The site of an old brickworks near the Murray River in Wodonga in Victoria could soon be transformed into a grey nomad friendly caravan park.
The owner of the Weatherall Masonry site on the Lincoln Causeway, Tom Weatherall, says he is looking to do something special with the block of prime land in order to attract caravanners and motorhomers.
“I don’t think an industrial site is in keeping with what Wodonga or Albury wants to do on this site,” he told the Border Mail newspaper. “The bottom line is we are going to do something and we would like to do something really nice with it.”
Concept plans for the caravan park have been presented to Wodonga Council and discussions are underway with the North-East Catchment Management Authority. Flood studies are also being carried out at the site, which the Border Mail says ‘has degenerated into an eyesore in recent years’.
“The existing caravan parks in town do a great job, but this is aimed specifically at lifestyle and experiencing the river,” said Mr Weatherall. “I’m looking for some encouragement and I’m certainly getting some encouragement from Wodonga Council.”
The land, which sits between St Ives pub and a fun park, once housed a tannery, before a brickworks was opened there in 1962.
“I think Albury-Wodonga really lacks something that is primarily tourist and addresses the river,” said Mr Weatherall. “I would argue establishing a precinct here which links into all the other things only enhances the tourist opportunities for this causeway area.”
Wodonga Council confirmed to the Border Mail that it was aware of the plan.
“Council officers have had informal discussions over time in regards to Gateway Island and to assist in the development of an idea of a caravan park at the location,” a council spokeswoman said. “There has not been a formal proposal put forward to the council and it is our understanding that the requirements of the catchment management authority would need to be met.”
Bring it on