Campers rally on park plans

Alex de Vos
CAMPERS have formed a committee to fight a planned $5 million upgrade to Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park that could see campers lose long-held sites.
Torquay Concerned Campers Committee’s Russell Harper said that more than 600 people attended a meeting at the caravan park last Sunday, where the committee was elected.
“We had about 15 to 20 people put their hand up to help out,” Mr Harper said.
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee has released a master plan to upgrade the caravan park, which incorporates 25 new cabins and several new roads.
Under the plan some campsites would be relocated or abolished.
Mr Harper said the committee supported many of the proposed upgrades, including improvements to amenities and sullage and natural gas connections.
“But we don’t want to lose our sites and change the feel of the caravan park,” Mr Harper said.
He said the committee wanted to “play an active role” in the upgrade of the park.
“We don’t just want information sessions,” he said.
“There are nine people on the (GORCC) committee and I doubt they’ve even stayed at the caravan park.
“We could think of a more feasible plan and a better outcome for everybody.”
Mr Harper warned that the committee would take further action if the campers were not included in the planning process.
GORCC executive officer David Clarke said he would take the Campers Committee’s concerns on board.
“I met with the new committee on Tuesday and we talked about a range of issues,” Mr Clarke said.
“There are some issues from their perspective and I’m going to take some of their concerns back to GORCC.
Written submissions to GORCC regarding the upgrade close on February 22.