Tourism looking
PROPOSAL FOR CARAVAN PARK AT HOMESTEAD
PLANS for a new caravan park near Katherine could breathe new life into a part of the Springvale Homestead.
A proposal put forward by private owner Michael Shepherd will beef up the popular camping spot into a caravanning destination.
The area for the proposed caravan park is on a site that was previously part of the Springvale Homestead before its subdivision in 1973, and has been used as a campground since.
Now Mr Shepherd, who bought the land last year, is looking to establish the location for caravanners, and with almost 25ha to play with on the banks of the Katherine River, has the space and aesthetic to attract people looking for a self-contained holiday.
The proposed site would be open in the dry season only, and be set up to cater for guests with self-contained caravans and campervans, with dry camping not available.
The proposal states the caravan will “bring underutilised land into economic use to the benefit of the tourist economy”.
Access to the facility from Katherine would be from Shadforth Rd.
Plans show an office and recreation area, multiple dwellings and a camp kitchen and barbecue area dotted around the site.
There would be 20 caravan spots in total, located only metres from the Katherine River.
The existing campground at the site of the Springvale Homestead has been well used since its establishment in 1973.
The planning application notes “its original owner and subsequent owner developed and operated it as a religious destination which provided camping and convention space”.
The application notes it had played host to over 1000 guests simultaneously “at times”.
Given its proximity to the Katherine River, the proposed facility would be closed between November and April. The application notes the site is within areas that are subject to flooding risks.
The development application argued that the addition of caravan facilities would constitute an additional tourist attraction that “will help address unmet need and in doing so support the purpose of the (Katherine Land Use Plan 2014)”.