Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park will see a revamp to ensure more flexible accommodation options. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park is set for a revamp in a bid to modernise the “blue chip” coastal spot for visitors and open it up to broader community use.
At a recent Shellharbour City Council meeting, councillors unanimously endorsed a draft plan of management for the holiday park in Shellharbour Village, which will now go to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure – Crown Lands, before being put on public exhibition if approved.
In moving the motion, councillor John Davey said the plan was aimed at modernising it and providing opportunity for greater community use by reducing the number of sites available for long-term casual occupants.
“I.e., less annual rents in favour of more flexible accommodation better suited to a wider, vibrant and flexible visitor market,” Cr Davey said.
“It’s also about introducing a suite of on-site events and services at appropriate times, such as food truck nights, coffee vans, cinemas, trivia nights, acoustic entertainment.
“Accordingly increasing visitation numbers and revenue per site visit, and in turn, underpin our council’s ability to maintain and improve the site and ensure its financial self sufficiency and sustainability.”
Cr Davey said the proposed vision for it to become Shellharbour’s premier provider of mixed tourist accommodation with quality facilities for the whole community was aligned to council’s community strategic plan and NSW Government’s marine tourism strategy for the South Coast.
He said a master plan and five-year business plan would support the refreshed Plan of Management, which was last adopted in 1997.
The public will get an opportunity to have their say on the holiday park in Shellharbour Village when the plan of management goes on public exhibition. Photo: Kellie O’Brien.
“A lot has changed since then,” he said.
“The intent and pathway outlined in this report, underpinned by a refreshed plan of management, continues to underpin our city’s growth and success in being a dynamic, self-reliant destination city.”
Cr Davey said for those concerned about the investment, financial sustainability or changes due to significant legislative and policy changes since the 1997 version, the proposed plan would ensure good ongoing management of the park, while recognising its coastal setting, heritage context and ability to encourage and capitalise upon increased visitor numbers.
He also added that the motion did not create an immediate financial commitment but rather a strategic framework.
Cr Lou Stefanovski said the improvement would provide social and economic benefits.
“The holiday park contributes to local tourism, supports employment and local businesses and enhances the visitor’s experiences within the Shellharbour LGA,” Cr Stefanovski said.
Mayor Chris Homer said it was “one of the most blue chip areas of land on the coast, and further activation would be welcome”.
The holiday park is owned by Crown Lands but operates as a council-owned community asset, with NRMA Parks and Resorts appointed to manage its day-to-day operation in 2020.
Council is required under the Crown Land Management Act 2016 to prepare plans of management for Crown reserves it manages.
The motion was unanimously carried. It will now go to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure – Crown Lands for review and minister’s consent. If approved, it will be on public exhibition for 28 days.
