Information

Project update

The City has progressed the Expression of Interest (EOI) process inviting formal proposals for the development and operation of a low impact, environmentally sensitive tourism accommodation site on a portion of Lot 211 (2) Quinns Road, Mindarie (the site of the former Quinns Rocks Caravan Park).

The EOI incorporated feedback from community engagement during the course of the project, most recently involving input from the Quinns Rocks Caravan Park Community Advisory Group in April and May 2021.  The Advisory Group comprised representatives from the community, environment, business, tourism and heritage and culture sectors. The Advisory Group also helped frame the criteria and priorities for the City’s EOI process to reflect the community’s views.

EOI proponents were invited to demonstrate their ability to operate within a small footprint, with due consideration to local community, heritage and environmental conservation value.  The EOI process was widely advertised between August and October 2021.

Submissions from proponents have been received and a formal evaluation process has been completed.   A report is anticipated to be presented to the City of Wanneroo’s Ordinary Council Meeting next Tuesday, 12 July 2022, and follows a version of the report being presented to the Council Briefing session for discussion on 5 July 2022.  The Ordinary Council Meeting report would be published on the meetings area of the ‘Your Council’ section of the City’s website by close of business on Friday, 8 July 2022.

The report seeks Council’s approval of a preferred development party and will include information on the scope of the EOI proponents’ submissions (which are limited to the original caravan park area).

NEXT STEPS

If Council confirms a preferred proponent, it is anticipated that further private treaty (lease) negotiations will occur to finalise the arrangement for the development of the site.  Community consultation would occur in conjunction with this process.  

The outcomes to the negotiation will require a further report to Council.  For this reason, the current report (anticipated for 12 July 2022) should not be viewed as a final decision to approve the ultimate lease arrangement or development design.

Further updates will be provided on the City’s Your Say page and sent to project subscribers, in addition to other forms of community engagement during the next stages of the project. 

If you have queries, please contact the City’s Property & Projects Officer, Neil Scanes on 9405 5837.

Project background 

The idea of creating a prime tourism location at the site was developed through the City’s draft Economic Development Strategy, which was advertised for public comment in early 2016.

In August 2017 the City began examining the feasibility of redeveloping the portion of land where the caravan site previously existed.

A Business Case was developed by the City’s consultant as a two stage process, commencing in 2017, to assess the viability of a holiday park development.  Its completion followed research and feedback from industry and the local and wider community, and included the outcome of initial environmental and bushfire assessments, as well as detailed financial analysis and modelling.

The Business Case focused on two accommodation options on the beachfront site, adjacent to Portofinos and the Quinns Rocks Surf Lifesaving Club:

• Eco Retreat:  This option would offer a boutique eco-tent experience, similar to that recently introduced at Rottnest.
• Family Tourist Park:  This option describes a more traditional tourist park experience offering caravan sites and cabins.  

Council’s subsequent approval of the Business Case allowed for the project to proceed to the EOI stage inviting submissions from industry professionals to fund, develop and operate the tourist park under a ground lease from the City.

As part of considering any development proposals for the site, the City will review the use of the temporary overflow car park on the former caravan park, with the expectation that parking for the caravan/holiday park would be self-contained. 

The overflow car park will remain open during Summer 2022/23 as a continuation of the temporary arrangement at the time of construction of the community centre addition to the surf lifesaving club building.