An iconic caravan park in the heart of the grey nomad mecca of Broome in Western Australia is to be bulldozed and re-developed.
The Palm Grove Holiday Park, which is situated ‘within splashing distance’ of Cable Beach will be transformed into a resort and apartments in a multi-million dollar redevelopment.
The first $15 million phase of the three-stage project will see most or all of the sites’ 124 caravan and 21 camping spots removed.
In their place, 80 short-stay and 42 permanent residential apartments will be built around a big pool. The first phase will also include a restaurant, two bars, reception area, two retail tenancies, function room, day spa, gym and a second pool. The park’s tourist cabins and chalets will remain in the short term but will be removed if Stage Three of the project goes ahead.
The site’s developer, Broome Resort Developments, said the first stage of the 4.5-star resort development should be completed by about October 2013.
The developers will then either put the site on the market or seek approval to develop the final two stages. The total development of the 41,826sqm corner site, which is about 200 metres from Cable Beach, will cost up to $50 million.
According to the Palm Grove Holiday Park website, powered van sites currently cost $35 in the November-March ‘low’ season and $45 in the June-September ‘peak’ season.
There is no word yet on how much guests at the soon-to-built luxury resort will be charged for the privilege of staying there.
However, Keith Williams, senior town planner at surveying and consulting firm Whelans, which represents Broome Resort Developments, told the West Australian newspaper that the resort, which will incorporate historical architecture out of “respect for Broome’s style”, would target the luxury tourism market.
