QUINNS Rocks residents will finally get a chance to put forward their ideas for what they would like to see at the former caravan park site after Wanneroo councillors unanimously agreed to another round of community consultation.
Unlike the proposed Woolworths development in Two Rocks, which was approved by the Metro Outer JDAP on May 4, the former caravan park site in Quinns Rocks is freehold and owned by the City of Wanneroo.
Residents probably expected to be given a bigger say in the development of the former caravan park site compared with the Two Rocks development as the land there is owned by a private developer apart from land containing King Neptune now ceded to the Crown
The decision to undertake extra engagement to ask the community their views on the preferred use of the former caravan park came about after councillors amended a recommendation including that the City of Wanneroo start negotiating a lease with Heritage WA following their expression of interest proposal involving glamping and belle tents, BYO camping and powered caravan area for the site.
Additional facilities and amenities proposed included a fully licenced restaurant overlooking a lawn area facing Quinns beach, a lawn area with potentially a long shallow reflection pool, possible public access to the front of the resort area, sunset concerts on the weekend and a children’s paddling pool.
The decision to ask residents what use they wanted on the site followed deputations by residents concerned about the proposal and arguments from some councillors that more consultation was necessary.
Central-West ward councillor Nat Sangalli’s said the council had not listened to the community during the consultation process.
Cr Sangalli said at the very first consultation meeting the person running the session referred to the site as a holiday park and a 100 people stood up and started yelling and saying it was not a holiday park it was a caravan park.
She said the distinction was made then that the community wanted and supported a caravan park and that they did not support a holiday park or glamping.
“This isn’t news to councillors that the community were opposing this – it’s not news to administration the community were opposing this,’’ she said.
The view southwards from the entry to the overflow car park on the former Quinns Rocks caravan park site. Picture: Anita McInnes“If we chose to continually spend money for a consultation to produce something the community didn’t want that’s on us.
“But we were the ones that put all that infrastructure down there in the first place.
“We are the ones that have been drawing people into that area and now we’re sitting (here) saying we’re not going to fix the parking, we’re not going to look at the parking until after we’ve worked out what we’re going to do on this piece of land.’’
Former Wanneroo MLA Dianne Guise, who is also a former Wanneroo deputy mayor, said the council needed to consider the growth that had already taken place in the area and the further growth to come.
“They can’t ignore the demand for parking in the area,’’ she said.
In her opinion the “ship has sailed” on the city’s proposal.
Ms Guise said the council needed to face it was a popular regional beach – the shark net made it even more popular – and the overflow car park was already required.
“As discussed at a recent meeting why not have a Mullaloo beach style for this site – grassed area at the front, parking behind, all screened with protected Bush Forever.
“One great idea was to have the ‘huts’ for picnicking use and make them fun different shapes in acknowledgement of the history of the site.
“Any ideas would be welcome other than what’s on offer – anyone using the beach knows additional parking is essential – if in doubt try going to Yanchep beach during summer and find a car park – virtually impossible with cars parked everywhere risking fines and forcing people to walk quite some distance juggling young children and beach gear.’’
The bushland is part of Bush Forever area 397 (the coastal strip from Wilbinga to Mindarie).
The state government Bush Forever policy says in general terms development is not prevented on Bush Forever land where it is consistent with the measures in the policy and other planning and environmental considerations.
In a Q&A document the city said the caravan park, which operated from 1946 to 2014 had become run-down and was no longer financially viable to operate.
Since the caravan park was closed the area has been used for overflow parking for the Quinns Mindarie Surf Life Saving Club and Portofinos Restaurant Café and Function Centre.
