Roebuck Bay Caravan Park set for $9 million private revamp

A multimillion-dollar revamp of the Roebuck Bay Caravan Park is likely to go ahead next year, marking the final stage of the Town Beach transformation. Shire of Broome councillors have unanimously endorsed the G’Day Group-owned Discovery Holiday Parks as the preferred 21-year tenderer of the site, extending its existing four-year lease that was due to expire this month. Significant funds would have to be pumped into the site as a condition of the agreement, with the company last week confirming it planned to invest $9 million. Developments would include a footpath connecting Town Beach to Demco Drive, a revised entrance and carpark, a central lagoon pool, 30 new cabins, camp kitchen, barbecue area and upgraded amenities and recreational facilities. It comes after a $24 million overhaul of the Town Beach precinct, which has seen the completion of a scenic walkway, playground, water park, basketball courts, revetment wall, grassed area overlooking Roebuck Bay and a new carpark. A $3 million jetty for recreational fishing and small boat access has also been announced and is set to be finished next year. Shire of Broome president Harold Tracey said the caravan park would be yet another asset for the town. “The redevelopment of this site has been in the Shire’s gaze for almost a decade and it is fantastic that we now have the opportunity to improve what has become a dated caravan park,” he said. “To have a private proponent willing to invest heavily in the facilities and take on a long-term lease gives us the surety we have been looking for. “With all the investment and improvements that have taken place at the Town Beach precinct over the last 18 months, the caravan park’s renewal will continue the transformation of one of Broome’s most iconic locations.” Mr Tracey said further negotiations would occur before a final contract was signed, which would include the option for Discovery to extend its lease to 42 years. G’Day Group chief executive Grant Wilckens said the long-term lease and rapid COVID recovery had given the company confidence to invest in the town. “While Broome is a much-loved property within the G’Day Group, it isn’t currently of the standard we expect for a Discovery Holiday Park,” he said. Discovery has committed to a $500,000 start of lease fee for the Shire to improve and upgrade surrounding amenities. The development is expected to begin by October next year, with the first phase completed in mid-2022. G’Day Group has more than 43 properties across the nation.