Hello community,

The proposed development for a Caravan Park being developed around the new Market at 425 Point Cook Road has caused a lot of dismay among many local community group. This development poses multiple risks to Point Cook, community safety, particularly for children, the elderly, environment, increased crime and local business, to mention a few concerns.

This letter has been drafted to ideally represent the community and ensure Wyndham City Council do not allow this Caravan Park Development to proceed in any way (Wyndham Application ID: WYP14922/25)

SEE BELOW FOR FULL COMMUNITY OBJECTION TO DEVELOPMENT

Please complete & sign the petition ensuring your spread the word to the entire Point Cook Community.

Together, we can protect our living environment and community.

The Planning Department
Wyndham City Council
45 Princes Highway
Werribee, VIC 3030 

Subject: Objection to Planning Application WYP14922/25 – Proposed Caravan Park at 425 Point Cook Road, Point Cook, VIC 3030 

Dear Sir/Madam, 

We are writing to formally object to the proposed caravan park development at 425 Point Cook Road, Point Cook, under planning application WYP14922/25. As residents of the Point Cook community, we have grave concerns about the development’s incompatibility with the area’s character, its non-compliance with council regulations, and its potential to harm the community, environment, and local economy. Drawing on community feedback and evidence, we highlight issues related to the non-tourist nature of the area, environmental damage, traffic congestion, inadequate traffic studies, rising crime, impacts on local businesses, risks to children at nearby schools, and the likelihood of the caravan park being used for unregulated emergency or rehabilitation accommodation. We urge the Wyndham City Council to reject this application fully with no mitigation, to protect the wellbeing, safety, and sustainability of our community. 

1. Non-Compliance with Council Regulations and Planning Permission Rules

The proposed caravan park does not align with the Wyndham City Council’s planning framework, as outlined in the Wyndham Planning Scheme and the Point Cook Concept Plan. Clause 21.06 of the Wyndham Planning Scheme emphasizes developments that enhance residential amenity, support community cohesion, and protect environmental assets. The proposed caravan park, intended for a transient, lower socio-economic demographic, conflicts with these objectives by introducing a use that is likely to disrupt the family-oriented character of Point Cook and strain local infrastructure. Furthermore, the application fails to demonstrate compliance with Clause 52.24 (Caravan and Camping Parks), which requires adequate consideration of environmental impacts, traffic management, and community safety. The lack of comprehensive studies addressing these requirements suggests that the application does not meet the council’s rigorous planning standards. We request that the council provide evidence of how the proposal satisfies these regulations or reject it on grounds of non-compliance. 

2. Unsuitability of the Area and Lack of Tourism Demand

Point Cook is a residential suburb, not a tourist destination, and the proposed caravan park is poorly suited to the area’s character. Community feedback consistently emphasizes Point Cook’s appeal as a family-friendly, residential hub, with no significant tourism infrastructure to justify a caravan park (Homely.com.au, 2022). Moreover, a nearby resort, Season5 (Quality Hotel Point Cook) operates well below full capacity, indicating low demand for short-term accommodation in the area. Introducing a caravan park in a non-tourist area risks creating a facility that serves unintended purposes, such as emergency accommodation or drug rehabilitation housing, which are poorly regulated and pose significant risks to the community. Even if the caravan park is restricted to short-term stays, community feedback highlights that such restrictions are rarely enforced effectively, as seen in other Wyndham and wider Victoria developments where transient populations have led to prolonged social issues (Homely.com.au, 2022). The council must prioritise developments that align with Point Cook’s residential identity and avoid speculative projects with no clear community benefit. 

3. Environmental Damage to Local Wildlife, Parks, and Waterways

The proposed site is located near multiple parks and waterways, including the Point Cook Coastal Park and Cheetham Wetlands, which are critical habitats for native wildlife such as migratory birds and aquatic species. The Wyndham Planning Scheme (Clause 12.01) mandates the protection of biodiversity and environmentally sensitive areas, yet the application lacks a thorough environmental impact assessment. Community feedback underscores the importance of preserving these natural assets, with residents valuing the area’s green spaces for recreation and ecological significance (Wyndham City Council, The Loop, 2025). The construction and operation of a caravan park, with increased vehicle traffic, waste generation, and potential runoff into waterways, threatens irreversible damage to local ecosystems. Without robust mitigation measures and independent environmental studies, the development violates council regulations and jeopardises community expectations for sustainable development. 

