“Ratepayers will have their hand in their pocket forever” — Chapman warns on caravan park closure

COUNCILLOR Denis Chapman has issued a blunt warning to Fraser Coast residents, if Torquay’s Beachfront Tourist Park is replaced with open space or a playground, ratepayers will be footing the bill for generations to come.

“I look at running this community as a business,” Chapman said.

“We should be looking for more revenue streams, not losing one.”

“The caravan park doesn’t just make money for Council, but it also brings money into our region.”

“That money goes through local shops, businesses, and wages. It generates employment to mow our parks, fix our roads, and run our sewage.”

“That’s what keeps a community going.”

Chapman rejects any suggestion that the Torquay foreshore’s caravan park should make way for green space.

“Any green space will be a straight out cost to the community and the loss of any revenue will have a critical impact on the growth of our growing community.”

“Once you replace it with a playground or open parkland, the ratepayer will have their hand in their pocket forever. It becomes a cost centre, not an income earner.”

Cr Chapman said the park was far more than just a line item in Council’s budget,
it was a proven driver of tourism, employment, and economic flow-on.

“They come here from Melbourne, from everywhere. When they are caravanning, they talk to people, go out for dinner, buy from shops, visit the RSL, the Boat Club, it all goes back into our local economy. Without that, our jobs and small businesses suffer.”

Cr Chapman said those who dismiss the park’s economic importance are simply ignoring the facts.

“The argument that only old people stay there and that they don’t spend any money is completely wrong.”

“I have personally seen plenty of young people with rooftop tents on their four-wheel drives, out touring. They love it because they are right on the water, it’s affordable, social, and exactly what makes Hervey Bay special.”

When it comes to creating more open space, Chapman was candid.

“We have kilometres of foreshore that is underused most of the year. What we should be doing is improving existing parks at Scarness, Torquay, and Urangan, not removing one of the few assets that actually generates revenue.”

Chapman said the financial case against removing the park was straightforward.

“The premium option they are talking about, the big playground, is around $16 million.”

“Even the simpler open space is $5 million.”

“Council doesn’t have that lying under the pillow.”

“Either another project doesn’t go ahead, or rates go up. That’s just how it works.”

He compared the decision that he and other councillors make, is akin to managing a household budget.

“You want to buy something, you have to ask, do I need it, will it be a benefit and can I actually afford it? If not, forget it and move forward.”

When asked by the Hervey Bay Advertiser if he was surprised by the overwhelming public response to Community Consultation, he simply said “No, not at all.”

“This community gets involved when something matters. I have been a councillor for nine years and people care deeply about keeping what makes Hervey Bay unique. We can move forward and grow, but Hervey Bay will always be Hervey Bay.”

In February of this year, Chapman backed his current position with data that was collected from Torquay Caravan Park visitors.

“The Torquay Caravan Park operators collected receipts for two weeks. Even at about 45% occupancy during this time, $30,275 was spent locally in that period.”

He said Council now needs to listen to that same community.

“The decision is with the people. Once they have spoken, Council should follow. We asked for their views, now we need to respect them.”

Chapman said he has seen enough consultation fatigue to know when the public’s message is consistent.

“This community has said before that they do not want to lose the caravan park. We spent $100,000 on a consultation process that we didn’t need because the community had already spoken through the foreshore master plan. They made it clear what they value, and it’s time we listened.”

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.