While grey nomads in self-contained rigs have still been able to stay at the Scarness Caravan Park during the re-development of the site in Hervey Bay on Queensland’s Fraser Coast, concerns are being raised about when it will become fully functional again.
It’s been two years since the well-located park closed and – although a section has been available to independent RV travellers at a discounted rate because there’s no power or water – a sod has yet to be turned on its new fittings and buildings.
All the previous above-ground facilities have been demolished, and the underground infrastructure has been removed, but there are no signs of significant progress on the long-promised upgraded park.
The Fraser Coast Chronicle reports that the recent council meeting heard there were serious concerns about the seemingly stagnant project.
Fraser Coast Councillor David Lee called for a progress report on the redevelopment which he said needed to be ‘prioritised as a matter of urgency’.
He said he was ‘very concerned about the number local businesses that are already doing it hard with Covid and they look across the road at a vacant site’.
The owners of Scarness Foodworks, David and Angela Baker, said takings were down roughly 40-60% over Christmas and they were disheartened nothing will have changed in time for the Easter break.
The couple said families didn’t currently stay at the park because they needed power, and the supermarket relied on regular caravan park shoppers and parents who sent their children over to buy an ice cream.
“We sit here and look at it every day and here’s this beautiful, big green site – empty,” Ms Baker told the Fraser Coast Chronicle. “It’s very depressing to look at … get the new park fully operational … fully operational is what we need”.
Councillor Lee, who wants to see a sod turned ‘this year’, said he had put forward the motion for a progress report as the redevelopment had taken ‘far, far too long’ and these delays were causing the council ‘reputational damage’.
The current plan is for the park to be fully opened by some time next although the council’s websites warns:
“This is dependent upon various factors including the market’s ability to respond and the availability of materials, and any other unforeseen circumstances such as a severe weather event.”
Councillors voted unanimously to support the call for a progress report which will be tabled at the March meeting.
Haven’t stayed at the discounted price as I want power & water.But when Hervey Bay is full we move on to other towns that actually want our business.
Yes we have for 6weeks.the caretakers are very lovely also work hard to have it looking nice.prices are very good but will become sky high probably when its fixed.hervey bay parks are pricing themselves out.we enjoyed while we could.now on the road for good.
I fear it will close completely and become park land and another coastal van park will disappear. After staying 2 nights last year I was sent a survey and a proposed layout with comments. Went again at Xmas and was very disappointed that nothing had happened and the caretakers couldn’t tell you anything. Why hasn’t the council given a clear response is it going ahead or not instead of a report. If councilors don’t know what’s going on then who does
So here we have a local shop owner saying how much his turnover has dropped now that the park is closed
just goes to show what happens when overnight stopping in towns are closed down as well the local misses out