2014-08-25 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                  25 AUGUST 2014


There appears to be low risk as the major capital item is the dump point that arguably could be
removed from the feasibility analysis as it is proposed to be available to everyone and has a
broader community benefit on environmental grounds as it reduces the risk of the waste being
disposed inappropriately along rural roads or bushland areas including Council land, forestry and
national parks.

The site management model is likely to be subject to an expression of interest approach with this
issue to be covered by the feasibility report.

The key to its success will be promotion of the site and clear information on any “black-out”
periods when the site is not available due to sporting club needs or impacts from wet weather. It
will need to have a web presence (Cooroy RV Stop Over) with information available on various
forums. The information can easily be included on the existing Council main web site, or the
holiday parks web site. Action has to be taken to register relevant web domain names to protect
Council’s interests.


7.    NATIONAL COMPETITION POLICY (NCP)

Current NCP provisions apply when an activity reaches the $300,000 threshold and even then it
is optional. On very preliminary calculations on expected average night stays and associated
costs there is no prospect of this level of revenue being generated, in fact preliminary projections
indicate the direct income stream will be very modest.

It is proposed to “price to market” with the comparable fee charged by the Eumundi RV Stopover
being $10 per night with maximum 2 night stay or Maleny Showgrounds with a fee of $15 night
for a maximum 3 night stay. It should be noted that both these sites provide amenities including
free showers, toilets, together with barbeque and picnic facilities. It is suggested a maximum 3
night stay apply to give visitors a full 2 days to explore the area.

The facility is not seen as open competition to other caravan parks (including Council’s own
holiday parks) as it will not be a “serviced” site and will be restricted to a particular class of
vehicle (not traditional caravans or backpacker vehicles). Many RV owners will still seek the
convenience of location, access to facilities and 24/7 on-site supervision provided by a formal
caravan park.


8.    OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

To assist Council in determining whether to proceed with the establishment of an overnight RV
park in Cooroy, the provision of a dump point and construction of day parking spaces for long
vehicles to enable Cooroy to register as a CMCA “RV Friendly Town”, the following additional
information is provided.

8.1   Current Development Applications within 3km of Cooroy

On 16 July 2014 a development application to establish a mixed use development comprising of
tourist accommodation (including site manager, amenities building, 10 cabins and 27 van parks),
combined service station and fast food including drive through, retail food store, self-storage units
and carwash was lodged. The currently vacant site is located at the corner of Myall Street and
Ferrell’s Road Cooroy approximately 1.4km from the Cooroy RSL.

On 4 August 2014 a development application to establish a temporary short-term self-contained
RV park able to accommodate up to 20 self-contained RVs at 154 Holts Road, Cooroy was
lodged. The site is located approximately 3km from the Cooroy RSL.


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