Bongaree Caravan Park changes

Published 10 February 2011

Moreton Bay Regional Council has notified long-term tenants of Bribie Island's Bongaree Caravan Park that their leases will expire on June 30, 2020, when the park's residential section closes.

Division One councillor, Gary Parsons, said the closure of the long-stay residential component of the Bongaree Caravan Park was regrettable.

“This is a decision I have not supported in council but realise it's a decision this council had to make, Cr Parsons said.

“The fact is, Bongaree Caravan Park occupies land owned by the state Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), and DERM has determined that allowing longer-term accommodation on the site doesn’t comply with the land's designation as a Reserve for Camping.”

Existing residents will still have the option of selling their on-site caravans as going concerns with new owners given the opportunity to secure a fixed term lease over the site until the June 2020 closure date.

“I expect this may create anxiety for some and that’s why council has negotiated with DERM to give long-term residents nine years notice to make suitable alternative accommodation arrangements,” Cr Parsons said.

“This is a decision that has been unfortunate".

Eventually, the three hectare long-stay section of the park will be renovated and converted to short-stay accommodation to help meet the increasing demand from tourists for caravan sites.

The Bongaree Caravan Park’s management contract, which expires in October, is also expected to be put out to tender later this month.