Lake Proserpine has experienced exceptional financial growth as a tourism venture thanks to major redevelopments which have capitalised on the famed site’s natural splendour.
Since the first quarter of the financial year, when new caretakers Red Cat Adventures commenced their tenure at the facility, more than 5,500 people have visited the Dam’s campsite, generating a total of $95,474.76 in revenue - an increase of 64 per cent compared to the previous quarter.
In financial terms, the $2.9 million dollar Dam development – budgeted at $3.1 million, with the difference being award to construct the grey water system – has been a major success for Whitsunday Regional Council.
And in social terms, the transformation of Peter Faust Dam has seen it become a major tourism experience for travellers and locals alike, and it is certainly becoming a source of incredible pride for locals, especially Councillor John Collins.
When Councillor Collins initially ran to maintain his seat of Division Three in 2016, much of his campaign focused on developing tourism opportunities at what was previously reserved as solely an infrastructure site.
“I feel proud to have been a part of a Council that brought this to fruition,” Councillor Collins said.
“Ever since the dam was built, locals have always said it would be a perfect place to pack up and go camping and exploring on weekends. Now this has finally happened.”
Mr Collins and Proserpine locals would not have to wait long before plans began moving for the Dam. Council struck an agreement with SunWater – who run the Dam’s water operations – for approvals of a tourism upgrade, and then began drafting a Master Plan which would receive grant funding in 2017.
The Plan is now in its final stages and Councillor Collins has lauded it as one of his great achievements as a member of local government, and residents and travellers seem to agree with him.
“You only have to look at the record numbers of people staying here over the last quarter to see it,” he said.
“[Those numbers] have a great flow on effect to the businesses, not only in Proserpine, but the wider Whitsundays Region. Everything at Lake Proserpine is a great addition to the wonderful Whitsunday Region.
“It’s a land-based destination, which is totally different to the beaches and islands, and caters for a completely different kind of holiday maker.”
The development saw a slew of upgrades and additions: camping sites, upgraded recreational facilities and overflow parking areas, pontoons for enhanced access between the water and landslide areas, an enhanced arrival and information facility, upgraded boat ramp and parking areas, and accessibility to rationalised water-based recreation areas.
It also is host to ‘Glamping’ Tents for “camping glamorously”.
And that’s not all: Into the future, Mr Collins said Council intend to construct cabins, powered sites, and multiple communal barbecue areas, depending on additional grant funding.
Lake Proserpine Caretakers Ilsa Belska and Mark Houston have seen the influx of guests firsthand and said “they’re hearing the talk.”
“We are finding that locals who have never been here before, they’re hearing the word of mouth throughout town,” Ms Belska said.
“We’re getting a lot of daytrippers, a lot of locals, return customers heading north who stop in. People coming for a ‘tree-change’, and it’s a dream gig for us.”
Councillor Collins said Lake Proserpine had always been known as “the home of the one-metre barramundi” for fisherman, but the dynamic is changing.
“I’ve been down here countless times in my life. Every time, I stop for photos,” he said.
“Some of the most spectacular sunsets. It has everything; just sit back, enjoy the perfect view, the perfect escape.”
Whitsunday Regional Councillor John Collins and Proserpine Lake caretakers Ilsa Belska and Mark Houston at the lake, which has seen major redevelopment and success
Mark Houston and Ilsa Belska at the visitor kiosk at Lake Proserpine
Lake Proserpine is one of the region’s most spectacular tourism sites
