SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council has listened to the Sandy Point community’s views on its wish to keep the coastal township’s existing caravan park at its present location.
Local consultation on the caravan park’s future as well as a possible new park and camping ground to be developed elsewhere in the town included a drop-in chat session arranged by the shire and a packed public meeting run by the Sandy Point Community Group.
More than 250 responses to the issue were presented to the shire with the clear preference being for the shire to keep the caravan park at its current site fronting Beach Parade and to improve the facility.
The shire’s administration panel acting as the council adopted the Sandy Point Caravan and Camping Ground Investigation Report at its ordinary meeting held at Leongatha on April 22, 2020.
The investigation report identified potentially suitable locations for a new caravan park and camping ground that would be “subject to further examination by prospective private operators”.
These included farming land north-west of Sandy Point, coastal reserve to the south-east, and land lying adjacent to the town, south-west of Shallow Inlet Road.
The current caravan park is privately owned and the report states that “its future operation is uncertain”.
A statement from the shire indicates that “since the Sandy Point Caravan Park is a privately-owned business, Council supports the continuation of this use in the township but cannot fund improvements as this is the responsibility of the owner.
“Council also cannot require the business to remain open as a caravan park because the business is privately owned and operated,” the statement continues.
“Council has provided the investigation report with options that the private sector may consider for future development of a caravan and camping ground in case it is required as the current caravan park is earmarked for subdivision by the owner.”
The shire’s acting planning manager Ken Griffiths acknowledged community members for their feedback during the project.
“Council would like to thank the Sandy Point community who engaged with us over the investigation and provided their valuable feedback,” he said.
“We can see there is a clear community viewpoint to keep the caravan park where it is and to improve its amenities.
“While Council cannot invest in amenities as the facility is privately owned we do support its operation,” Mr Griffiths said.
“The investigation report identifies this and also provides options for the future in the event that the current caravan park isn’t feasible with the interest in private subdivision.”
The Sandy Point Caravan and Camping Ground Investigation Report is available to view under the April 2020 Council Meeting Agenda and Minutes at www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/meetings
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