Margie Maccoll
A boom in holiday park numbers had Noosa councillors on Tuesday asking if there were other sites available for expansion.
Cr Amelia Lorentson asked officers if there was the opportunity to open another park “given the huge success of existing sites“ and inquired on the situation with John’s Landing.
The former privately-owned campsite was bought by council in 2017 for about $2 million from a combination of funds from the environment levy and general rates with the aim to rehabilitate the land before creating an eco-camping area, council heard.
Cr Joe Jurisevic said he recalled there had been a five-year plan at the time to complete the rehabilitation and removal of contaminants which should now be completed.
Council’s officer said a discussion on the future of John’s Landing would be more appropriate at an internal workshop.
When Cr Frank Wilkie asked about the opportunities available to offer guests new experiences, he was told possibilities existed to introduce fixed accommodation units or clamping sites such as those recently tendered for at Cotton Tree by Sunshine Coast Council.
The benefit to the region and commercial performance were issues to be considered, the officer said.
Council’s holiday park report showed bookings were 15 per cent above expected levels and numbers were up 3000 in just the past six months.
A council officer attributed the increase across Noosa’s three council-owned parks at Noosa River, Boreen Point and Noosa North Shore to a new preventative maintenance program and high quality service alongside an increased consumer demand for camping and caravanning.
The report showed differences in demographics across the parks with Noosa River Park attracting more of an older generation with sites tending to be rented by couples who stayed for longer periods, compared to Noosa North Shore and Boreen Point which were more attractive to families who tended to stay shorter periods.
Cr Lorentson also raised the issue of illegal camping citing recent reports on social media of illegal campers at Noosa Woods who, unable to use locked toilet facilities, were instead relieving themselves in the bushes.
She asked if facilities could remain open for public use instead of being shut at 4pm.
Noosa CEO Scott Waters said the issue of illegal camping involved two council departments being parks and gardens and infringements and council would look at addressing the issue with signage and infringements as well as making sure the community which could include local fishermen had available amenities.
