Moyne Shire is dedicating more than $380,000 to tourist park upgrades over the next financial year.
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The council will fund work to Port Fairy and Yambuk caravan parks as part of its 2018-19 budget.
Funding includes the reconstruction of toilets at Port Fairy’s Southcombe Park ($150,000) and an update of cabins ($150,000) camp kitchen ($40,000) and playground ($29,000) at Gardens Oval Caravan Park.
Yambuk Caravan Park’s kitchen is in line for a $15,000 upgrade.
Moyne Shire is spending more than $3.3 million on its caravan parks this financial year, with an expected profit of $54,000. The council returns 33 per cent of the dividend at its Port Fairy caravan parks to general council revenue.
Moyne Shire mayor Mick Wolfe said investment on caravan parks was money well spent.
“It is a competitive world when it comes to the tourism industry so we have to make sure we are doing all the right things,” Cr Wolfe said.
“It’s good to get people here for one time but you need to get those return visits and that word of mouth that Port Fairy is a great place to stay.
“Investing in upgrading our caravan park facilities will help get those return visits.
“Young families are a big part of our tourism trade and the caravan parks are an affordable option for them to stay.”
Port Fairy Tourism Inc president Jenni Hider-Smith praised council’s commitment to ensuring the town remained a holiday destination of choice.
“We have a really good relationship with council at the moment, I’d say it’s the best we have ever had,” Ms Hider-Smith said.
“That is because of the work done by Adam Boyle (council’s manager corporate business and tourism), he is so supportive and sees the benefit of tourism to Port Fairy.”
The Moyne Shire operates other caravan parks including Killarney, Koroit and Mortlake.