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Campers will have to pay to stay at the formerly free Lake Proserpine Campground under a proposal coming before Whitsunday Regional Council today.
Councillors will consider a business plan, prepared by Balfour Consulting, which recommends adopting a ‘pay per use’ operation model for the current facilities.
The current three-night limit would be increased to seven nights under the new commercial model, according to council documents.
The fee would be $6 per person per night, or $24 per night for families with three to six children.
The business plan also recommends the council seek $2.5 million in grant funding to upgrade facilities at the campground over the next five years, including introducing cabin accommodation and powered sites, with fees of $120 per night and $30 per vehicle per night respectively.
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Subscriber only Three Whitsunday landmarks could be removed from the heritage register if a motion before the council is approved this week. The Hook Island Underwater Observatory, Proserpine War Memorial and the Palace Hotel are being recommended for removal from the registry. Whitsunday Regional Council documents state the local heritage register and planning scheme mapping required updates due to changed circumstances of three places listed . The documents stated the Hook Island Underwater Observatory was deemed structurally unsound and was demolished as part of the Hook Island Eco resort redevelopment. The Proserpine War Memorial, or the Proserpine Cenotaph, is being replaced, while the Palace Hotel is in such a state of critical disrepair, it is being recommended for removal.
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Subscriber only New economic opportunities for agriculture, tourism and small business through freight markets will be investigated if the Whitsunday council secures a funding grant. The council has been invited to apply for $250,000 funding through the North Queensland Economic Diversification Grants expressions of interest for the Whitsunday Coast Airport to explore the potential development of international freight routes. Council documents state the Whitsunday Coast Airport - Domestic and International Freight Project Implementation activity was identified for submission as it would provide new and improved freight processes and infrastructure . The project seeks to provide new economic opportunities for agriculture, tourism and small business through improved market access, freight efficiencies and new business creation, documents state.
Here are some major items set to be discussed at the council table.
Cemetery policy review Council agenda documents state that after a council briefing session on February 17, changes were made to the region s cemetery policy to better reflect community expectations. Some of the major amendments suggested for the policy include allowing real and artificial flowers after the first month after interment and allowing adornments on graves if they are secure and don t encroach on other graves. The amendments reflect a more considered approach to respecting the rights of families and the broader community feedback to allow for managing cemeteries and their ongoing maintenance, council agenda documents state.