A COUNCIL is attempting to save a struggling caravan park on the banks of Lake Hume in north-eastern Victoria.

Visitor numbers at the 147-site Tallangatta Holiday Park have taken a dramatic nosedive during the last decade, despite caravan registrations soaring.

Towong Shire Council is now keen to take over the struggling park ‒ owned and managed by Goulburn-Murray Water ‒ which was historically a popular holiday destination for young families and older people.

In a report, economic development manager Lauren Elvin told councillors at their last meeting: "There was a period of instability in the park's management and the community was concerned that it may close.

"In response to these concerns, the council made a decision to investigate the long term viability of the park, as well as options for its development should an opportunity arise to acquire the management rights."

A planning report, prepared for the council by Southern Cross Parks, suggested that given the importance of the park to the town and region as a whole, the authority should consider its future management and redevelopment.

"Facilities at the Tallangatta Holiday Park are well below industry standards and significant improvements are needed to deliver a quality and consistent guest experience," it said.

The park needed to be better presented with a new toilets, new level drive-through sites, new camp kitchen and a playground.

The report believed that the council should remain a partner in any leasing agreement.

"Research shows the model would provide a lessee with a suitable rate of commercial return in the medium to long term," it said.

"There are a number of management couples who would express interest if the park was to be tendered out."

Towong Mayor David Wortmann thought the park had been neglected but said it was an important facility for the area.

"It struggled a bit during the drought due to a lack of water, but the water levels have been quite good over the past few years," he said.

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