MIDCOAST Council’s financial pressures, ageing infrastructure and plans for Gloucester Holiday Park were among the key issues discussed at a Community Conversation in Gloucester on Thursday, 5 November.
Mayor Alan Tickle, General Manager Adrian Panuccio, councillors and senior staff met with residents to discuss infrastructure, financial sustainability and local priorities.
Speakers made it clear that maintaining the MidCoast’s extensive road network and ageing infrastructure remains a significant challenge.
Council’s 2026-27 transport network budget of approximately $149 million covers maintenance, capital works and disaster recovery across more than 3600 kilometres of roads and 669 bridges.
Unable to fund all infrastructure needs, Council relies heavily on government grants, prioritising roadworks according to condition, safety, traffic volumes and available funding.
Mr Panuccio said cameras on waste collection vehicles help identify road maintenance priorities.
“I’m passionate about getting the data out,” he said, pointing to Council’s Roads Hub for planned works and maintenance schedules.
Residents can also report road defects and track requests online.
The future of Gloucester Holiday Park generated significant discussion, particularly the proposed multidisciplinary study, for which the council has budgeted $500,000.
Council clarified that this is a budget allocation, not a contracted price, and would come from Property Reserves rather than general rate revenue.
Described as a “jewel in the crown” for local tourism, the park requires investment to address infrastructure problems and regulatory non-compliances, the meeting heard.
The proposed due diligence study would evaluate asset condition, flood risks, and financial viability, and establish the robust business case required to satisfy Office of Local Government guidelines and secure potential external grant funding for future development.
Three options were outlined during the meeting: do nothing, considered unrealistic given existing non-compliances; undertake minimum works to achieve compliance; or invest more substantially to revitalise the park.
Mayor Alan Tickle described Gloucester’s tourist numbers as “astounding”, saying the park could become a “showstopper”.
“We want to make it even better,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Jeremy Miller suggested giving the park “some love and a facelift”.
“We need to spend money to make money,” Mr Miller said.
Council’s Governance Manager, Robert Griffiths, said an improved park could generate returns for Property Reserves and wider economic benefits through tourism, employment and spending across the MidCoast.
However, Anna Burley, CEO of Bucketts Way Neighbourhood Group, raised concerns about residents relying on the park for affordable accommodation, asking what ‘Plan B’ existed if works or redevelopment displaced them.
Her question highlighted growing concerns about housing affordability and homelessness in Gloucester.
The study has also attracted controversy, with three Libertarian councillors lodging a rescission motion seeking to overturn Council’s earlier decision. The matter will return to Council for debate and a vote.
In a separate interview, Mr Panuccio emphasised the importance of regular face-to-face engagement in building community trust.
“You start to build up that trust,” he said, explaining that returning to meet with communities allowed the council to demonstrate progress on community concerns.
By Sonja DUNCAN
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