ONE of the last caravan parks in Redland City will close to tourists when Redlands Mobile Village on Collingwood Road, Birkdale, is converted into a retirement village next year.
Already Gateway Lifestyle Residential Parks has started the five-stage redevelopment of its 3.7ha site and has renamed the park Gateway Lifestyle Redlands.
Redland City's two other caravan parks Greenacres Caravan Park at Mount Cotton Road, Capalaba, and Thorneside Mobile Park, in Mond Street are predominately parks for permanent caravan residents and tourist caravan sites are not often vacant.
Greenacres manager Diane Gilchrist said her park had eight powered tourist caravan sites and seven tourist cabins which were often booked out in advance.
"We have a lot of people stay when there are events on at Sirromet or sporting events at Victoria Point but people must book in advance on Ozzyparks.com.au," Ms Gilchrist said.
Permanent resident Grant Croker, who originally opposed the plan, said he now supported the redevelopment and had bought one of the older manufactured homes onsite.
"Everyone is for this redevelopment even those who have been relocated to cater for the Stage 1 housing," Mr Croker said.
"This is providing affordable living for older people who want a community lifestyle but still live in their own home."
Redland City Council Division 10 councillor Paul Bishop said it was a shame the caravan park would no longer exist after the redevelopment, but was glad it would provide much-needed affordable living.
"It will be the end of an era in Redlands but as far as I can ascertain, everyone has been successfully relocated and are happy with the redevelopment plans.
"We need a diversity of accommodation options in this city and these parks offer affordable living to people who don't want to go into Housing Commission and don't want to rack up a huge debt."
Park owner Gateway Lifestyle Residential Parks said it would close 16 caravan sites after 17 home units were relocated in its five-year multi-phase plan.
Five mobile home residents were relocated onsite in August to allow the front of the property to be sub-divided into three 670sqm blocks, each of which will house three villas.
Eight of the stage 1villas are for sale with an average price of $290,000, depending on lot sizes ranging from 230sqm to 420sqm. The ninth villa is a display home open for viewing.
Gateway director Trent Ottawa said mobile park accommodation was emerging as a viable retirement alternative.
"It offers high-quality new homes without the cost of buying land and frees up capital, allowing people to enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle."
