Splitters Farm expansion in limbo after Bundaberg council decision

One of Queensland’s most popular “glamping” businesses will take its fight against a local council to court after a divisive decision threw the farmstay’s future into turmoil. VIDEO, PHOTOS.

A proposed expansion of Splitters Farm, a “glamping” and animal paradise on sprawling grounds near Bundaberg has not been approved by Council, clouding the future of the existing business.

The owner of the popular tourism business now plans to take the Bundaberg Regional Council to court.

She had applied to change the “use” of the land so it could allow for a 140- capacity function centre, a caretaker’s cottage (understood to already be under construction) an additional 39 powered camp sites and eight more safari tents (on top of the eight existing) bringing the total capacity of the accommodation to 270 people.

The sticking point for the application was the increased traffic that would be attracted by the expanded development along Blairs Road – the 2km partly unsealed access road to Splitters Farm.

Splitters Farm, Queensland.

In April 2022, the council issued an information request informing Splitters Farm that they were required to upgrade Blairs Road to a fully sealed road to a width of 7 metres.

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In response, legal advice obtained by Splitters Farm stating that the cost of upgrading the road to meet Council’s requirements would be $2 – 3m, would “place an unreasonable financial burden” on the business given the road was used by more than 30 other properties.

The issue had broad exposure on social media, with the Bundaberg Regional Ratepayer Association encouraging the public to attend Tuesday’s meeting where the council would be making the decision on the application.

In Tuesday’s meeting before a full gallery of 40 members of the public, Mayor Jack Dempsey moved that Council approve the caretaker’s accommodation included in the application subject to conditions, but refuse the other parts of the application including the tourist attraction, tourist park and function centre.

While Councilor Bartel said the council could not be expected to bear the cost of the road upgrade, Councillor Greg Barnes said the requirement to upgrade the road to a width of 7m was “hypocritical” when access roads for council-operated caravan parks at Monduran, Burleigh Heads and Elliot Heads were less than this width.

Splitters Farm, Queensland. Pedro and young couple. Unique rural camping & farm stay experience.

“This would appear to be a matter of ‘don’t do what I do, do what I say’,” Mr Barnes said.

“If we are so concerned about traffic safety in these circumstances, why aren’t we doing it?”

Mr Barnes received a long round of applause from the gallery, following which Mayor Dempsey thanked the public for their enthusiasm.

Councillor Tanya McLoughlin spoke against the approval of the development, saying council should not “bend the rules” around safety and environmental regulations “to make a commercial business viable.”

A proposed expansion of Splitters Farm to include a tourism park and function facility was refused by Council in a fiery meeting before a full public gallery on Tuesday.

The gallery gave a series of boos and jeers following Ms McLoughlin’s speech with some people calling out “how many accidents have been on that road?” and “don’t forget there’s an election next year,” in response to which Mayor Dempsey asked the public to “be respectful.”

Councillor Vince Habermann said rather than refusing the application, he would support a move to explore the availability of state funding to upgrade the road in partnership with Splitters Farm, which Councillor Tracy McPhee supported.

Owner-manager of Splitters Farm Carly Clark said Council's decision was a “cop out”.

In response to a request for clarification from Ms McPhee, CEO Steve Johnston confirmed that regardless of how council votes, the matter would likely proceed to the Planning and Environment Court given the motion was to approve only part of the development application.

The motion was refused, with Councillors Bartels, Honor and McLoughlin in favour and Councillors McPhee, Habermann, Cooper, Learmonth, Dempsey and Barnes against.

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Speaking after the meeting, the owner-manager of Splitters Farm Carly Clark said the decision was a “cop out,” but that taking the decision out of the hands of council could be helpful in forcing a resolution.

“I think it was a decision without making a decision that now forces out hand to go to Planning Court,” Ms Clark said.

“It doesn’t sit right for me that we’re asking the competition to sign off on a development application when we are in direct competition with the council caravan parks, so maybe it’s good that we take it out of their hands and get someone else to decide on this matter.”

Bundaberg Regional Ratepayers Association President Helen Blackburn said the outcome was a “Clayton’s decision” and said it “beggars belief” that council would not do more to support tourism in the region.

Bundaberg Regional Ratepayers Association President Helen Blackburn said the outcome was a “Clayton’s decision,” and said it “beggars belief” that council would not do more to support tourism in the region.

This decision is not in line with what the community would expect given we are a tourist destination … you would think you would be trying to promote anything that’s to do with tourism in our region,” Ms Blackburn said.

“It beggars belief that decision by council today.”