall.
Fantastic news, we have stayed here on our trips from UK. Oversea tourist $ here we come again. Just love the true grit of ordinary Aussies! And councils prepared to see the bigger picture rather than a $ picture
We did not hear about this till now and are very happy the wishes of Mr English will continue to be honoured. We have stayed a few times on our trips north and love the park with the space , the beautiful rainforest walk across the road, the friendly town of Malanda just a short walk away. We look forward to seeing what’s next when we stay again.
How dishonest and disheartening of Malinda council to even contemplate putting land that was gifted for the use of the public albeit paying ones up for sale.