Fraser Coast council backs caravan park upgrade after heated community debate

The Fraser Coast council has voted to upgrade its century-old Torquay Caravan Park despite four councillors still opting to go against the overwhelming will of the people. VIDEO, DETAILS.

“The largest community engagement process ever undertaken” by the Fraser Coast council has ended exactly where it started – with a plan to upgrade the Torquay Caravan Park.

The vote to push forward with the plans – which was put on pause thanks to a move by some councillors for a survey asking the people whether they wanted the upgrade, a new playground or open space – passed six councillors to four in Wednesday’s meeting.

In what was described as an “emotive” issue by councillors in their final remarks on Wednesday morning, six Fraser Coast councillors –

mayor George Seymour, Paul and Phil Truscott, Denis Chapman Michelle Byrne and Daniel Sanderson were in favour of the upgrade leaving councillors John Weiland, Lachlan Cosgrove, Michelle Govers and Zane O’Keefe against.

Deputy mayor Sara Faraj, whose fiance owns a caravan park, did not vote.

The controversial survey conducted earlier this year attracted the councils highest ever number of respondents with 76% in favour of “saving” the Torquay Caravan Park, but ultimately the decision came down to the councillors.

Holding placards outside the council’s Tavistock St chambers, members of the Save the Torquay Caravan Park movement celebrated after the meeting along with leader and former councillor Sue Brooks who described feeling “immense relief followed by sheer happiness”.

However, she said it was “sad to see that four of the councillors still voted against what the vast majority of the community had clearly stated, which was to save the caravan park”.

“We have 18 kilometres of seafront,” Ms Brooks said.

“There’s plenty of space for everybody.”

The Torquay Caravan Park was narrowly saved from being turned into parklands after councillors vote 6-4 to proceed with upgrades to the park.

Many believed the issue should never have gone as far as it did because of the longstanding success of caravan parks in the Hervey Bay region- the second largest international tourist destination in the state and prior engagement on the future of the caravan parks.

Premier David Crisafulli had also supported the Torquay Caravan Park.

“We owe it to the tourism operators and the 6,587 small business under this councils umbrella to retain the profitable Torquay Caravan Park,” the Premier said in a message.

The caravan parks along the Esplanade in Hervey Bay were described as being part of the fabric of the town in Wednesday’s council meeting, with the Torquay Caravan Park existing since the 1920s.

“I think they are part of the future of our region and in 50 years’ time they will still be there I hope,” Mr Sanderson said.

Councillors who voted against the caravan parks refurbishment had escalated the matter as they proposed that the area became parkland.

Among them was Mr Weiland who noted that research showed parkland was more attractive to younger demographics by providing “premium beach space”.

Fellow opponent, Mr Cosgrove, also pointed out that according to the survey, “respondents aged 15 to 44 preferred the combined parkland options”.

Supporters and members of ‘Save the Torquay Caravan Park’ movement celebrated outside the council building on Wednesday morning after the decision had been made.

As councillors against the issue spoke public spectators could be heard disagreeing with and taunting them.

“I look forward to putting this chapter behind us,” Councillor Paul Truscott, who voted in favour of upgrading the caravan park, said.

Ms Byrne was for the upgrade but did say “It’s never okay for anyone to be bullied, verbally berated and physically attacked for doing their job,” referencing the behaviour of a “minority” of caravan park supporters and claims one council worker had been spat on during the heated exchanges over the last eight months.

In a statement released late Wednesday morning, the council said its decision came after a four-week consultation period that received 4385 completed survey responses, along with thousands of written comments and two petitions totalling more than 12,000 signatures.

Mayor George Seymour said, “the strong level of participation reflected how important the Torquay foreshore is to people across the Fraser Coast and beyond”.

“The Torquay foreshore is a much-loved place, and the community showed that clearly through the high level of engagement,” he said.

“Council has carefully considered the feedback and balanced this with the long-term needs of the foreshore and the community in reaching today’s decision to proceed with upgrading the Torquay Caravan Park.”

“The consultation asked the community to consider three options for the future of the site – upgrading the existing caravan park, creating a new open-space parkland, developing a larger park and playground with recreation and event facilities”.

Mr Seymour said the council would now progress the “detailed design and planning” for the upgrade.

“The project is included in council’s 10-year capital works program, with funding currently allocated across 2029/30 and 2030/31,” the statement read.

“Upgrading the park will replace ageing infrastructure with modern facilities and a layout that better suits the larger caravans and RVs people use now.”

Originally published as Fraser Coast council backs caravan park upgrade after heated community debate