Yankalilla Council hits back at legal bid to close Rapid Bay campground, calls for management expressions of interest

A seaside council has responded to a resident’s bid to close the popular Rapid Bay holiday campground – but campers will have to wait until August until its future is set.

The future of Rapid Bay’s much-loved campground will be decided by September, as Yankalilla Council deals with a ratepayer’s legal bid to close the site.

The council’s lawyer has responded to a legal letter from the ratepayer, saying its use of the land as a campsite is lawful and will continue.

Yankalilla has also called for expressions of interest from people interested in managing the site, as the current arrangement is due to expire on September 30.

It followed a report to the council in May, which said chief executive Nigel Morris had received a letter from a law firm acting for a Cygnet Place resident asking the council to immediately close the campground.

Yankalilla Council will consider the future of Rapid Bay’s campground in August or September. Picture: Everest Photography

The ratepayer asked for the council to “immediately refrain from causing suffering or permitting the use of the subject land for a public access camping and caravan ground”.

Some residents had previously raised concerns about noise and rubbish, but elected members were worried that if the site was officially closed, people would camp there anyway.

In response, a Change.org petition was started calling for the campsite to stay open.

It has now been signed by more than 8700 people.

Mr Morris this week said in August or September, councillors would consider a report on the pros and cons of camping continuing at Rapid Bay, and the results of a call for expressions of interest from potential campsite managers.

The Rapid Bay campground, which can accommodate up to 900 people at once.

“(The) council, however, understand the massive amount of support received … on the huge desire to keep the campground open and the love of South Australia and the world for this amazing location,” he said.

Tender documents show the council is looking to enter into an agreement with a manager for up to five years.

“The jetty provides a major attraction for nature-based activities and the council-owned camping site … provides an ideal getaway for adventurers, nature-lovers and people wanting to “get away” from it all,” the documents state.

The manager’s responsibilities would include dune restoration work, potential projects to beautify the foreshore and work to “coexist with the local residents” on issues including campground security, noise and rubbish removal.

Expressions of interest for the management contract are due on July 30.

[e-mail]