Today marks a major step forward for Lara. Congratulations to Dean, a dedicated local business owner, on receiving planning approval for the Lara Caravan Park.
Dean reached out to me a little while ago to help support this project — an eco-friendly, locally owned development — and I was happy to help.
I wrote a letter of support for this application on behalf of CentreStage, and advocated for the project alongside local councillors. I have no financial interest in it.
I'm publishing the letter in full below, because if I'm going to write about a project I supported, you should be able to read exactly what I said and judge it yourself.
01 / Why it mattersThe north can't capture the visitors it generates.
Here's the problem this solves, and it's one I've watched from the inside for years.
Figure 01 · The accommodation gap
What happens when a region has no beds.
You cannot capture visitor spending in a place visitors cannot stay. That's the entire argument, and it's why this approval is bigger than a caravan park.
02 / What it does for LaraFour flow-on effects.
Local visitors staying here will support our cafés, restaurants and small businesses. Families will rediscover the incredible nature right on our doorstep — including greater participation at Serendip Sanctuary.
That last point matters more than it first appears. Parks Victoria attendance is often directly tied to funding and grant outcomes. More visitors to Serendip means a stronger case for investment in Serendip — which connects directly to the transparency campaign a thousand of us have been running about that site.
Figure 02 · Flow-on
What a caravan park actually delivers locally.
| Effect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Direct local jobs | Dozens of roles in operations, maintenance, grounds and hospitality — the kind of entry-level work Lara currently exports its young people to find. |
| Spending in local businesses | Visitors staying overnight eat, shop and refuel locally. Day-trippers do not. |
| Higher Serendip visitation | Which strengthens the funding case for the sanctuary rather than weakening it. |
| Affordable accommodation | Caravan parks serve workers, families and travellers priced out of hotels — a genuine and long-standing need in an expanding community. |
03 / The letterWhat I actually wrote.
The letter noted Dean's professionalism and community-minded approach, his understanding of responsible planning and meaningful engagement, and his respect for the cultural significance of Wadawurrung Country. It also set out the economic argument above.
Dean stands out as someone who listens actively, engages respectfully and builds genuine partnerships. His commitment to delivering positive outcomes for Lara and the wider region reflects the qualities we value in community leadership.— from the letter of support
04 / The kind of growth I backPractical. Local. Beneficial.
I am proud to have supported Dean on this journey, advocating for the project and working alongside local councillors to keep Lara's needs front and centre.
This is exactly the kind of community-led growth we need. Practical. Local. Beneficial to the people who live here. Not a development imposed on a town, but one proposed by someone who lives in it, employing people from it, serving businesses in it.
Well done Dean, and thank you for backing Lara's future. This is a big win for our town and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
If you run a business in Lara, I'd be interested to hear whether you think you'll see benefit from this — and what else the town needs to actually capture visitor spending rather than watch it drive past on the highway. Email david@centrestage.org.au with "Lara business" in the subject.
