Wollongong City Council has revealed plans to conduct a wide-ranging review of its tourist accommodation parks in a bid to shore them up for the future.
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The council has put out a call for tenders to develop a master plan for each of the three parks, located at Bulli, Corrimal and Windang, with a view to increasing their current patronage and ensuring they remain competitive against other similar operations along the South Coast.
Tender documents on the council's website call for suitably qualified consultants to put their hat in the ring, with the applicants to be judged on their knowledge of the tourism/holiday park accommodation sector, previous similar experience and proposed cost to the council.
The successful tenderer will be given 4½ months to complete the three master plans, which must address future growth and sustainability over the next decade.
The council has stipulated that it wants the plans to target how the parks can attract a broader range of tourists, be family friendly and highlight their picturesque locations while being environmentally sensitive.
All the plans must be developed with the view to the parks attaining a minimum AAA Tourism rating of four stars.
The tenderers will be required to speak to several different groups in developing the plan, including Crown Lands, Destination Wollongong and the Caravan and Camping Industry Association.
Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh welcomed the plans, saying high quality, diversified accommodation was vital to a vibrant visitor economy.
"Tourist parks play an important part in this model," he said.
"Historically, tourist parks on the South Coast have been synonymous with family holidays to enjoy our beaches and the physical location of the tourist parks makes them perfectly positioned to cater for the short break market.
"More recently, a new market has emerged with the rapid growth of our major event program, and groups looking to travel together to these events.
"The self catering options, and barbecue facilities available at tourist parks are perfect for this market, and we expect the opportunities for tourist parks will continue to grow."
Mr Sleigh said it was important that tourist parks continued to evolve and provide a wider range of facilities and services for guests.
