Developer William Hu on controversial Woombah Woods Caravan Park development plans

A small North Coast community has rallied against tree felling caused by an ambitious caravan park development, but the developer has hit back at complaints.

The site of Woombah Woods Caravan Park as trees were brought down in 2020.

A property developer behind controversial plans to radically change Woombah Woods Caravan Park in the Clarence Valley has hit back at long-running community angst.

William Hu wants to expand and transform the caravan park at 54 Iluka Rd, Woombah, near

Maclean and Yamba, in three stages to make room for a manufactured home estate.

The first stage of the development would pave the way for 60 long-term sites, with 38 more in stage two and 17 in stage 3. Plans also include a community building.

If the development is completed, what was once a caravan park with 24 long-term cabins will be transformed into the housing estate with 115 sites.

Plans for the redevelopment of the caravan park.

A development application has attracted backlash since 2019 when Mr Hu purchased the park and cut down around 30 trees.

Now, Mr Hu has said he will not back down and will forge forward with plans.

“The community were never happy with anything,” he said.

“There’s just no way you can make them happy – they just don’t want change.”

Mr Hu described the proposed development as positive for the area and he said more affordable homes were needed.

Emma Mills, a neighbour of Woombah Woods Caravan Park, previously said she was devastated to learn of tree clearing at the site.

Mr Hu said he expected properties to be sold for less than $400,000.

“Where else in this area can you get a house like this for that sort of a price?” he said.

In 2020, Kerry Wilsmore of the Woombah Residents Association said the development was planned in “a community with no infrastructure” and residents were “deeply concerned” about environmental impacts.

The concerns were echoed by other residents, such as Emma Mills, who took a series of photos of trees being felled in the park.
The proposed development will remain on public exhibition until August 7.