Residents in the Melbourne suburb of Point Cook have raised formal objections to a proposed camping and caravan park development, citing concerns about community impact and a lack of consultation.
The Wyndham City Council received a planning permit application in December 2024 from Oakleigh-based developer Planning Central to construct the facility at 425 Point Cook Road.
The proposed development includes 197 cabins, 48 caravan bays, and a 40-space camping area.
Plans submitted to the council indicate the park would also feature a range of amenities such as a reception area, entertainment room, canteen, indoor pool and spa, library, bowling space, movie room, and laundry.
It would be situated next to the Starr Point Market, which has already received council approval.
Local resident John Kenny is among more than 430 individuals who have submitted formal objections to the council.
He has also organized a petition, which has garnered more than 1,700 signatures, and a private Facebook group with over 500 members opposing the project.
“It doesn’t fit the dynamic of the community and there’s been no community engagement about it – it’s not going to be a holiday park, that’s for certain,” Mr. Kenny said in a report published by Star Weekly.
“We [residents] don’t want to come across looking like we don’t want riff raff on our doorstep, but it could increase crime and bring down a very community-oriented suburb.”
While Kenny said residents are not opposed to development on the vacant land, there is strong resistance to temporary commercial accommodation.
“Most of the residents say if this was a properly community-engaged plan – if this was a social housing model with social workers involved – they wouldn’t be doing this,” he said.
He added, “Not one person has contacted me worried about the price of their home, they are worried about the integral value and essence of their suburb.”
The developer’s estimated cost of $1.8 million for the project has also been questioned. “The submission is very lazy, as it notes $1.8 million in the total cost – you would be lucky to build a few houses on that,” Mr. Kenny said.
Traffic impact is another concern, with the application estimating an increase in vehicles from 304 to 375 per hour during afternoon peak times. Residents argue the actual traffic increase could be significantly higher.
Council’s Director of Planning and Liveability, Eric Braslis, stated that the application is still under assessment and all objections will be considered. No decision will be made before Thursday, May 22, allowing time for public consultation.
Kenny indicated that community members plan to continue their opposition regardless ofthe council’s final decision.
“If the councillors vote for it, we will potentially take the council to [the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal],” he said. “If the developer takes council to VCAT we will have a group of volunteers in the community who will continue to push back against it.”
Planning Central was contacted for comment.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality and caravan park sectors, this situation underscores the importance of comprehensive community engagement and transparent planning processes when proposing new developments.
Local sentiment, perceived community value, and infrastructure impact are critical factors that can influence project success or lead to significant resistance.