Almost four years after it opened its doors, the free Proserpine RV park has now closed due to Whitsunday Regional Council’s decision not to renew the current lease.
This decision was made largely due to the required $600,000 of upgrades needed to be undertaken on the site.
The development approval conditions stipulated in the new lease required the installation of drainage, lighting, and appropriate carpark seal to the parking area.
As the site is not owned by the Council, ownership of the upgrades would return to the landowner at the end of the lease.
While in service, the Proserpine RV Park had offered free 48-hour overnight RV parking and was located behind St Catherine’s Church, just off the main street.
The regular flow of grey nomads and other passing travellers from the RV site brought increased spend to local shops.
Council, however, decided that $600,000 was too much investment in a site they didn’t own and stated that the plan had always been to invest in their main local tourism asset, Proserpine Dam.
It is hoped that by developing this attraction the overall tourist numbers that utilise services and suppliers in Proserpine will also grow further.
While the majority of Councillors agreed to terminate the lease at last week’s Ordinary Council Meeting, Councillor Michelle Wright felt inclined to continue.
“There was a need in the community for the RV site,” she said.
“This is a restock and overnight stop and I think we can get a grant to do this work.
“We knew what the conditions were then, and knew it wasn’t our land, when we signed on.”
Mayor Hall and Councillors Brunker and Clifford, however, were vocally opposed to continuing the lease.
“I would rather spend the money at our caravan park and put an overnight stop in for free,” said Councillor Clifford.
The Proserpine RV park officially closed on Tuesday this week.
Proserpine Free RV Park welcomed hundreds of travellers over the past four years. Photo: Queensland.com
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