A council in Tasmania’s beautiful north-west is looking seriously at the idea of creating a fully self-contained freedom camping site alongside an off-leash dog park.
If the proposal from Waratah-Wynyard Council goes ahead, it is sure to be popular with grey nomads … especially those travelling with pets.
The authority is looking at using a currently undeveloped three-hectare parcel of land at Ballad Avenue in Wynard to create a public recreation space.
It says the land has unique environmental features, including its proximity to the Inglis River, a network of river-side walking trails and the presence of protected flora and fauna species. Now, it wants the community to have a say on the concept plan.
Mayor Robby Walsh says Council is keen to ensure that any proposal put forward for the use of the site has broad community support.
“The size of the land provides us with multiple options for public recreation and we’d like to hear the community’s thoughts on how the land could be best used,” the Mayor said. “This is an opportunity to not only preserve a protected species, but to also improve the liveability of our town with new recreation spaces and to inject additional revenue directly into our small businesses and tourism experiences through increased visitation.”
As well as Wynard, the council area includes the coastal towns and villages of Waratah, Corinna, Somerset, Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach.
Council recently received a report outlining the presence of protected species of Eucalyptus Brookerina at the site, which led to the deferral of a decision to seek expressions of interest for the sale and development of the land for residential purposes … and to the assessment for the site’s suitability for public recreation use.
The draft Development Options Paper for an off-leash dog park and a designated fully self-contained freedom camping area proposes the delivery of two distinctly separate sites within close proximity to the river and walking tracks connecting the site to the township.
Public consultation for the potential development will remain open until April 29, 2022.
With the closure of both Wynyard and Boat Harbour free camps several years ago a new free camp in this area would be welcome.Basically give this area a miss and stay either east or west of Wynyard
Used to be boat harbour. That is closed so Smithton and Stanley now. This would be excellent
There is definitely a lack of free/low cost campsites around the Wynyard region which surprises me as I know the mayor is a caravan owner and is very keen to promote the Wynyard/Waratah region
Fantastic idea, normally stay at Stanley or Smithton, always happy to support local businesses in the area where we stay.