Picture: J.L. “FRED” SMITH
WATTLE Range Council is looking to close its Southend Caravan Park when the current five-year lease with a private operator expires in August of next year.
Further investigations are to be made for ongoing public use of the bush camping area and other available land at Southend.
A consultant’s report about both accommodation facilities was tabled at the May monthly council meeting.
The Southend caravan park is on Crown Land under the care and control of council.
Under the terms of lease, the private operator is responsible for all aspects of the park’s operation and maintenance.
Councillor Dale Price said it was time to close the caravan park due to such factors as the quality of facilities and coastal erosion.
Cr Price said there were two other caravan parks only 14km away at Beachport.
“The Southend caravan park is an unneeded responsibility of council and it is time to call it quits,” Cr Price said.
However, two other councillors spoke about the popularity of Southend among visitors.
Cr Peter Dunnicliff said the two Beachport caravan parks were “chock-a-block” for four weeks of the year.
Cr Dunnicliff said visitors were able to launch their boats from the beach at Southend and then catch a feed of fish.
Cr Kevin McGrath said people go to Southend for the quietness while Cr John Drew was keen to further probe into the use of the bush camping area and other suitable land.
Council development services director Steve Chapple said there was opposition to the proposed caravan park closure from the owners of the local shop.
In his report to council, Mr Chapple said it engaged the services of a consulting firm last year to review the future sustainability of the park.
“Consideration was given to council’s Southend Climate Adaptation Strategy as part of the review which identified the considerable physical risk to the caravan park and other assets from coastal erosion,” Mr Chapple said.
“The consultants also examined the parks current and future financial viability as well as the level of investment required to bring the failing infrastructure up to a suitable standard.
“The report offered two options for council’s consideration.
“Firstly, following expiration of the current lease in August 2020, close and remediate the site and hand back to the Crown.
“The bush camping area could be closed or maintained via appointment of a contractor to operate/manage on council’s behalf until no longer viable.
“The second option was these measures plus identification and development of a new caravan park at an inland site in Southend.
“Consultants examined the opportunity for Wattle Range Council to develop a new caravan park on suitable land in the township near the Southend Community Club.
“The review clearly indicates the financial viability of a new facility is low and would place council at significant financial risk.”
At its May meeting, council resolved to receive and note the consultant’s review and to authorise its officers to undertake consultation with the community in relation to the closure of the Southend Caravan Park from August, 2020.
It will hold a series of face-to-face consultation sessions at Southend to gain community feedback.
Written submissions are invited until June 14.
