Alternative Options for Pialba and Torquay Caravan Parks?
It was with utter disbelief and dismay that, while watching our local news, I learned that at the recent Fraser Coast Council Meeting, a decision had been made to shelve the desperately needed upgrade of Pialba and Torquay Caravan Parks, while alternative options were being considered!
What on earth is happening in Hervey Bay? Who has taken over the minds of our local council? It is my belief, silly me, that these councils were elected by the community to listen to and improve the facilities of said community.
This is obviously not the case here in our beautiful Hervey Bay. Contrary to what our council would have us believe, the residents have virtually no say in how our part of the world is to be maintained and improved. Petitions against the building of the totally unnecessary Fraser Coast Regional Council offices and the travesty of the Sheraton Hotel are examples of this. Motions are voted on, passed and that is pretty much the end of it.
What now of our caravan parks? What is happening to the funds that have already been set aside for the upgrade of Pialba Beach Caravan Park? What about the plans that have already been submitted and passed, with renovations due to start on the northern end of the park in late January 2025?
This is a fact because, as well as being residents of Hervey Bay, we are regular visitors to the park, spending four or five days a month there. We were informed by the manager that we can only stay on the southern side until October of 2025 while the upgrade is in progress.
Now that Scarness Caravan Park has been completed, Pialba is next on the list, desperately in need of a facelift.
According to Councillor Denis Chapman, I quote, “A key focus for Council is to plan for the future, and effectively manage and maintain our assets, and these projects are an example of how we are working to achieve that for our community.”
So how does putting these upgrades on hold achieve this??
Does our Council have any idea how much our beloved beach caravan parks contribute to tourism in Hervey Bay? We have met fellow caravanners who have been coming here for over twenty years. Apart from being a wonderful, affordable way for families to enjoy a holiday, these same families return year after year, shopping at local shops, cafes and restaurants, whale watching, doing trips to Fraser Island, the list goes on, but most of all, many of us return to settle here because it is so unique.
Enough is enough! Come on fellow residents of the Bay, let our councillors know that we are not happy with the way they are making unilateral decisions, and then asking those who dissent to petition against them.
What a joke!
RV Traveller, Booral Resident
Pialba and Torquay Caravan Parks Refurbishment put on hold
Dear Sir, Councillor O'Keefe Division 10 and Councillor Crosgrove Division 6 seem to be pushing for the closing of the Pialba and Torquay Caravan Parks to open up more Parkland.
Point Vernon had a Council Caravan Park at Gataker's Bay and the Pines had Council Camping Ground which have both been turned into very large Parklands with Toilets, Shelters with BBQ'S, Playgrounds.
At Torquay there was a Neilsen's Camping Ground that has also been turned into a large Parkland with all the above amenities across from Madigan's Fish and Chip Shop. Urangan had Key's Camping Ground on the Esplanade and a Council Caravan Park at Dayman Point that have also been turned into large Parklands with all the amenities.
Besides these there are many other Parklands along the entire Esplanade that have beach access for Tourist and Locals.
Then you have all the other Parks and Playgrounds all over Hervey Bay in other areas. Why remove our last two Beachfront Caravan Parks that attract thousands of Tourist and family members of locals a year to enjoy a seaside holiday by the beach.
Tourism is Hervey Bay's main attraction and with Tourist come people spending money in many of the small businesses along the Esplanade, especially the small business across from the Torquay Caravan Park.
A company was engaged to do master plans for all four Caravan Parks by the Council as they were referred to as important assets by the Council. Funding for the staged redevelopment of the four Caravan Beachfront Parks has been allocated in the Council's 10-year Capital Works Program which was stated in their newsletter.
The Esplanade is the Tourist area, and our business area is in the back Streets like Boat Harbour Drive. Why can't the Council see that these Caravan Parks are so important to our Tourism industry and keep the charm of the Esplanade as a beachside holiday destination that attract thousands of tourists who come to stay in them.
Some of our Councillors have been on the Council for over 10 years including the mayor, so why wasn't money put aside each budget for these refurbishments that they knew would have to be done and they were going to be costly.
Leave the Caravan Parks alone and hopefully this Council will do the right thing by locals and tourist and refurbish these Caravan Parks.
Delma Taylor.
