Campbelltown Council considers forcing residents to get approvals to use remote control boats, planes in parks

GRABBING the kids and heading down to the local park with a remote-controlled boat or plane could soon become much harder — this Adelaide council wants you to come and ask approval first.

Bob Churchill, of Saratoga on the Central Coast of NSW, who has built a replica of the original heritage boat John Oxley (C), at the Mt (Mount) Penang Parklands Dam.

RESIDENTS who want to fly a model plane or sail a remote-control boat at their local park may have to obtain approval from their local council.

But the local residents’ association has dubbed the proposal “idiotic”.

Campbelltown Council agreed this month to consult the community on a change to a local government bylaw which would force any Thorndon Park users who wanted to fly a model plane or sail a motorised ship on the lake to first seek council approval.

Councillor Max Amber proposed the change to the bylaw because he was concerned the council would be sued if an accident with a model plane or ship occurred at the Paradise park.

“Councils are liable for everything these days,” Mr Amber said.

“If someone is flying a model aircraft there and something happens, who will they sue? The council.

“As far as boats are concerned, the boat itself won’t do any damage, but the area around the lake isn’t fenced, so if someone falls in, they will come to the council and say it’s unsafe.

Don’t even think about it.

“The water is contaminated by all the duck poo. If someone can’t get to the boat and they paddle into the water … and they get a sore infected or something, they will come to the council.”

But Campbelltown Residents and Ratepayers Association former president Peter Stainer said unless there had been a serious accident causing injuries or someone had been killed, he didn’t see the need for people to attain a permit.

“It’s a big park with plenty of room down there for people to fly model aeroplanes,” he said.

“I think we’re becoming a total nanny state ... it’s an idiotic idea.”

Mr Stainer was also sceptical about how the permits would be policed, and if it would have a financial burden.

Mr Amber could also not answer questions about how residents could gain council approval or if a fine would be imposed for those who did not.

“I assume they will have to write to the council to get consent,” Cr Amber said.

“We have rangers that patrol the park and those working at the kiosk would probably keep an eye on it.

“We don’t allow cats, dogs or smoking down there, so I don’t think this will affect many people.”

Mr Amber expected consultation on the bylaw to be completed in March and the new rule to be adopted by April.

— with Jade Gailberger