Alligator Creek camp grounds to reopen in response to public feedback
The popular Alligator Creek camp ground was closed due to decreasing numbers but now the government has had a change of heart. See the new plans here.
Townsville
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THE decision to permanently close the Alligator Creek camp grounds has been reversed in a surprise backflip by the Queensland Government in response to public backlash.
The $1.3m Alligator Creek visitor site redevelopment in Bowling Green Bay National Park, 30km south of Townsville, will now include a new camping area, worth an additional $400,000.
Featuring six to eight separate camping sites with capacity of up to six people per node, the new camping area was projected to open in late 2023, weather permitting.
The Department of Environment and Science (DES) scrapped the long term camp ground in March 2021 due to a decreasing number of campers, with the average annual camper nights between 2016 and 2020, totalling 2174.
They shifted focus to a $1.3 million redevelopment providing a dedicated day-visitor site with improved facilities including new tracks, picnic facilities, additional vehicle parking, seating, viewing decks and enhanced access to Alligator Creek, which was expected to be complete on October 28.
After speaking with locals who expressed a desire to camp at the popular destination, Mundingburra MP Les Walker said he had lobbied for a camping area included in the redevelopment.
“I know Alligator Creek was a popular area for camping and it’s important to have facilities like this close to Townsville for locals and visitors to take advantage of,” Mr Walker said.
“I’ve taken my children camping there and I know how important it is for families to experience our local environment and the great outdoors which is a great part of Queensland’s lifestyle.”
Mr Walker said the new camping area would be located near the Alligator Creek day use area, with enough separation to enhance the natural experience for campers.
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon acknowledged Mr Walker’s advocacy, and said the government had listened to his and the community’s concerns.
“The redevelopment will provide improved parking capacity to accommodate increasing visitor numbers, and disability access to support people with disabilities enjoying this unique location,” Ms Scanlon said.
Initially expected to be complete by July 2021, the DES blamed “heavy rainfall and flooding events and Covid impacts” for a 12 month delay to the day-visitor site redevelopment, saying it would open in late August.
Earlier this month the reopening was pushed back until October 28, prompting Burdekin MP Dale Last to unleash criticism, describing it as “nothing short of a slap in the face to locals and visitors who enjoy the facility”.
“If the state government was serious about completing this project not only for locals in the north but tourists, it would be pulling out all stops to get the job done,” Mr Last said
“This should have been a project that could have been a welcomed investment and instead we’ve seen a community frustrated by a lack of consultation and continuous delays.”
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Originally published as Alligator Creek camp grounds to reopen in response to public feedback
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