We acknowledge and respect the Eastern Maar as Rights Holders of the area where the Kennett River Caravan Park stands and acknowledge their cultural knowledge that has led to sustainable practices and cared for Country over tens and thousands of years.

Thank you to those that joined us for a chat and those who completed our survey, designed to capture what campers, visitors, and locals enjoy, value and envision for the future of the caravan park.

Community engagement for the Kennett River Family Caravan Park Masterplan is ongoing, with a draft masterplan due to be presented to the community in 2024.

A brief overview of engagement so far:

We wanted to find out what was important to campers, visitors, and locals to inform a draft masterplan for the caravan park. To achieve this, we have been collecting community feedback since December 2023 and will continue to engage as the design process continues.

In December 2023, as part of a wider survey on the Kennett River Precinct, we asked you general questions about your values and this is what we heard:

• “The park is pivotal to the community’s love of the Great Ocean Road. People who cannot afford to buy but who love the Great Ocean Road all the same should have opportunity, amenity, high grade facilities and welcome home feel.
• “There is a need to improve septic systems that meet EPA standards / guidelines.
• “Keep the focus on simplicity and natural elements.
• “Campers appreciate the caravan park’s family friendly atmosphere.”

On Easter Saturday (March 30) the team dropped into the caravan park to inform campers of key project information and to seek feedback on what they loved about the park and if there were any areas that could be improved.

In meeting with more than 90 campers, we heard the park is loved due to its natural environment, lack of hard infrastructure, easy access to the beach, fire pits, and the peaceful family-friendly atmosphere.

Suggestions included:

More amenities with an emphasis on hot outdoor shower options

Natural materials for internal road networks and buildings

Increased vegetation and green grass on sites

Improved waste management options, don’t make waste disposal areas an eyesore

Increased green space / common areas for family and sporting activities

More kitchen sinks and washing areas

Improved dump sites (potentially on site as well as one central dump point).