Masterplan for beachfront caravan parks approved in Fraser Coast council meeting

The transformation of the Fraser Coast’s council-owned beachfront caravan parks has been given the green light but not without concerns being flagged about the design of a potential two-storey building at one and the amount of car parks at another. SEE THE PLANS.

Adriana MagerosReporter

2 min read

May 4, 2022 - 4:59PM

Fraser Coast

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The council has given the green light to plans which will transform its beachfront caravan parks.

At a recent meeting a motion put before council was to adopt the master plan designs submitted by SGL Consultants Pty Ltd for the Pialba and Torquay Beachfront Tourist Parks to guide the renewal of the parks.

It was also to approve the implementation of the master plans in accordance with funding allocated within the 10 Year Capital Works program, along with recommending the implementation of dog friendly areas within the Pialba and Burrum Heads Parks.

During Wednesday’s council meeting, Councillor Zane O’Keefe expressed concerns about the proposed two-storey caretaker’s accommodation and office, describing it as “guard towers”.

He voiced concerns the building would detract aesthetically from the rest of the surrounding neighbourhood.

“I’m very concerned with the idea that we will have three, what I can only describe as guard towers, on the Esplanade when we currently have no two storey buildings on that foreshore ground,” Mr O’Keefe said.

Councillor Zane O’Keefe, Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Another concern Mr O’Keefe raised was whether or not the two storey building would block access to persons with disabilities and their family members from potentially becoming caretakers at the renewed caravan park.

In the end, councillors voted to adopt the master plan with a view to look at the finer details when a detailed design plan is available.

Councillor Denis Chapman also raised concerns about the amount of car parks proposed in the Burrum Heads caravan park redevelopment.

“It’s about building a caravan park … not a car park,” Mr Chapman said.

The resolution was that Council undertakes further consultation with the Burrum Heads community on the concept plans before determining its preferred position on the ultimate design for the Burrum Heads Caravan Park.

This included community consultation to consider whether car parking bays should be included in the plan.

The vote was carried unanimously by councillors.

Supplied Editorial FC161121JadeWellings 1

Councillor Jade Wellings said in a statement Fraser Coast Regional Council engaged SGL Consultants to prepare master plans for the four beachfront tourist parks at Burrum Heads, Scarness, Torquay and Pialba to ensure the parks were commercially viable, and met current standards and visitor expectations.

“The existing infrastructure in the parks is aging and needs replacing and the parks need upgrading to suit modern vans, especially RVs,” she said.

“The plans for the Pialba and Torquay parks, which were adopted at the April Council meeting, focus on improving the safety and comfort of guests, changing the layout and site sizes while also improving access from the Esplanade.”

Cr Wellings said the plans were adopted following feedback from residents, businesses and park users.

“An online survey was conducted, and we received 906 submissions of which key elements for change included larger sites and upgrading park amenities,” she said.

According to the statement, the master planning project has moved to the next phase and detailed civil and building designs are currently being prepared.

It is anticipated that the Pialba and Torquay redevelopment projects will be completed by late 2025.

The project will be delivered in multiple successive stages to ensure that the parks can remain open in sections as work progresses.

Here’s what the designs in the Pialba and Torquay master plans look like:

Torquay