Company reneges on caravan tender

The company that wanted to build and manage what would have been the biggest caravan park in Broome has withdrawn its application.

The Shire of Broome and Tourism WA jointly requested expressions of interest to develop 13.5ha of land off Sanctuary Road, Cable Beach.

Discovery Parks Pty Ltd won the tender but has since advised the council it does not wish to proceed with the project.

The proposal included a combination of chalets and camping grounds, and the council would have been paid rent as landlord.

Tourism WA became involved as part of its push to increase caravan parks across WA.

Shire chief executive Kenn Donohoe has been authorised to formally acknowledge in writing the council’s acceptance of the notice from Discovery Parks.

A recommendation for a revised consultant report on options for the site with quotes presented to the council for consideration was carried 8/0.

The report would seek to update the council with relevant information to assist with any decision to proceed and re-tender for the development and management of the site, or postpone the project to a later stage.

Broome already has six caravan parks.

The lease on the Roebuck Bay Caravan Park is due to expire in December 2017, which the council is preparing to put out to tender.

Shire president Ron Johnston said developing the site for caravanning and camping remained a high priority for the council.

“The Shire is keen to retain this site as a future caravan park, which we believe would be a great asset to the town in the years to come,” he said.