Willow Bend Caravan Park to close for 2022 upgrade

WENTWORTH’s Willow Bend Caravan Park will close early next year to begin its major and long-awaited upgrade.

Following consultation with the park’s managers, Wentworth Shire Council made the decision to close the park from January 31 next year so upgrade works can begin the following month.

Previously the upgrade was proposed to happen in two stages to streamline construction and cause less disruption to the business.

However, since the recent announcement of grant funding from the Drought Community Extension Fund and Crown Reserves Improvement Fund, the council has the ability to facilitate the required upgrade in a single-stage approach.

Wentworth Shire is expecting plans and specifications for the upgrade to be completed by the end of this month.

Mayor Susan Nichols said she looked forward to the upgrade’s completion.

“In this COVID-19 affected era we have seen how important regional tourism will be now that international travel isn’t a viable option,” Cr Nichols said.

“By closing down the Willow Bend Caravan Park and completing the upgrade in one stage we can get the park back to full capacity sooner and welcome more visitors to stay in our shire.”

At last month’s ordinary meeting, the council decided to endorse the detailed site plans of the project works to enable the project to move to the tender stage.

To date the council has completed preliminary works, including a survey of the site, fencing, demolition of the old residence and the replacement of the residence and office.

The old camp kitchen has been moved and replaced and an electrical upgrade carried out to support future expansion.

In January it was announced the caravan park had secured $2.5 million to upgrade the park, which included a $1.5 million loan and a $1 million grant to replace and upgrade power, water and sewerage infrastructure and construct a new laundry and kitchen through the NSW Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.