4. Community Feedback and Social Risks

Community sentiment, as expressed on platforms like Homely.com.au and The Loop, strongly opposes developments that undermine Point Cook’s family-oriented character. Residents have voiced concerns about transient populations contributing to antisocial behaviour, particularly in nearby Wyndham Vale, where similar demographics have strained community cohesion (Homely.com.au, 2022). The caravan park’s proximity to a retirement village raises serious concerns for elderly residents, who value peace and security. Similarly, the proposed StarrPoint market, intended to attract premium customers and growth, risks losing appeal due to the presence of a caravan park, which may deter visitors. The nearby childcare centre and three schools—Alamanda College, Saltwater P-9 College, and Homestead Senior Secondary College, not to mention other schools—face heightened risks from a transient population, particularly if the park is used for emergency or rehabilitation accommodation. Such uses, which are difficult to regulate, could introduce vulnerabilities such as drug-related issues or antisocial behaviour, putting retirees, children, and families at risk. The schools are already continually growing at a rate that impedes child development & educational outcomes. In the event residents of the proposed caravan park list their address within a school catchment, the schools have no choice but to accept children of families that do not align with the cultural and community standards of the Point Cook Community. The council must heed community concerns and prioritise developments that foster safety and stability. 

5. Traffic Congestion and Inadequate Traffic Studies

Point Cook Road is already heavily congested, with residents reporting significant delays during peak hours. Recant improvements to Point Cook Road only serve to ease an already overly congested situation. The caravan park, likely to generate additional vehicle trips from residents, visitors, and service providers, will exacerbate this issue. The application’s traffic studies are inadequate, failing to account for cumulative impacts from other developments, such as the boutique market and ongoing residential growth. Clause 18.01 of the Wyndham Planning Scheme requires developments to demonstrate minimal disruption to transport networks, yet the lack of a comprehensive traffic impact assessment suggests non-compliance. Community feedback highlights frustration with poor infrastructure planning, and an independent traffic study is essential to evaluate the proposal’s feasibility. 

6. Increased Crime and Inadequate Mitigation

Point Cook is grappling with high crime rates, including property theft and hoon driving, which local police struggle to manage. The new proposed police station nearby is unlikely to mitigate the additional risks posed by a transient, lower socio-economic demographic, particularly if the caravan park becomes a hub for emergency or rehabilitation accommodation. Community feedback notes that police resources are already stretched, with residents describing law enforcement as “too far to do anything” about local issues (Homely.com.au, 2022). Introducing a population with potential social vulnerabilities violates the council’s commitment to community safety (Clause 21.04) and threatens vulnerable groups, including retirees and students at nearby schools. 

7. Damage to Local Businesses

The caravan park threatens the viability of local businesses, particularly the proposed StarrPoint market and existing retail in Point Cook Town Centre, Tribeca Village, Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre and others. Community campaigns like “Love Wyndham? Love Your Local!” emphasise the importance of supporting local commerce (Wyndham City Council, 2025). However, a caravan park, especially one associated with transient or high-risk populations, could deter customers due to safety concerns and reduced aesthetic appeal. This conflicts with Clause 17.01 of the Wyndham Planning Scheme, which promotes economic vitality and vibrant commercial precincts. 

8. Risks to Children at Nearby Schools

The proximity of Alamanda College, Saltwater P-9 College, and Homestead Senior Secondary College to the proposed site raises significant safety concerns. Community feedback underscores the importance of protecting children, with parents prioritizing secure environments (Homely.com.au, 2022). The potential for the caravan park to house emergency or rehabilitation occupants, coupled with poor regulation of short-term stays, increases risks of antisocial behaviour that could endanger students. The application lacks a risk assessment addressing these concerns, failing to comply with council requirements for community safety. 

Conclusion

The proposed caravan park at 425 Point Cook Road (WYP14922/25) is incompatible with Point Cook’s residential character, violates Wyndham City Council’s planning regulations, and poses unacceptable risks to the community, environment, and economy. Community feedback opposes developments that exacerbate traffic, crime, and social issues, while the non-tourist nature of the area, environmental sensitivities, and proximity to schools, a retirement village, and a childcare centre amplify the proposal’s unsuitability. The application’s failure to provide adequate traffic, environmental, and safety studies further demonstrates non-compliance with the Wyndham Planning Scheme. 

We urge the council to reject this application and explore alternative uses for the site, such as community facilities or green spaces, that align with Point Cook’s vision as a safe, family-oriented suburb. Should the council consider proceeding, we request independent assessments of traffic, environmental, and social impacts, alongside rigorous community consultation. No approval should be given until the community has given their support.

Thank you for considering this objection. We are open to discuss our concerns, preferably in an open forum and pubic environment, where media will be invited to attend.

We trust the council will prioritise the community’s wellbeing in its decision. 

Yours sincerely,
Point Cook Residents 

Thank you