RESIDENTS have raised concerns that the site of an existing caravan park is being sold to developers at the detriment of the owners and the culture of Sandy Point.

A planning permit was displayed at the Sandy Point Caravan Park – 89 Beach Parade.

The application relates to the subdivision of the existing Caravan Park into 14 lots varying in size from 583m2 to 668m2.

“We have no intention of shutting the caravan park,” Sandy Point Caravan Park owner and developer, Chris Cope explained.
“We have submitted an application to Council, the process takes a while.”

Chris has lived in Sandy Point his whole life, and owned the Caravan Park from the beginning, seeing the changes as the town has grown and more than familiar with the annual Christmas descension.

In 2020, South Gippsland Shire Council released their Sandy Point Caravan and Camping Ground Site Investigation.

“Council carried out, over two years ago, an investigation into a new caravan park and possible locations for new caravan park at Sandy Point.

“What we've done is put an application up, not necessarily to close the caravan park but carry out further subdivision.

“The last subdivision took approximately six years – we're going about putting ducks in a row.

“And, in the meantime, we're in discussions with Council, re: a proposal for a new caravan park as well, on one of the Council identified sites.

“The analysis in the report was that they were going to leave it to private enterprise to pursue.”

But this is not the first time; Chris has raised his concerns on the viability and need for a new caravan park.

“We have, over the past 16 years, put in several applications to Council to set up a new caravan park, and at times, we as a business have found it very frustrating to get support to move towards the future not just Council but the local community.

“At the current caravan park, the zoning has always been Township Residential, the community group analysis that came out of the caravan park, about the caravan park, and the community group investigation was that it's suitable for high density development and as a company we found that the ongoing viability wasn't there due to the fact that it was never designed to be a caravan park.”

The current caravan park stands on approximately one and a half hectares, whereas one of the four new sites proposed that Chris is looking at is approximately 20 hectares.

“Setting it up for the long-term future, viability, and it would also be a designated caravan park that cannot be developed into housing or land down the track.

“(The current site) was never designed to be a caravan park, it's far too small and if you go back in the history of the land it was only ever designed to be a stopping place whilst people were looking at other blocks of land.

“And, if you look at the original subdivision it's actually carved up into blocks of land.”

Residents at the current site would get preferential treatment at the new site, according to Chris.

“It comes down to viability and the number of attempts we've had to try and get it off the ground has been incredibly frustrating.

“In an ideal world, it'd be great if we could get some support and a little bit of help in moving it forward.

“I’ve been at Sandy Point all my life, and I know not everybody sees the direction I see.”

In their report, South Gippsland Shire have identified four possible site options.

Site one sits west of Sandy Point and in Councils Ordinary Meeting on June 26, 2019, Council identified this site as the preferred location.

Site two sits southeast of the township but is subject to a reservation for the protection of the coastline.

Site three sits north of the township, and site four is the existing site.

The report also notes, “the location of the current caravan park provides no scope for expansion…
“It also lacks shade or protection from the elements by way of trees or landscaping.

“The size of the camping area is prohibitive to large vans entering the park as there is not enough room to manoeuvre the vans into the sites. This also restricts group bookings.”

As for those in support, the report identified and highlighted the importance of ensuring accommodation for, “those that aren’t lucky enough to own a holiday house or can’t afford housing rentals.”

Additionally, the report states that caravan holidays are increasing in popularity and more options are needed.

“Council is presently assessing a planning application to subdivide the existing privately owned Sandy Point Caravan Park site into a conventional residential subdivision comprising of 14 lots,” a spokesperson for South Gippsland Shire stated.
“This assessment process is ongoing, and a decision on the application has not yet been made.

“Council recognises the important role that the caravan park makes to tourism and economic development in the township.
“In April 2020, Council adopted the Sandy Point Caravan Park Camping Site Investigation document.

“This study recognised the potential for the current caravan park site to revert to residential use, and also noted the constraints of the current location in terms of its lack of ability to expand, and its compact nature being prohibitive to larger vans and group bookings.

“The local street network is likewise not conducive to the safe movement of large vans.

“The study involved significant community consultation and identified potential site options on which the private sector may choose to pursue the future development of a caravan and camping ground.

“Council welcomes further discussion with any prospective operator.”

The full planning application is available online at southgippsland.vic.gov.au