Project update

The latest community engagement phase is now complete.  This phase involved the creation of the Quinns Rocks Caravan Park Community Advisory Group, who assisted in providing the criteria for the City’s Expression of Interest (EOI) process to reflect the group and community’s views.

The Advisory Group included representatives from the community, environment, business, tourism, heritage and culture, who met on four occasions between April and May.

The Advisory Group workshop information and draft EOI has been presented to the Councillor Working Group for its consideration, feedback and endorsement as part of the broader community engagement process.

NEXT STEPS
The EOI (which is expected to be a two stage process) will be advertised between August 2021 and October 2021, inviting potential candidates to lodge a Stage 1 submission - See Public Notice.

Shortlisted proponents from Stage 1 will be invited to submit a more detailed design, development and operational proposal to the City for further consideration.

Further updates will be provided on this page.  If you have any queries, then please Contact Property Project Officer Neil Scanes on 9405 5837.

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

In the course of the Business Case process, the City also considered the status a portion of unmade gazetted public road reserve which crossed Lot 211. The road reserve is Crown land, under the City’s control and management, and incorporates native vegetation (as noted in the City’s previous flora study in late 2019).    

In the September 2020 Ordinary Council Meeting, Council noted that this road reserve would be the subject of further engagement between the City and the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.  Council subsequently authorised the closure of the road reserve and the amalgamation with Lot 211 at the Ordinary Council Meeting on (item CS03-07/21 – Launch council report), and the proposed closure currently open for public consultation.

The closure of the road reserve is to amalgamate both portions of City freehold Lot 211 to provide one large portion of land as opposed to the current two halves of one land parcel, noting there is no intention to construct the road and the road reserve is historical in nature.

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).

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.