'We just want to give this the best shot we can'

A VICTORIAN caravan park virtually swept away in the 2011 floods has a new management team, and it's raring to go!.

Loddon Shire Council spent millions on turning the wrecked Bridgewater Public Caravan Park into a state-of-the-art facility.

New joint managers Jacquie Dunn and her parents, Jim and Pat Clee, assisted by Nathan Pilcher, have taken over the reins at the 115-site park and are already brimming with ideas.

All come with solid experience in business, the council said.

Ms Dunn has worked most recently with Bendigo Bank and Mr Pilcher in the retail sector, while the Clees own Inglewood Aged Beef in Brooke St, having been involved in retail butchering for 40 years.

They also run a food trucking business and employ 20 staff in all.

"Jacquie will be managing the park with grounds maintenance assistance from Nathan and we are her back-up," Mr Clee said.

"Our main motivation in applying for the role was to help boost tourism in the area.

"Our research has shown that people are coming in for one night, but we want to extend those stays to two or three days."

The new team has already suggested ideas such as hiring pushbikes, golf clubs, bowling balls, fishing gear, canoes and a pontoon on the river.

"There are great bike and canoe trails within the Loddon Shire that need to be utilised to their full potential," Mr Clee said.

"That way, we're providing the kind of experiences that will keep people here longer."

Ms Dunn said she planned to involve the community by approaching local clubs and groups for their co-operation.

"Our hope is to make something that's good even better and work with the community to use assets that already exist," she said.

"All this equipment will eventually be available to caravan park customers.

"We just want to give this the best shot we can."

Loddon Shire tourism and marketing officer Robyn Vella thought the ideas proposed by the new park managers would fill a gap in the Loddon Valley's tourism offerings.

"The region has its natural attractions, but providing infrastructure so visitors don't have to bring their own recreational equipment makes our region even more appealing," she said.

"I look forward in working with them towards obtaining the appropriate permits so that these opportunities can come to fruition."

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