Sites shift sham

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
RESIDENTS are unhappy with a government decision to close 70 sites at Warburton’s Caravan Park that could see the town lose an estimated $1 million.
Some also believe there would be a loss of regular visitors who specifically ask to camp by the riverfront.
The Yarra Ranges Council is working to have the sites relocated in the final master plan for the park after the Department of Sustainability and Environment required the revegetation of a 20-metre buffer zone along the river front, where the 70 camping sites currently exist.
But residents and business owners say that taking the sites away from the riverfront will negatively impact on the park.
The caravan park is situated on council land and some Crown land, and has been operated through a lease agreement for the past 20 years.
The lease for the caravan park expired in December 2010, and has been extended until April 2011, while the council finalises the master plan.
East Warburton resident Cath Seegers has questioned why the DSE wanted to take away the reason for campers to come to the park where there are kilometres of untended riverbanks along the Yarra River.
“They will be deprived of a wonderful holiday in our beautiful community and it’s going to affect the residents and the township,” she said.
Warburton business owner and resident Norman Orr said the caravan park provided an affordable family venue for repeat and new visitors.
“It used to stagger me when I first got here and they’d say they were from Croydon, Mooroolbark, Ringwood, which is not far at all but you might as well be in Tasmania sitting and enjoying the water by the river,” he said.
“It certainly is about losing those regulars; others have said they won’t be coming back if they don’t see the river.
“The people come up here because of the ambience, it’s a beautiful spot on the river and the water is therapeutic – if they can’t see that because of the revegetation they won’t come back either.”
Caravan park operator Andy Walker, who has leased the park for 17 years, said he will wait to see the master plan before deciding whether to continue leasing the park out from the council.
Mr Walker said he has had quite a few visitors tell him they won’t return if they cannot camp by the riverside.
He also said there were more than 100 annual permanent caravans on site and several of those may be required to move within those 70 sites to be relocated.
Council spokesperson Tracey Varley said the DSE required a 20-metre buffer zone on either side of the river for vegetation in order to protect the environmental values of the river, including maintaining a high level of water quality and protecting the surrounding environment.
“Relocation of the 70 sites will be considered as part of a final plan for the caravan precinct,” she said.
“Council recognises the importance of tourism and the caravan park to Warburton, and seeks a plan of works with Melbourne Water and the caravan park to meet all objectives.”
A DSE spokesperson said the DSE was keen to work with the council and the community on the future management of the Crown river frontage that forms part of the caravan park.