Councillor Truscott says community’s voice on Torquay Caravan Park has been overwhelmingly clear

FRASER Coast Councillor Paul Truscott says he has not met a single person outside the Council chamber who supports removing the Torquay Beachfront Tourist Park, describing the issue as one of the most strongly felt community debates he has witnessed in local government.

“It would be one of the top three,” Cr Truscott said.

“The sports precinct would probably be the other big dividing one that stands out in my mind, and lastly the new administration building in the Bay.”

“Of all the issues I have seen, the caravan park would take first place.”

He said while previous issues such as the sports precinct had generated both strong support and opposition, the caravan park discussion had been notably one sided.

“Outside of the Council chamber room, I have not had one single person tell me that we should get rid of the caravan park in favour of an open space area or playground,” he said.

Although Cr Truscott represents Maryborough, he said the conversation reaches well beyond Hervey Bay.

“Since the discussion has come about, the only community message that I have received, and primarily from people in Maryborough, is the same.

“Do not get rid of that Torquay Caravan Park,” he said.

“They have sentimental attachment to it, dating back decades. Thousands of residents have expressed their concern through a petition, and businesses have been vocal about their concerns also.”

People ask, ‘Why would you get rid of a Council asset that produces income? Wouldn’t that just mean you have to raise rates if it was removed?’

“There are people who have stopped me on my morning walks and said, ‘Make sure you keep it.’ Even visitors from out of town have said the same thing.”

Speaking with The Hervey Bay Advertiser, Cr Truscott said his personal position had been clear since the issue first arose.

“I need to make it clear that these are my personal views and not the official position of Council,” he said.

“I’ve always been of the opinion that we should not remove an income producing asset, such as the caravan park, especially one that is so appreciated by our community and guests.”

“Out of the many kilometres along the Esplanade, there are other suitable areas that I believe could be considered if an additional park or recreation space was necessary.”

He added that arguments suggesting the caravan park should make way for new youth spaces or to assist future development did not convince him.

“I don’t buy into either one of those arguments for getting rid of the caravan park because I don’t think it will make a difference, really, to try to retain youth by not having a caravan park there,” he said.

“There are so many other options already available on the Esplanade that I don’t think making one more there is going to make a difference.”

“There are literally green space parks either side of this Torquay Caravan Park, use those.”

Cr Truscott said he believed the community’s view was already well established and consistent.

“I think this is going to be a waste of time because we know what the community wants already,” he said.

“It was overwhelmingly evident at that time that people wanted to keep the caravan park.”

“So, I felt that this whole process has been a waste of time and money in my personal opinion, of course.”

“But I respect the process of democracy and I will wait to see what the outcome is, but I believe it will be in support of retaining the caravan park.”

He said that if additional parkland or playground space was genuinely needed, there were other areas along the Esplanade that could be considered without removing a valuable community asset.

“If the community wanted more park and open space, why not find another section of the Esplanade that’s not already utilised by an income producing asset and put a park there?” he said.

He encouraged residents to make their views known through the official consultation survey.

“I strongly encourage everyone with a view on the matter to share their thoughts through the official consultation survey process,” he said.

“This is the official process that will make part of the report that is put to all councillors to make a decision on.”

“I will be waiting to see the results of the survey process before making any final determination.”

What’s your view on the Torquay foreshore? Make your opinion count by completing the Council’s survey by 10 November - scan the QR code below.

The Hervey Bay Advertiser is publishing a series of articles relating to the Torquay Caravan Park debate. All comments attributed to elected representatives reflect their personal views and not those of the Fraser Coast Regional Council as an organisation.