Hervey Bay residents react to potential closure of Torquay Caravan Park

Hervey Bay residents and tourists alike have taken to social media to vent their frustrations over the potential closure of the Torquay Caravan Park. WHAT YOU SAID

Residents and business owners have banded together to save the Torquay Caravan Park, with many using social media as a way to voice their support for the iconic Hervey Bay attraction.

Residents and business owners of Torquay are not about the lose their local caravan park without a fight.

The community has banded together to help save the Torquay Caravan Park, with many using social media to voice their support for the iconic attraction.

Last week, the Torquay Progress Association met to launch concerted plans to save the park, which could possibly be shut down by the council to make way for public space.

A fighting fund was part of those plans, as well as providing residents with greater access to petitions through banner-making and social media campaigns.

Council plans, which have not yet advanced to the community consultation phase, have three options for the Torquay Caravan Park: keep it as is, use the site for more basic facilities, or construct a premium playground and recreational area.

Businessman Troy Ignatenko said it was “very unfair” the council was the only group deciding the future of the park, given the amount of rent businesses had to pay for their shopfronts.

Businessman Troy Ignatenko says it is unfair that the council got to decide the fate of the caravan park.

A report and social media post on that meeting drew 260 comments from residents and visitors, praising the association for raising awareness of the situation and taking a stand.

An almost unanimous comment section declared their support for the small businesses and residents of the area, praising the association for standing up for an iconic piece of Hervey Bay.

“Leave the bloody caravan park alone”, “the Torquay Caravan Park needs to stay”, and “the park is part of the Bay” were just some examples of what people said.

Some questioned the council’s motives for bringing forth a discussion on the park’s future, with many saying other goals in property development could be at play.

Other themes that arose in the reaction included how the caravan parks offered affordable accommodation, how good they were for business, and how they represented a time gone by that should not be allowed to slip away.

Only a few people supported the removal of the caravan park, and said creating a more public space would let everyone enjoy the area, and others questioning why it should only be caravan owners that have beachfront accommodation.

Gwenda Stewart Connell said “Families and couples of all ages need affordable holidays on the beach front too, not just the rich”, while Laura Szkoruda agreed, saying “Surely along the kilometres of space on the Esplanade there can be both: Caravan parks for affordable family holidays & green recreation space”.

Torquay Caravan Park.

Sue and Bill Nickalls also touched on the importance of cheap holiday places, saying “Not everyone can afford to stay in luxury accommodation”.

The revenue businesses expect to lose was not lost on most commenters, with Mark Armstrong saying “Keep the Torquay Caravan Park. Visitors from this park spend money throughout the Fraser Coast supporting businesses who employ locals”.

Cecily Trevillion added to the argument, saying the park was “good for business, great for families”, before Fay Stafford urged the council to “keep the caravan park as it brings in money for council as well as all the businesses in the Bay”.

The Torquay Caravan Park

Some comments came from those experiencing a sense of nostalgia from the argument, reminiscing on days gone past or cherished holidays with their family at the park.

Donna Bozina said “My grandfather who would be 140 years old now fought hard to keep the space between the road and ocean for everyone and planted trees for shade!!”

Bobbi-Lee Mapp gave suggestions for where funding could be used in the park as she remembered her childhood, saying “The Torquay caravan park has been our holiday destination since I was a child. Now I take my children there”.

“All they would need to do is upgrade the toilet/shower block and add another camp kitchen,” she said.

“The park itself is fantastic, great location and safe for kids to play. Please don’t change it or out price it.”

Garth Skyes commented on how the town needed to continue being the holiday destination it was more than 60 years ago.

“Hervey Bay from Pt Vernon to Urangan has always been a wonderful relaxing beachside holiday playground ever since I was kid 65 yrs ago,” he said.

“Fortunately, it has been left as is so far with plenty of room for everyone, caravan parks and all.”

The Torquay Progress Association plans to continue meeting to keep awareness on the issue.

Originally published as Hervey Bay residents react to potential closure of Torquay Caravan Park