303 regional residents divided by caravan-park, dump point proposal

A brand new caravan park could become a staple in one quaint, Darling Downs village – but it hasn’t come without plenty of opposition from residents. Details here.

Southern Downs residents have been divided over a proposal for a council-funded temporary caravan site and dump point in Maryvale, a town with a population of 303, with one group pressing for the matter to be investigated further.
Southern Downs Regional Council received a petition during its ordinary meeting last week from the Maryvale Progress Association in favour of the 72-hour RV stopover park and dump point at the Railway Reserve.

While submitting the petition to council, MPA secretary Simon Ellery’s accompanying letter said the bold new project would encourage visitors to Maryvale and allow them to enjoy the Railway Reserve.

While the petition was signed by more than 100 residents and visitors, the proposal has also been met with staunch disapproval from other residents.

Opposing residents said the project would detract from the “quaint” character of the township, and proposed the funds be used on essential infrastructure in the community.

Mayor Vic Pennisi said the council would review the proposal to ensure their decision suited the majority of residents.

“Council is keen to work with individual communities to help them their shape and enrich their urban areas and Maryvale is home to a proud and passionate community who treasure where they live,” he said.

“Council worked closely in 2018 with the Maryvale community on its Urban Design Framework, and reviewing the RV proposal is another layer of the project.

“Council recently met with the Maryvale community and heard first hand that there are two sides to this story.”

Councillor Stephen Tancred voted in favour of receiving the petition, and said the number of people who signed the petition signalled enough “merit and support” to investigate the proposal further.

“This petition has well over 100, maybe 200 signatures and I note that most of them live at Maryvale or Goomburra or somewhere fairly close,” he said.

“As petitions go, it seems to carry a fair bit of weight and I can commend the residents of Maryvale for communicating with us in this way.”