The once popular idea of possibly developing future camping grounds and facilities at three scenic dams in northern Queensland has been dealt a serious blow.
Mackay Regional Council has just decided not to take over management responsibility for Kinchant, Eungella and Teemburra dams … leaving them instead under the full control of water authority, Sunwater.
The Daily Mercury newspaper reports that the two organsiations had been negotiating for two years with the intended purpose of changing management responsibility for the recreational assets. However, rather than assuming control of the three dams, the council decided to continue working with Sunwater to ‘investigate possible future opportunities’ identified in the Mackay Regional Camping Analysis Report.
The Daily Mercury reports these opportunities might include management and enhancement of the day use area at Kinchant Dam and future camping opportunities at Kinchant Dam, ‘pending the status of operations and private investment in the private accommodation offerings at the site’.
A council report noted it operated four campgrounds but the assets were ‘ageing and not utilised to their potential’, with minimal recent investment and works that focused on basic maintenance.
The report did not recommend opening Kinchant Dam up to caravans and camping ‘given existing commercial accommodation operations onsite’, and it also recommended the council not pursue developing or operating a campsite at Teemburra Dam. It said the ‘potential risks and environmental impacts outweigh the benefits of even a small-scale campsite operation’.
“In the short term, the case for a council managed campsite at Eungella Dam is insufficiently compelling to warrant council taking on operational maintenance costs, which are likely to be more than $100,000 per year,” the report found. “Similarly, current demand levels are unlikely to attract a commercial operator at present, when maintenance costs are factored in … regional tourism will continue to benefit from low-cost camping being available in the short term without any intervention by council.”
A practical,sensible solution is to let 1-2 Grey Nomads live at camps FREE in return for Park Maintenances,Patrol,Litter etc,thus a savings of $100,000 for both parties.Plenty of application for that AYR job.
Thank goodness, a council of level headed practical thinkers.
Pleased Eungella Dam isn’t going to become an upmarket out of touch overpriced development.
Eryl has the right outlook…just make soo much sense.