Redevelopment of Pialba Caravan Park to continue, Torquay park undecided

The debate became heated during a council motion over the future of two Hervey Bay caravan parks, with the mayor forced to intervene twice.

Torquay Caravan Park.

Heated debate over the future of Torquay Caravan Park has turned personal during a motion before the Fraser Coast Regional Council at its meeting on Wednesday.

Ultimately the council voted to resume its redevelopment of Pialba Caravan Park, while the future of the Torquay park remains unclear and will be considered again after community consultation.

Work was paused on the $22m worth of revamps at the Pialba and Torquay caravan parks in October in favour of a consultation process where councillors and the community were asked to look at new possibilities.

The council will now develop concept plans at a cost of up to $50,000 for the Torquay site before seeking community feedback on its future.

On Wednesday, ahead of the vote, an alternative motion was put forward by Fraser Coast councillor Paul Truscott, suggesting the council forego further community consultation on the issue, citing the overwhelming public support for keeping both the Pialba and Torquay caravan parks open.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council in 2025, led by Mayor George Seymour.

During the debate, remarks from two of the councillors opposed to Mr Truscott’s motion became personal, with councillor Zane O’Keefe and councillor Lachlan Cosgrove both warned by Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour in regard to their remarks.

Mr O’Keefe labelled the alternative proposal “outrageous”, saying it proposed to spend $22m dollars of ratepayers money redeveloping the parks without community consultation.

“Councillor Paul Truscott’s motion accommodates for the wants of caravanners at the expense of residents, community groups and businesses who are being crowded out of the Hervey Bay Esplanade due to a lack of space,” he said during the meeting.

Mr O’Keefe then launched an extraordinary attack on Mr Truscott.

“Councillor Paul Truscott’s suggestion that staff go out and resurvey the Esplanade to find alternate park land to develop demonstrates the level of understanding that he has on this subject,” Mr O’Keefe said.

It was then that Mr Seymour interjected, urging Mr O’Keefe to keep his remarks directed at the motion rather than the person, adding “it doesn't benefit your cause”.

Pialba Caravan Park.

Mr Cosgrove also directed remarks towards Mr Truscott, again forcing the mayor to intervene.

“Make no mistake, this is cutting the community out, masquerading as fiscal responsibility,” he said.

“If councillor Truscott was really concerned with the estimated cost of a consultant, he could have just moved a motion to go to community consultation without a consultant doing any work, simple.

“But he wants to shut down the conversation and control the outcome.”

Mr Seymour again interjected, saying it was best practice not to “refer to each other in a negative manner”.

Mr Cosgrove repeatedly brought up the average age of most tourists staying in caravan parks, calling the parks a “recruitment strategy” for older people visiting the region.

Mr Truscott said he had supported the motion in October with “great hesitation”.

“The only thing that got me across the line back then was the inclusion of community consultation — otherwise, I would have opposed it.

“However, that hesitation has now come back to bite me.

“I feel by this report that it is heading in the wrong direction and I should have listened to my gut back then, because now, I believe I’ve heard the community loud and clear: get on with it.

Pialba Caravan Park.

“The message I’m hearing is simple – don’t shut the Torquay Caravan Park down.

“The community has made that clear to me, in almost every single conversation it’s come up in, and it’s our job to listen and show leadership and direction.”

While the options open to the public will include continuing the Torquay caravan site, much of what was spoken about by those opposed to Mr Truscott’s alternative motion questioned the economic benefits provided by the park and pressed the need for more space for other purposes on the Esplanade.

During his response, Mr Truscott commented on his disappointment with the “unbecoming” language of the remarks made by Mr Cosgrove and Mr O’Keefe.

Mr Cosgrove later apologised for causing any offence.

Mr Truscott’s motion was voted down 4-6, with councillor Sara Faraj excusing herself from the vote due to a conflict of interest.

The original motion then passed 7-3.

Mr O’Keefe said the council-owned beachfront caravan parks have been operating for decades and need upgrades to meet modern standards and visitor expectations.

“The Scarness Caravan Park redevelopment was completed last year, and the first stage of improvements at Burrum Heads finished earlier this year, with work now underway on the next stage,” he said.

“The Pialba Caravan Park also has ageing infrastructure that needs urgent upgrades. After reviewing cost-saving options, it was clear major reductions weren’t possible without lowering the quality of the park. That’s why we’re moving forward with the redevelopment using the current design.”

Mr O’Keefe has maintained the community was “desperately seeking green space” but a Chronicle poll revealed the majority of responders did not want the caravan parks closed.

Mr Cosgrove also commented on the future of the parks in a council press release.

“We are looking at two alternative options for Torquay – an open space with basic facilities or a premium playground and recreational hub,” Mr Cosgrove said.

“We’ll be asking the community for their thoughts before making a final decision on whether to go ahead with one of these options, a hybrid option containing some elements of both, or continue with the Torquay Caravan Park redevelopment.

“While the infrastructure at Torquay will eventually need upgrades, it is in better condition than Pialba, meaning there is less urgency to act immediately.”

Originally published as Redevelopment of Pialba Caravan Park to continue, Torquay park undecided