3 days ago
Changes at Licola's caravan park and store prompt 'intimidating' threats
Nestled on the banks of the picturesque Macalister River, Licola is a popular stop for four-wheel drivers, motorcyclists and caravanners heading bush to explore Victoria's rugged Alpine National Park.
But changes to how the town's store and caravan park will be managed have upset locals and tourists.
With a population of about 15, the entire town — including store and caravan park — is privately owned by the Lions Club.
Earlier this year, the Licola Wilderness Village board announced it would not renew the lease held by shopkeeper Leanne O'Donnell.
And at the caravan park, guests can no longer pay an annual fee to leave their van year-round.
"We're trying to keep Licola going," board secretary Stephen Boyes said.
Mr Boyes said the changes had caused so much anger that staff at a nearby camp run by the Lions Club had been threatened.
Mr Boyes acknowledged the previous operator Leanne O' Donnell had run the shop well, but said the lease had been financially unsustainable for the board.
"We're on track to lose about $50,000 this year just maintaining that side of the road," he said.
Mr Boyes said the change in management would include introducing 24-hour access to fuel at the store.
"We are looking to put an after-hours card payment in on fuel," he said.
"The operations will be very much the same. Fuel will remain a major part."
The caravan park will temporarily close next year for upgrades, including a new layout for tourist stays, an upgraded power system and a modern camp kitchen.
There will be 40 powered sites and 10 riverfront camp sites available by early next year, but annual sites will be removed.
"We will be looking to run it as a tourist caravan park … it wouldn't have annuals in [it]. It would be just for short-term stays," Mr Boyes said.
"We're doing this to improve viability.
"When sites are permanently taken but not occupied, that limits how many visitors we can actually host."
Licola is about three hours' drive east of Melbourne and is the only privately owned town in Victoria.
All of the facilities in Licola were bought by Lions Club New South Wales and Victoria in 1969 to keep the town alive.
The group established Licola Wilderness Village, a camping site that hosts camps for disadvantaged students, which is separate from the caravan park and sits opposite the shop.
Mr Boyes said the changes at the general store and caravan park had prompted anger and backlash directed at innocent staff.
Mr Boyes said staff at the Licola Wilderness Village camp were getting threats in emails and in person.
"We are getting close to a point where we think we may have to remove our staff from the village for a while," he said.
Mr Boyes said he wanted locals to understand the board was working in the best interest of Licola.
"We have a responsibility under the Corporations Act to act in the best interests of the entity," he said.
