Council says Beerwah Sportsground to be permanently closed, explores alternatives
By Kirra Livingstone
CAMPING and caravan enthusiasts face a prolonged wait for camping options in the lower hinterland, as the Sunshine Coast Council has confirmed the Beerwah Sportsground campsite will remain closed indefinitely.
Division 1 Councillor Jenny Broderick said the site is no longer available for permanent camping.
“As the Sportsground is now unavailable as a permanent camping site, I would hope that we will be able to find an appropriate area within our Hinterland area for our drive-through tourists,” she said.
“For several significant and appropriate reasons, the Beerwah Sportsground, at this stage, will not re-open as a full-time public camping site.
“However, camping is still available for permitted events; groups can apply to Council for permits for short-stay camping at the Sportsground.”
Beerwah Bulldogs president Kurt Quinn called the decision to keep the camping closed “ridiculous”, arguing that the absence of campers has hurt the local economy and community.
“People who used to camp at the Sportsground were kind of like security, having a presence at the clubhouse throughout the week when the Bulldogs committee weren’t there,” he said.
“On the weekends, a lot of the campers would come over and watch our home games when they were on, maybe buy some food or drinks while they were there too.
“Those tourists would have brought a lot of money into Beerwah, eating at the local pub, getting takeaway food at restaurants, and now we don’t have that.”
Cr Broderick said she had raised the lack of camping options with Council officers.
“I have certainly brought the lack of camping options available up with our Council officers and have asked for them to seek out appropriate location options, particularly for our drive tourism, as it’s essential economy for our Hinterland townships,” she said. The campsite closed in May 2023 after the Beerwah Sportsground Management Committee dissolved and handed over tenure to Council.
Council then secured a third party to manage the site, but the contract was abruptly revoked in June 2023.
kirra@gcnews.com.au