A hugely popular council-owned caravan park in New South Wales has abruptly closed its doors due to ‘safety and compliance’ issues.
The Williams River Holiday Park in Clarence Town, just north of Newcastle, is no longer welcoming guests, and a giant question mark now hangs over its long-term future.
The General Manager of Dungog Shire, Coralie Nichols, said the council had recently conducted a review of the park which sits on the banks of the Williams River.
“Regrettably, the review identified deficiencies in relation to safety and compliance that brought into question the ability of the park to continue operating in its current form,” she said. “As a result of this situation, council has determined to close the park while its future is considered.”
The Dungog Chronicle reports that all camping was to cease immediately, no new bookings would be taken, and those with advance bookings would have fees refunded.
Clarence Town and District Progress Association Treasurer Danielle Jeffery said the community had been ‘totally blindsided’ by the closure.
“We are very disappointed at the lack of community consultation to say the least,” she told the Chronicle. “Coming up to Easter and Anzac Day our caravan park is absolutely chockers and this town just blooms over those periods … it’s going to be a big hit on all our local businesses.”
Dungog Mayor Tracy Norman would not be drawn on why the park had been allowed to deteriorate to the point it was no longer compliant.
“We have a line drawn and this is how this council will operate,” she told the Chronicle. “We can’t and won’t shy away from making these tough decisions when it comes to compliance, when it comes to safety particularly … we are responsible for the people down in that park and we are not prepared to risk their safety.”
Earlier this year Dungog Regional Tourism (DRT) received a $93,000 grant for the park as part of an overall $1.3million project in the shire to improve outdoor tourism.
Chair of DRT Cameron Archer said the closure was ‘disappointing’ but he remained confident of the long-term future of the park.
“It’s such a wonderful facility,” he said. “While this is disappointing perhaps it will be reinvented and keep on being used.”
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So the council is going to fence off all the river frontage in there shire/council. After all some one may swim in the river , get wet, and catch a cold , then sue the council?
Does anyone have any figures on accidents resulting in death or serious injury???????
Maybe this council and it’s officers should look at doing what other councils do and that is to allow every dollar coming into the park is allowed to be used by the park managers for upgrades/repairs and the council fund major upgrades/issues. After all when we, the grey nomads, visit your towns we all tend to leave money in the area be it in fuel, groceries, restaurants etc.
Unfortunately this seems to be happening more and more around Australia.
Between this and closing of free camps site.
I wonder how much longer the Australian dream of traveling and camping around our beautiful country can last.
And who has created this .
I don’t think I would be far off at pointing the finger at insurance company’s.
Every one is so scared of lidergation these days it killing the country.
What happened to the days when you had to make your own decisions good or bad.
Cheers
Ross.
Looks like it will be like NZ councils sell them for housing sites
Either some safety officer trying to justify their large salary with b.s. instead of practical safety or perhaps some vested interests that want to get their hands on some prime real estate.
I believe it’s a closed door decision made to benefit the Council. The council have no authority voted that in the 1988 referendum. They are not a third tier of government either. Politicians and Councilors do not own anything, public assets should not be sold or leased indefinitely. Rate payers finance the park and therefore should have been consulted as to its future.
So they get a $93,000 grant for the park then close it? Are they nuts?
What happened to the $93,000 grant for the park upgrade????
The big question. I’m sure that money would go a long way to fixing any issues. I hope they reopen after works. It would be a major loss of revenue for the town.
its amazing how many people who when they get into public office think they can do what they like and believe they are not accountable and dont have to consult the local businesses or justify their decisions.
camped here for years….. not one issue……. ever….. what is the safety issue. council wont even let out what the issues are that need to be dealt with. total BS… Maybe they need the funds to fix dungogs main street…what a joke that is, I feel sorry for thel ocal business… goodbye clarencetown
If the council cant maintain it to keep it open sell it to someone who can to many caravan parks are closing .
Caravan parks provide so much more than what the average Joe blow knows they bring families together provide cheaper accommodation for pensioners and also for young people starting out in life
Another time a council pays no attention to the real people just do as they want and line their own pockets.
Maybe grey nomad retirees could Co- op buy it & run it,better & the way they want with less limitations..Why spend $$ thousands on fuel nomadding ea year- when you can buy & camp permanently..
You can bet your bottom dollar council would find or create a by- law to prevent this happening.
Wait till they close it and see who they sell it to
Exactly right Des…..oh…I’m guessing….river front etc…..overseas!!! Absolute disgrace….but I’ve been saying that since the late 80s at least…..no one listens….they just want ‘globalisation’.
Did they let it deteriorate on purpose?In maybe 2 years time when the closure has faded in peoples memories will this prime piece of real estate be sold to developers?are there any councillors with strong ties to dvelopers who are setting the ground work?
Maybe a few more should be closed until there faculties are updated.Prices up quality down.
Please help the community of Clarencetown by writing an email to shirecouncil@dungog.nsw.gov.au and express your outrage st such a ridiculous action…. we need your help to stop this!!!
Why can’t they include a waiver as a condition of entry? It would seem that no one is going to be allowed to enjoy the natural beauty of the Australian Bush because some pen pusher deems it “unsafe”. I feel sorry for all the local retailers that will be affected. The council should also hand the money back!
Just come back from one of our favourite parks on north coast. Starting to look tired and run down. Run by an elected councillor. ? Letting it go so can close? Great spot on river and ideal for resort development. Can these people not see the rv manufacture figures are indicating an upward trend in future more parks needed. Typical lack of forward thinking and then applying knee jerk reactions to fix problems or much easier to close and let it decay to the point it becomes a bargain for corporate plunder.
Still like to know what happens with the $93,000??? Of tax payers money….. Bet they don’t give it back!
If the Council owns the park, why did it let it’s own property get into such a run-down state?
You can take the most intelligent & reasonable people around, vote them into council- instant idiots.