Caravan park upgrade - Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park
About this page
Stage one of the upgrade to the Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park has been completed, marked by the opening of the new Seaview Cabins
Background
In early 2009, following several years of planning that resulted in a masterplan being developed to upgrade our caravan parks in Torquay and Lorne, we applied to the State Government seeking approval (in accordance with the Crown Land Reserves Act) to borrow $9m to completely upgrade both parks over a two year period. Although the State Government had previously approved our upgrade plans, our borrowing application was not successful as it was considered inappropriate for GORCC to borrow funds for the full cost of the upgrade (which includes approximately $6m in infrastructure works and $3m in new cabins for the two caravan parks).
Consequently, we have since revised our plans to focus on staging the upgrade works over the next 10 years, instead of the two to three years previously proposed. We intend to achieve this by allocating up to $1 million of our own funds per annum over the next 10 years supported by State Government grants for specific works and borrowings for new cabins.
Upgrade works proposed for 2010
In December 2009, the State Government announced that it would provide $750,000 to fund the first stage of a power upgrade in the Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park. This funding will improve power supply in the bottom half of the park closest to the beach, with a brand new power system to be installed to service some 300 camp sites, including replacement power heads where required, and power upgrades to four amenity blocks and existing cabins. The works will commence in May 2010 and be completed by November 2010.
The second stage to upgrade power to the rest of the park will be completed in 2012 or 2013, depending on funding availability. When complete, the power upgrade will improve power supply, reliability and safety throughout the caravan park, and meet a Powercor requirement to reduce the five current points of power supply in the park to one.
Other upgrade works to be undertaken in 2010 include putting in a new water supply, improving some access roads and installing five new onsite cabins.
Progress Reports
Progress report 15 April 2010
- Geelong-based firm Salt Electrical awarded the contract to deliver the power upgrade. [Media release]
- Letters sent to 130 annual permit holders affected by the works advising them of the timing of the works in their area, site access and storage during the works period, and site lay-outs following the works
- Affected campers offered a $500 rebate on their 2010-2011 permit fees along with an additional 57 days use of their site between 1 February and 30 April 2011 to help offset the impacts of the works on campers’ use
- Individual discussions continuing with affected campers, in person or by phone, to work through their concerns and questions.
- Works scheduled to commence after ANZAC Day 2010.
Progress report 5 May 2010
Work on the major power upgrade started on Monday 3 May 2010 with Salt Electrical currently working in an area covering 40 sites. [Media release]
Progress report 10 June 2010
- The power upgrade in the southern section of the park is currently proceeding according to schedule.
- New cabling has been installed in four of the nine areas with water reticulation works also completed in three.
- Sewer works have started and are due to be completed on schedule.
- Construction works are currently underway in another four areas.
- The first batch of new power heads has been delivered.
- The committee recently approved the purchase of five new cabins. These have since been ordered.
Progress report 1 July 2010
- The power upgrade works continue to run according to schedule.
- Five of the nine areas (areas 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9) have been completed with new electrical cable and water supply services now in place.
- New power head bases have been installed and new power heads are in the process of being progressively installed.
- Area 3, where 12-month permit holders are located, is nearing completion and preparations are being made to reinstate caravans temporarily relocated to enable the works to proceed.
- Area 5, another 12-month permit holder area, is well underway with trenching finished and conduit in the process of being laid.
Progress report 17 August 2010
- Power upgrade continues to run right on track with trenching works to start this week in the final area. Installation of high voltage conduits has been completed in all but this area.
- Sixty new powerheads have been installed and will soon be wired up and plumbed.
- Five cabin locations have been marked up and concrete footings installed in preparation for the arrival of the first cabin next week.
- First group of vans and annexes have been reinstated onsite representing the completion of all works in that area.
Progress report 26 August 2010
- The first of five new cabins has arrived. Built by industry leader Jayco, the cabin will provide comfortable, functional accommodation for up to eight people.
- The remaining four cabins are due to arrive one by one during September and October with installation and landscaping works to be completed in time for the peak summer camping period.
- The cabins will be available for holidays from 1 November and will shortly be up on our website for on-line bookings.
Progress report 29 October 2010
Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield officially opens the new Seaview cabins neighbourhood to mark the completion of stage one improvement works in the park. [Media release]
