Council caravan park causing headache for Mudjimba residents

Upgrades to a multimillion-dollar beachside caravan park has caused a “nightmare” parking situation for locals. Now the council has a new plan which is already under fire.

Kerry Lindemann and Maria Bateup are among several frustrated Mudjimba residents.

The overflow of cars from upgrades to Sunshine Coast Council’s multimillion-dollar caravan park in Mudjimba has caused a “nightmare” parking situation for locals.

Now council plans to tackle the issue by introducing short stay 15-minute parking bays along one of the busiest streets in town – a plan that residents have said won’t help the situation.

Kerry Lindemann said since renovations to the caravan park were completed last year they had struggled to have family come visit his house on Cottonwood Street.

“It was really noticeable this last holidays,” he said.

“We can’t even get one park outside our house.”

He said the situation was made worse by people holidaying in the caravan park bringing multiple vehicles.

“But the caravan park can only take one car park,” he said.

Kerry Lindemann struggles to find a park outside his house.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said the Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park brought in $1.7m for the council and welcomed 19,184 visitors in 2022.

“The beachside destination recorded 2106 people stayed during the peak holiday season, 1 December 2022 to 13 January 2023,” the spokeswoman said.

She said the council’s decision to change the parking time limits on Cottonwood Street was a positive step towards addressing congestion.

“This change has been made in consultation with Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park who advised that there may be queues on Cottonwood Street due to people waiting to check in,” she said.

She said the parking limitations would be create a 15-minute parking zone between 9am and 2pm seven days a week, which would “encourage turnover and reduce the number of cars circling the precinct looking for a space”.

“This move will benefit residents and businesses in the area and improve traffic flow and air quality,” she said.

The Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park received a $1.5m upgrade to its amenities block, which was completed in time for the holidays in November 2022.

The old amenities building was removed to make way for green space.

It’s this space that resident Catherine Lindemann said should have been considered for parking.

“Maybe they could sacrifice some of their caravan park,” she said.

Maria Bateup, who lives next door to the park, said cars were driving dangerously on the road during the busy periods.

“On a weekend, it’s absolutely ridiculous. You just can’t park anywhere and it’s a nightmare,” she said.

Mudjimba resident Maria Bateup often sees people parking up her driveway.

Ms Bateup said people would often park her in on weekends, preventing her from leaving her property.

“They’ll park right up on the driveway,” she said.

“They have no consideration at all for people that live in the area.”

The council spokeswoman said new line markings on Cottonwood St were laid in December 2022 to more clearly define parking but no additional parks had been added to the facility.

“Each site within the park is allocated one car space in addition to their van/tent, which is common practice within the holiday park and the wider accommodation industry,” she said.

She said the surplus $1.7m the park had brought in for the council was used to upgrade their existing holiday parks, which also includes Dicky Beach, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Cotton Tree, Coolum, and put into broader services to the community.