Council approves Freshwater Point caravan park

It was an emotional affair in council chambers as a lone resident stuck up for his community, saying it is ‘totally in opposition’ to a proposed tourism park.

The Mackay mayor has sided with residents of a small seaside community saying he “simply cannot support” a proposed new caravan park.

Mayor Greg Williamson’s dissent was echoed by three other councillors after Freshwater Point resident Rod Den Elzen pleaded with council to “list(en) to the locals” at the ordinary meeting on Wednesday.

Mr Den Elzen said he was “totally in opposition” to landowners Michael and Lirelda Lynch building a tourism park that would cater for up to seven recreational vehicles along Miran Khan Drive, located just metres from the beach.

“Just over a year ago, my wife and I bought a block of land down at Freshwater Point there, which we decided to buy as our retirement place,” Mr Den Elzen told the councillors.

Freshwater Point resident Rod Den Elzen spoke to councillors at the ordinary meeting on Wednesday, September 14, to voice his opposition to the proposed RV park. Picture: Heidi Petith

“We thought, ‘you beauty’, we’ve got a beautiful bit of paradise.”

Mr Den Elzen said they were dismayed to discover tourism plans for the residential-rural zoned block but he and the community were prepared to take further steps should the project be approved.

A dozen residents made proper submissions to council against the development, along with the petition. The project scope was subsequently reduced from 20 RV sites down to seven.

The Lynch’s responded to concerns saying guests and campers would be generally “families and grey nomads that enjoy the outdoors and have a healthy respect” for the environment.

They further state the development would diversify the regional economy, strengthen the character and lifestyle of Freshwater Point, and create a sustainable tourism industry that celebrated the region’s assets.

Councillor Justin Englert said while he felt for the Freshwater Point residents, he must support the development as he was bound to the Mackay Region Planning Scheme.

“It’s my understanding that under the current application that if we rejected it, the owner would have grounds to take us to court,” Cr Englert said.

“If I was to just work on empathy alone, it would be easy to try and knock this back, but unfortunately I don’t have that luxury.”

Mackay Councillor Justin Englert explained to a Freshwater Point resident why he must vote to support the proposed tourism development. Picture: Heidi Petith

Deputy Mayor Karen May said she was also “very torn” with particular concerns that the application did not require a person on site to manage the park.

“I sympathise with the residents,” Cr May said.

“I hear their concerns but purely from a planning perspective, it meets all the requirements.”

Cr Belinda Hassan said while the caravan park would have to meet strict conditions, the extent of the negative feedback from the tight knit community compelled her to vote against the development.

“I’m just not confident of the benefits to the community,” Cr Hassan said.

Cr Williamson said in this instance, the planning scheme had gotten it wrong in his view, regardless of whether the project was financially viable.

“”I apologise to our staff that are bound by our planning scheme, but I simply can’t support this motion,” he said.

The motion was carried five votes to four.

As part of the approval conditions, the park must only permit self-contained recreational vehicles, limit stays to three consecutive nights, limit vehicle access to one entry/exit, and construct a new access point off Miran Khan Dr.

Voting against the motion were Cr Williamson, Cr Hassan, Cr Fran Mann and Cr Michelle Green.

Voting in support were Cr Englert, Cr May, Cr Townsend, Cr Laurence Bonaventura, Cr Russell Seymour and Cr Alison Jones.

Cr Martin Bella was absent from the meeting.