The lease will not be renewed as resolved by Wagga City Council in March 2014, which forms part of the Riverside Master Plan.

In September 2017, the council revealed it would begin work on stage two, intending to re-purpose the Wagga Caravan Park site as part of a grand redevelopment.

Wagga Beach Landscape Plan, which is state two of the master plan, is set to be implemented this year.

The park’s owner, Hampshire Villages, were unavailable for comments.

However, from a city-growth and tourism perspective, Committee 4 Wagga CEO Alan Johnston said “my understanding about stage two of the Riverside project is that it certainly impacts on the beach caravan park”.

“I do understand that council and the lessee of the caravan park are in discussions about where to take it from here,” Mr Johnston said.

“That side of things rest between those two organisations.

“But I think there will be changes in that area, subject to those two parties coming to any agreement.”

Mr Johnston said that overall, the redevelopment was exciting for Wagga.

“It's one of the strategic planning projects we're looking forward to seeing come to fruition,” he said.

“When you combine it with the Bolton Park master plan, the end game is a huge win.”

The $6.7 million redevelopment was granted $5 million state funding last year, with the council to fund the remaining cost.

A September 2018 poll by the Daily Advertiser showed that 52 per cent of almost 500 polled residents were against the plan, while 45 per cent approved the move.

Former resident Mark Henriksen, who was in the city visiting family, said “I like some of the new facilities they’ve added so far to the beach area”.

“So if they’re going to expand, I think it’d be a nice thing.

“And there are other caravan parks, so if anything does happen to the beach park, I’m sure the others would cover.”

However, his partner, Rebecca O’Connor, said she had concerns about the loss of having a family-oriented caravan park.

“We went for a run along the riverbank and commented about how nice it was in the little cabins that had the water views,” she said.

“It’s such a nice place for families to come to stay and have easy access to the river.

“It depends on where the business will move.

“If they do, it’d be nice to still be near the river because Wagga can be such a hot place.”

It has been estimated that when the project is completed, it will contribute to a boost in visitor numbers by 10 per cent to 1.42 million per annum and deliver additional spending of $79 million per annum to Wagga’s economy.

Wagga Mayor Greg Conkey said he understood that some may be disappointed about the impact on the caravan park.

“A lot of people use it as it’s in the central precinct,” Cr Conkey said.

“I appreciate that it has had good patronage numbers over the years, so a lot of visitors would be disappointed that it’s closing.

“However, we need to look at the overall picture – it would free up areas for residents and visitors to the city.

“It’s a project in beautifying that area and it would be a major attraction to the city.”

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