Information

Project update

Invitation to join new Quinns Rocks Caravan Park Redevelopment Advisory Group

The City is calling for nominees to step forward and participate in a new advisory group that will help shape the future of a caravan/tourist park located at the previous Quinns Rocks Caravan Park Site.

The advisory group is intended to bring together people with differing perspectives and expertise, to contribute to the City’s Expression of Interest process to investigate the potential to redevelop the site (Lot 211 Quinns Road, Mindarie) as a modern caravan/tourist park.

The proposed advisory group will represent the local community, business and environmental interests, as well as include community members with a knowledge of heritage (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage).

The City is also seeking nominations from those with industry knowledge and expertise (including in the tourism or caravan park industry), and potential users of the proposed tourist park.

Nominations are now open and will close on Sunday 28 February 2021.

How to register your interest

To register your interest and request the Advisory Group Terms of Reference and Nomination Form,  you will need to complete an online form.

Register your interest here

Note:  After filling in and reviewing your details, make sure that you click on the second Submit Form button.  Contact us if you do not get an email confirmation.

For more information on this project, or if you have any queries, contact Paul Compe, Property and Projects Officer on 9405 5837 or Paul Greer, Manager Property Services on 9405 5022.

Business Case approved by Council

Further to the City’s previous updates to interested community members, the Business Case to redevelop Quinns Rocks Caravan Park was approved at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 22 September 2020 (item CS03-09/20).

The Business Case was developed by the City’s consultant (Pracsys) 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 next stage (Stage 3) will include inviting market-based expressions of interest to fund, develop and operate the caravan/holiday park under a ground lease from the City, in line with parameters and requirements determined by Council and in consultation with the community (including via an advisory group/s).

No formal development scope or design, or lease arrangement, is under consideration.  Proposals arising from the expression of interest process (including the development proposals) will be subject to Council approval. 

A copy of the Council Report is available here.

Launch Council Report

Recent progress and ongoing operations

In late 2019 and early 2020, the City engaged a botanical specialist  to provide a detailed survey which will inform stakeholders of the botanical qualities of the site.

It is envisioned that this will assist future planning and aid a comprehensive environmental impact assessment as part of any future development submission.

The Flora and Vegetation study was finalised in March 2020 and conducted during the flowering season of September / October 2019.  

A separate fauna study was undertaken during the same period. 

Further information (including the study reports and details of the Keighery Scale referenced in the flora study) is provided in the attached documents (See Flora and Fauna surveys attached).

Site clean up to ensure a safe environment

The City has identified evidence of antisocial behaviour and drug use at the Quinns Rocks Caravan site.

Administration staff are unable to clean-up the site by hand in a safe manner. It is therefore necessary to allow purpose built modified vehicles on-site to remove toxic items, such as needles and other drug paraphernalia.

Due to some of the waste being deposited in long grass, it is unsafe to undertake collection by hand and mechanical collection may be necessary.

Please be advised the clean-up operation will be limited to the footprint of the former caravan park and will not extend into the remnant bushland.

These actions are necessary to ensure a safe environment for person(s) accessing the site and vehicles are expected to commence cleaning up the site in early 2021.

Project background - Business Case

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.

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 recent approval of the Business Case means the project moves to the next stage, (Stage 3) and invite expressions of interest 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 2020/21 as a continuation of the temporary arrangement at the time of construction at the surf lifesaving club building.