A SEASIDE town's pub on Queensland's Burrum Coast will soon be doubling
as a caravan park.
Bundaberg Regional Council has given the green light for the Woodgate
Beach Hotel south of Bundaberg to incorporate a 27-site tourist park.
Locals are said to have welcomed the decision, hoping it would bring more
people to the town.
And local councillor Bill Trevor said the approved development would offer
visitors to Woodgate further enticement to stay longer in the area.
"At peak times, the Bundaberg region struggles to meet demand for
accommodation," he explained.
"Approval of a tourist park at Woodgate will provide visitors with more
options to stay in the region."
The one hectare site will be developed in five stages, the first beginning
this month.
The council has ruled that its temporary ablution facilities must be
replaced with a permanent block and camp kitchen before the start of the
second stage or within 18 months of opening, whichever occurs first.
Tourists will be able to stay for up to 14 days, with no permanent
residents allowed.
Planning and Development spokesman Councillor Ross Sommerfeld said
approval included a condition for the developer to provide a flood and
storm tide evacuation plan for the site.
This would ensure any potential risk to people and damage to property was
avoided or minimised.
"In response to concerns regarding general amenity and the privacy of
neighbours in nearby residential areas, consideration has been given to
appropriate fencing, landscaping and buffers," he said.
"Approval has been provided subject to the provision of 1.8m fencing along
the full length of any property boundary adjoining an existing residential
use and a 3-metre wide landscaping strip to the front and side and rear
property boundaries."
