Caravan park idea for airport, raceway

A 55-SITE caravan park at Lara could soon start construction as the City of Greater Geelong considers a planning application.

The proposed park would be at a Princes Highway-fronting site west of the town, immediately south of Avalon Raceway and nearby the entrance to Avalon Airport.

The 14.86-hecatre site is in farm-zoned land and includes a greyhound track and associated buildings that has been used as a training centre, which would remain under the current proposal.

Planners said in their application that the camping complex would primarily serve Avalon passengers and tourists such as for events at the Raceway and its Motor Sports Centre.

“The proposal will be a positive addition to the variety of tourist accommodation offerings within the area, attracting more visitors to the region … (and) would have a significant positive economic impact to the surrounding area,” planners said.

The site would include 36 portable cabins, 10 ensuite sites and nine powered caravan spots, alongside recreation facilities, a camp kitchen and an amenities block.

Construction would happen to the north of the greyhound facilities, leaving the south-east corner open to due to flood risk from a co-located dam.

The application comes as COGG is considering establishing its own caravan park in Geelong’s north to cater for an expected spike in demand when Spirit of Tasmania begins ferrying passengers to and from the city later this year.

Public comment on the Lara plans closed this week.