People power win on Malanda Falls Caravan Park
It was standing room only at a Tablelands Regional Council meeting on Thursday as Malanda residents turned out in force to object to a proposal to sell the beloved caravan park.
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Malanda locals turned out in force to block a proposal for the cherished Malanda Falls Caravan Park to be converted to freehold and sold by Tablelands Regional Council.
Dozens of people from the township of 2700 turned up at council saying they were furious the proposal appeared as a late agenda item for the ordinary meeting on Thursday.
Council heard from community spokesmen Matt Lachlan and dairy farmer Greg English – whose family bequeathed the land to council for a community-owned caravan park after WWII.
The council report recommended seeking expressions of interest for the sale of freehold land and associated assets.
But an alternative motion that expressions of interest be sought to lease the park on a 30-year basis was passed unanimously.
Mr Lachlan said two years ago, 2400 people signed a petition against selling the park and the community found out at short notice it was potentially for sale again.
“It is extremely important to the community, it is part of the tapestry that gives the town its identity and character,” he said, adding that many people were worried a new owner could put an entirely different commercial development on the site that has access to Malanda Falls.
“We don’t want to see it become a concrete jungle like caravan park chains,” he said.
Mr Lachlan added that with a homelessness crisis on the Tablelands, accommodation at the park could be offered to those without a roof over their heads.
Greg English said it was an iconic destination with a far-reaching reputation and it helped support businesses including 11 local eateries in the small township.
“For such an issue to be drawn out so long, it beggars belief that it suddenly becomes a late agenda item – was this done solely for the purpose of catching out the community of Malanda?” he said.
“We feel this is a very underhand move.”
Mr English said the people who tendered for the lease withdrew their application “out of sheer frustration from the inability to obtain accurate financial information”.
“If these figures had been provided, I am sure the tender process would have successfully continued.”
It is understood the popular and long-time managers of the park, Janine and Rob Rielly, tendered to lease the park.
“Councillors, it is time to listen to your moral compass and ignore this ludicrous proposal,” he said.
Cr Dave Bilney moved it was in the public interest to invite expressions of interest for the lease before inviting written tenders, that an agent who specialised in caravan parks be appointed and report to council by July, and Cr Annette Haydon, who said she had been deluged with calls and emails on the issue, seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.
Cr Bilney said data showed council-owned caravan parks were operating profitably.
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Originally published as People power win on Malanda Falls Caravan Park
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