Plans for a multi-million dollar caravan park on the outskirts of Torquay in Victoria have been rejected.
Councillors in the Surf Coast Shire voted 8-1 to refuse a permit to build the van park, after t received 173 objections.
The $8.5 million development would have featured 42 cabins, six ‘glamping’ tents, 61 caravan and camping sites, a playground, cinema space, swimming pool, gym, BMX tracks, bowls and tennis courts and a cafe and general store.
Back in 2015, the council rejected of a $105m proposal to build a 500-cabin park on the same site
The planning application had claimed there was a desperate need for more ‘reasonably priced tourist accommodation on Victoria’s west coast, particularly in Torquay’.
“All available land within the defined settlement boundary of Torquay that could potentially accommodate a larger scale tourist facility has either been converted to residential or commercial use or earmarked to accommodate future urban development, reflecting the highest and best use of urban zoned land,” the application documents said.
Graeme Jacobs, from the applicant AREP Partners, said the park would be a major drawcard for tourists from around Australia.
However, while councillors agreed there was a need for affordable accommodation in the region, the majority said the importance of protecting the surrounding green break made it ‘difficult’ to approve the project.
The site is now set to be used to store caravans and boats after council unanimously voted to support a separate application for the facility at the location.
Just because investment business has $8m to throw at a caravan and holiday park, doesn’t make it a profitable opportunity. It sure doesn’t mean that every caravan and holiday maker will want to go and stay there. Yes, it is in a beautiful part of the world, and a quick search on Wikicamps, tells you that there is not enough caravan parks along any of that region. Start with $2m – keep the prices family friendly, and they will come!!