MidCoast Council is betting big on an ageing Gloucester caravan park, coughing up half a million dollars to investigate whether it could be upgraded into a Barrington Tops National Park tourism drawcard.
The park: The council-owned Gloucester Holiday Park is by the Gloucester River, about 500 metres from the town’s centre.
Council resumed direct management of the park in December 2025, following a long period of external operation.
According to council executive Paul De Szell, the facility currently runs at a loss, suggesting it could be run more efficiently.
That seems like a lot of money: He said the $500,000 would cover “due diligence, concept planning and business case work”, with a view to potential redevelopment in the future.
The funds would come from a property reserve, generated from the sale and management of other council assets.
Investigate the investment: Councillor Jeremy Miller backed the spend on the “pretty run down” park.
“The Gloucester Holiday Park should be a showcase of Gloucester and a gateway to the Barrington [Tops],” he told the council.
“We need to develop some options. We need to do some concept plans. And we need to do a business case.”
Not so fast: Councillor Mick Graham predicted ratepayers would “pretty much freak out” over the $500,000 price tag.
“What are the figures we're looking at to get a return from this investment - if we call it that?” he asked.
Risk, reward: In response, De Szell argued the investment could “turn significant dividends, for not only council … but also for the business community in Gloucester”.
He did, however, warn the park faced significant issues.
“We're not just talking about coming up with a pretty plan and rejigging the layout. There are issues from water and sewer … right through to amenities, through park compliance, through the flooding issues that have been there,” he told the chamber.
What next: Once investigations are complete, councillors will be presented with a range of options. If they ultimately decide to redevelop the site, further investment will be required.