The local council is poised to buy a ‘run-down’ caravan park in the Victorian city of Shepparton but insists the site will continue to offer RV accommodation to tourists.
While Greater Shepparton City councillors overwhelmingly believe Victoria Lake Holiday Park should continue to offer caravan facilities, Mayor Kim O’Keeffe said it would also depend on the wishes of any developer who came in to lease the site.
Cr O’Keeffe said she wanted to see ‘a shining lovely space’ with an updated caravan park.
‘‘It will depend on the investor coming in and what type of opportunity they see in the space,’’ she said.
Whatever it becomes, the consensus is that a caravan park element should stay in the mix at a newly developed accommodation precinct next to the new Shepparton Art Museum precinct.
The Shepparton News reports that the council gave the green light to push ahead with buying the caravan park site at a council meeting last week.
Cr Les Oroszvary described it as a ‘critical’ piece of real estate and infrastructure.
He stressed a blend of different options for the precinct remained ideal in a ‘perfect world’, catering for RV tourism and short-term luxury accommodation.
The Shepparton News reports that Cr Bruce Giovanetti also saw the possibility of cabin accommodation and hoped caravan facilities would remain available to visitors at the site, but said facilities needed to be upgraded and amenity improved.
Cr Dennis Patterson said the site was vital in ensuring people who visited Shepparton stayed the night in Shepparton.
He expressed interest in it staying as a recreational park, citing the value of its premier lakeside location.
‘‘I don’t want to see a big shining building with flashing lights,’’ he said.
The Shepparton News says the hope is to secure a developer to enter a long-term lease and develop the ‘run-down’ site into four-star quality accommodation.
Reported in Shepparton News, March 2018. Council have leased this park for 12 months for $337,000. So they want to buy the park, the Council, for $600,000 and lease it in its run down state, their assessment, for $337,000 per annum. For the park to turn a profit and spend the money council admits needs spending the park would need to turn over over $1,000,000. Anybody looking for a business?
They should also have percent sites for the elderly to live in
They really need it as pensioners who have to pay private housing don’t stand a chance
In 1973 the lakeside caravan park and lake was a lovely area. It was family friendly and well kept. The park was run by Jack and he kept it spotless. 3years ago my husband visited and was shocked at the look of the area and town. Our memories did not match the new reality.
I have been to shepparton a few times and if the council had it at cheaper rates for staying there and work in with the secondary schools on some yr 11/ 12 students and unemployed of the area to do the cleaning cabin services also in the reception area as well as the gardens and lawns they do it voluntary and that may be helpful to them on their resumes.