RV issue clarified

January 19, 2012

GUNNEDAh Shire Council has moved quickly to clarify what it terms “misconceptions” over the Recreational Vehicle (RV) camping issue at the Showground.

Council General Manager, Robert Campbell, said today camping had been suspended at the Showground to ensure basic services, safety and regulatory standards were met and satisfied and formal approval obtained from the Catchment and Lands Office of the NSW Department of Primary Industry.

Mr Campbell was responding to claims Gunnedah was not a “Recreational Vehicle friendly town” after an RV website, Caravaners Forum, slammed the lack of facilities in the town.

“It is important to understand that council was appointed manager of the crown reserve by the NSW Government, which owns the Showground,” Mr Campbell said.

“Council must act within the law and the directions of the NSW Department of Primary Industry’s Catchment and Lands Office.

“The Trust is working with users to better plans and get maximum use out of this facility, for a wide range of user groups.

“Without effective asset management, we will be in big strife in five to 10 years so we must improve this facility.”

Mr Campbell said following direction from the Catchment and Lands Office in mid December, council, as the Reserve Trust Manager, stopped itinerant camping on the site unless that camping was associated with a Showground.

“This including equestrian events, the annual Show, dog show and circuses, or events subject of a temporary specific licence issued by the Reserve Trust,” Mr Campbell added.

“As a result access was restricted by via the South Street entrance, was closed.

“The Reserve Trust has been conscious and sympathetic of the disruption and difficulty this has caused to campers.

“We did issue temporary occupation licences to two large bus-type RVs to assist in their transition to an alternative camping site, because there were no other suitable locations for vehicles of this size.

“The sewerage dumping point facility will be accessible from South Street from this Monday, however, itinerant camping on the Showground will not be permitted.

“The Reserve Trust is working towards improving the amenity and compliance of a section of the reserve for itinerant campers and this will involve establishing a defined area and an additional sewerage dump point, subject to the relevant approvals from the Catchment and Lands Office.

“Council has established a Committee of Management for the Showground Reserve and has had a Plan of Management approved by Catchment and Lands.

“We will be providing a long-term Asset Management Plan for the Showground and we are being proactive in involving all the user groups in the process.

“This area, of course, will never become a caravan park.

“The provision of an approved and compliant primitive camping ground will ensure that necessary safety, as well as health and amenity issues, are addressed.

“This will involve the installation of fire safety equipment such as fire hose reels, ensuring electrical supply provision needs meet safety standards and appropriate amenities are available.

“Council recognises the importance of providing quality and accessible facilities for recreational vehicles and those seeking short-term camping options in Gunnedah and we are working towards a facility that complies with all the necessary standards. We want to be known as an RV Friendly Town.”

It was anticipated that the upgraded facility would be operational by the end of March this year.