Lara caravan park plan

Bid to build complex next to Avalon Raceway, dog track

DEVELOPERS have unveiled plans to build a caravan and camping park in the city’s north, metres from Avalon Raceway and a greyhound racing track.

A planning application lodged with the City of Greater Geelong has revealed the bid to build 55 cabins and caravan sites on the Gillets Rd, Lara, property immediately south of the raceway.

The 150,000sq m property – which is in a farming zone – includes a greyhound racing track, associated infrastructure and a house on its southwest corner, with the remainder of the land vacant.

“The intent is to develop a caravan and camping park in the northwest corner of the site, targeting visitors to the adjoining Avalon Raceway to the north and passengers travelling to the area in order to fly from nearby Avalon Airport,” planning documents submitted to the CoGG noted.

“The complex will comprise of 36 cabins, 10 ensuite sites and nine powered sites.

“The cabins will be prefabricated UMDs (unregistered movable dwellings) brought on to the site.

“A reception building will be located close to the entry/exit to the site along Gillets Rd.”

Developers argued the site would be an “ideal and appropriate location” for a caravan and camping park as it was only 1.4km from Avalon Airport, 18km from central Geelong and immediately next to the Avalon Raceway.

“It is intended that passengers utilising the airport facilities can stay at the camping and caravan park, and be close to the airport,” planning documents noted. “This will particularly be convenient for passengers travelling to the area from regional areas.

“The caravan and camping facility will support and strengthen the functions of Avalon Airport and meet the needs of the local and surrounding population by providing accommodation close to the airport.”

The application comes days after a separate application was lodged with the city to build a $3.8m caravan park on the Bellarine Peninsula.

The project, to be located south of the Pelican Shores Estate retirement village on Clifton Ave, Leopold, is earmarked to include spaces for 37 cabin accommodation sites, 26 powered sites with ensuites, 14 powered sites and nine RV “drive-throughs”.

The Lara planning application will remain open for public feedback until May 26.