Sunshine Coast Council has voted to close the popular Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park, despite impassioned pleas from the local community to retain it.
At the final sitting of Sunshine Coast Council for 2015, councillors voted that the iconic beachfront park should go, making way for a foreshore redevelopment.
Part of the Mooloolaba Master Plan, which council says is about transforming the town into a “world class tourist destination”, the Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park will be closed and it’s 34 sites “relocated” to other local holiday parks.
Council recently put the issue out for public consultation, with more than 80 per cent of respondents allegedly supporting the master plan and its initiatives.
Artists impression of the Mooloolaba Master Plan
One of the local criticisms of the park was that was hard to get into, with forward bookings offered to park guests before being opened to the general public.
A petition against the park closure received more than 2000 signatures, with vocal opponents suggesting the beachfront park should be granted heritage status.
Deputy Mayor Chris Thompson says parking and the relocation of the caravan park were the hot topics.
“More than 70 per cent of people supported relocation of the northern caravan park sites to allow for a world class oceanfront walk to Alexandra Headland and more than 60 per cent asked for more car parking,” he says.
“The master plan will help us create better public spaces, including 40% more public parkland, 2.4km of enhanced waterfront pathways, improved spaces for sporting and entertainment event.”
“Mooloolaba is a unique place and we want to retain that.”
The foreshore redevelopment will see the construction of an extensive waterfront walking and cycling network, public gym, ocean pool, and other public spaces.
