RV Park in the shire: Time for a decision
Tourism
The on-going discussion of a proposed RV Park in the Douglas Shire will highlight the first Open Session of Council of the New Year on Tuesday (10:00am) when Councillor Peter McKeown moves his Notice of Motion to either accept or reject the proposal.
In his Notice of Motion, Cr McKeown says this is not the first time the RV Park proposal has been raised to Council.
“I wish to put this motion to the Council in an effort to have this proposal either moved or defeated as this has been a long-drawn-out matter which we can't seem to progress on and many hours of officers’ time has been spent on it.
“First consultation was made in 2017 when the RV Association (CMCA - Caravan and Motor home Club of Australia, the largest RV Club in Australia), approached to examine if there was interest in the Douglas Shire for the creation of a RV Park. A consultation was carried out and proceeded no further. Two years ago, the CMCA again approached the Council to gauge if this situation may have changed.
“To me it is a win-win situation. We can make available a facility that will benefit the whole shire. Currently, we do not attract this type of visitor to our shire as we are not an RV-friendly shire. This has been confirmed by the CMCA. These tourists would also venture through our shire and provide additional nights' accommodation,” says Cr McKeown.
The RV traveller market is the fastest growing domestic tourism sector in Australia and has been for the past 15 years.
Tourism Research Australia statistics show that 2016 recorded the highest growth in domestic caravanning and camping overnight trips since data was first collected in 1998.
Total visitor nights of caravanning and camping grew by 11.7 million trips in 2016 over the previous 12 months to produce 51.6 million visitor nights, a growth of 18%.
As at May 2021 there were 750,000 registered RVs in Australia, 669,000 caravans and 72,000 motor homes and campervans having a 10% growth rate since 2015.
Council conducted a community consultation last year with 383 people responding:
- 93% of respondents agreed an RV Park would be good for the Mossman economy.
- 70%of respondents preferred 50 sites over 20
- 72 Businesses responded to the survey.
- 71 agreed an RV Park would be good for the Mossman economy.
- 1 was neutral.
- 237 residents responded
- 93% agreed an RV Park an RV Park would be good for the Mossman economy.
- 3% were neutral
- 4% disagreed or strongly disagreed.
- 5 of 13 caravan park owners in the shire strongly objected to Council creating an RV Park in Mossman or indeed anywhere in the shire.
“I am suggesting that Council’s Tourism and Economic Development officer and Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) develop a marketing campaign to target caravans as well as camping and RVs. RVs do not come to this region at present. We are bypassed,” says Cr McKeown in his motion.
Tourism Port Douglas Daintree Chief Executive Tara Bennett said she is fully supportive of the establishment of an RV park in Mossman.
“The township has been identified as having the range of services RV travellers seek. This travel group will provide a significant boost to economic activity for the small business community of Mossman and surrounding Port Douglas,” she said.
Warri Park Maintenance Program
Councillors will consider endorsing the above program which has provided an opportunity for council to review current open space assets in this area, desired standard of service and consider future needs.
Over the past five years the council has received approximately 60 customer requests (CRM’s) directly relating to Warri Park. The majority of the CRM’s are requests predominately about vegetation management and all have been received from residents from either Ulysses Avenue or Lake Close.
By far the majority of CRM’s are requesting the trimming of the trees to rectify problems with adjacent infrastructure. However, there are other residents with opposing views regarding any vegetation and tree clearing.
The Warri Park Maintenance Program sets Douglas Shire Council’s Level of Service specifically for Warri Park thus providing clarity, transparency and accountability on grounds maintenance operations within this zone.
Building better regions funding
At Tuesday's meeting Council will also consider endorsing applications to Building Better Regions Fund Round Six for:
a) Rex Smeal Playground Renewal/Upgrade; and
b) Cooya Beach Reservoir Connection
2. Commits a 25% contribution in the 2022-23 Budget towards eligible project costs for each project, if successful.
The Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) aims to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future with grants of $20,000 to $10M to cover 50% or more of eligible project costs.
Council has an opportunity to apply for funding for investment ready projects aligning with the funding program.
The Agenda:
- Warri Park Maintenance Program
- Building Better Regions Fund Round 6 Co Contribution
- Contract WO5781-001 PDWWTP – Sequencing Batch Reactor Diffuser Upgrade
- Contract WO5462 – Cooya Beach Cycle Way (Section 2)
- Financial Report December 2021
- Operational Plan Progress Report for October to December 2021
- Report from the Chief Executive Officer for period October to December 2021
- Notice of Motion – RV Park proposal