Council in the right on campsite ruling, says councillor

"I'd like to provide you with some clarity and balance regarding the campground at Kenilworth that is operating without approval,” writes Cr Rogerson.

The Kenilworth camping ground at the centre of the dispute. Picture: Contributed

IN THE limited space I have in this column, I'd like to provide you with some clarity and balance regarding the campground at Kenilworth that is operating without approval.

Over the last 12 months or so, council planning officers have tried to help this particular farmer lodge a Development Application for his property to enable him to legally operate a campground business.

Because the farmer had always claimed that allowing camping on his property was a means to supplement his farming operation, the application we suggested to him was one of a low key "nature-based camping" where sites of up to 100 could be assessed relatively easily with relatively low fees and charges and infrastructure.

In addition to this, myself and fellow councillors have sought council's planning staff to investigate the endorsement by council for uses up to 10 or so, with a major incentivised reduction in infrastructure charges.

However, information and evidence has since come to light that this farmer is in fact operating a high-scale operation. He has flatly refused to lodge a development application or genuinely engage with council planning staff, so council has had no alternative but to request he either lodges an application or ceases his camping operation.

These actions and regulations may seem cumbersome to some, if you're not fully aware of the circumstances, but they're necessary by law to protect council and the wider community we represent.

They also protect the farmer who, without any development approval, would be in serious legal jeopardy for personal liability if a claim were to arise in the event of an accident occurring on the farm.

What is so unreasonable about council actions in the regard? Also, how would it be fair to all those other campground businesses on the Sunshine Coast and in Queensland for that matter, who've obtained the required development approvals and paid subsequent infrastructure charges in order to operate legally?

If you'd like to know more about this particular issue and why council has a responsibility on behalf of our community to uphold the law in regards to this campground at Kenilworth, jump on council's Facebook page where you'll find a detailed statement from mayor Mark Jamieson, or my Facebook page, where you will find my personal statement.

I trust this gives everyone a better understanding of the current situation.

Rounding off for now, Rogo.

- Cr Greg Rogerson