IF OUR beachfront caravan parks go, there is a potential loss of over 60,000 overnight stays annually and tens of millions of dollars in tourism money, that our community simply cannot afford.

More than that, we lose a piece of our communities long held fabric.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council has recently voted to pause the $22 million redevelopment of the iconic Pialba and Torquay Caravan Parks, opting instead to initiate a community consultation process.

This process will explore new possibilities, including the option of repurposing this prime space for public use.

While the council has not explicitly stated that the parks will close, they have not ruled it out either.

It is crucial that the community be fully informed about the potential impact of this decision.

The recent motion tabled by Division 10 Councillor Zane O’Keefe, reflects a clear intent to reassess the use of the land for both Pialba and Torquay Caravan Parks, with the aim of unlocking it for broader community benefit.

The motion was heavily supported and seconded by Cr Lachlan Cosgrove imploring Council to ‘look very closely at unlocking land for our residents to use as premier recreation spots’, pointing out the ‘unimpeded ocean views at the caravan parks were only on offer to people staying there and were not comparable to other public spaces which were blocked by trees’.

Just a few months ago, in an impassioned address against approving the 19 storey Torquay Esplanade development, which would house the Sheraton Resort Cr Lachlan Cosgrove offered our reliance on tourism benefits and revenue, to voice his strong distain.

‘What is the product? I would say in a nutshell, pristine natural environment and eco-tourism is the primary flavour of what we have to offer here in Hervey Bay. The natural environment is indeed our most marketable feature,’ he claimed.

In what can only be interpreted as a pivot away from tourism attraction, Cosgrove took to social media after the caravan park motion broke, adding ‘the land at Torquay (where the caravan park currently sits) could have a better community use. I will be advocating for this position’.

Cr O’Keefe and Cr Cosgrove are at the spearhead of the motion to relook at the funding for Pialba and Torquay Caravan Parks and it is important to note that the motion was passed unanimously, if not enthusiastically, by most councillors.

Given the circumstances, the other councillors had no option than to support the motion of their colleagues or face questioning over their commitment to allow the community to have their say.
Most councillors have expressed reluctance at the prospect of any change.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council had already earmarked $22 million for the redevelopment of Pialba and Torquay Caravan Parks in their 10-year capital works program—a clear commitment to the community.

If economic circumstance now dictates a reassessment of that, the logical step would be to pause the projects and explore more cost-effective solutions on delivering an agreed outcome for the community, rather than opening a debate on entirely changing course and potentially closing the parks.

Councillor Chapman raised concerns about how he was ‘deeply disturbed by a business-led agenda’ aimed at closing the Torquay Caravan Park. It is fair to ask if there has been a level of lobbying from the corporate community.

It is vitally important to also understand that we have been down this track before.

In 2014, a working group was established on the Fraser Coast by the then LNP government, for the purposes of defining the Queensland Camping Options Toolkit.

The thirty-five-page report succinctly outlined many recommendations for the future, including a proposition to close one of the caravan parks.

A working group was established from of broad group of community and business people from across Fraser Coast and the overwhelming feedback from them, was to leave the parks alone.
All of them.

Last year, the Fraser Coast welcomed a record 986,000 visitors, generating $692.9 million in tourism revenue.

Domestic overnight stays also hit a record 891,000, with visitors spending an average of $199 per night in our very own community.
Between Pialba and Torquay Caravan Parks, there are over 300 sites that contribute significantly to this tourism success.

Occupancy for caravan, camping and cabin sites is currently at an all-time high of 71% regionally and 90% of nights spent caravan and camping is in regional Australia, according to the Federal Government’s Tourism Research Australia.

It unlikely there will be any further action taken on this motion until next year, however it is important to note that Council does not make decisions based on social media feedback.

That’s probably a good thing for those currently advocating for this motion to succeed, which I currently count as two. They would likely be re-evaluating their approach right now, given the already significant community backlash that has already emerged.

Instead, Council relies on the official community consultation process via their online Engagement Hub.

While this platform is a positive step toward fostering meaningful conversations, in my view, there is a clear need for better advertising to the community when situations such as this arise and Council is seeking residents to express their views in a formal way.

This was evident during the Hervey Bay Library and Admin Centre debate.

If the council is prepared to revisit a previously committed $22 million investment, they should be equally willing to invest in effectively informing the public—and a substantial advertising campaign should be allocated to properly advertise this consultation and gather feedback.

I firmly believe that the Torquay and Pialba Caravan Parks are an integral part of the very fabric of Hervey Bay.

While it’s true that beachfront caravan parks are disappearing nationwide, why should we let that happen here?

These parks add unique character to our town, underpinning the relaxed coastal lifestyle that we all cherish as the city rapidly grows around us.

They are not just iconic—they define a part of who we are. If these parks are closed, where will those tourists go?

We risk losing them forever, along with the vital tourism they bring. Caravanning has evolved—it’s no longer just for retirees; it’s a game for young families now.

We must nurture this growing trend because it’s deeply tied to our idyllic identity. Whatever the cost, we must protect these parks.

We’ve just struck a balance between old and new with the approval of the Sheraton project.

Now, it’s up to us, the residents, to decide the fate of these parks. Don’t let them disappear. The stakes for our community and local economy are simply too high.

We will keep you informed every step of the way on how you can have your say.