Council revisits problem park

THE problems at Minnie Water Caravan Park have gone before Clarence Valley Council again.

A number of serious problems have been identified at Minnie Water Caravan Park by council staff. Photo: Dominic Zietsch

THE problems at Minnie Water Caravan Park have gone before Clarence Valley Council again.

Council staff has presented councillors with a “progress report” on the problems identified at the park, and what council staff was doing to address them.

In February, The Daily Examiner reported on a number of serious problems at the park that were identified in a report compiled by council staff.

The report cited unauthorised structures being erected, encroachment on to adjoining sites and unauthorised connections to septic systems.

Other contraventions included site fees being in arrears and “behavioural issues” witnessed in the park by staff.

The report, submitted at the council’s February meeting, identified nine areas of concern.

This month’s progress report said the council’s deputy general manager Rob Donges and three other staff members visited the park in May to inspect and record details of the contraventions.

The inspection revealed:

• Twenty-four structures were built beyond their rear boundary.
• Five structures encroached on to adjoining properties.
• Six structures did not comply with fire safety requirements.
• A non-complying structure was currently under construction.
• One structure was currently occupying two sites.

The report, prepared by Mr Donges, said staff had not been able to adhere to the original timetable of ensuring residents addressed non-compliance issues by June, as stipulated.

The report also recommended taking a vastly different approach to the action decided in February.

It recommended defining “logical boundaries” to incorporate the structures currently encroaching boundaries.

It also recommended accepting all existing structures at the park – provided they were structurally sound – as being approved.

Furthermore, the report recommended accepting the numerous fixed annexes at the park as falling under the “moveable” definition and asking residents with unauthorised septic system connections to apply for approval.

With Cr Pat Comben away, the eight councillors voted six-to-two in favour of endorsing the revised approach. Councillors Toms and McKenna voted against it.

Originally published as Council revisits problem park