The Queensland dairy farmer who ran into major trouble with the Sunshine Coast Council over the riverside campsite he runs on his property says he is now willing to go to jail over the issue.
Shane Paulger has allowed campers on his Kenilworth dairy farm for years to help him make ends meet but, back in June, the council issued him with a ‘comply or desist’ notice.
It meant he had to either pay almost $300,000 to formalise the campground under council bylaws, or pay $184,000 in fines. According to a report in the Sunshine Coast Daily newspaper, Mr Paulger has been unable to persuade the council to shift their position.
“They’re sticking to their guns about the huge costs,” he said. “I’ve been forced to do this because of the terrible state of the industry … we’re hurting nobody.”
Council advised the Paulger family that the estimated infrastructure charges for the camping ground were $257,713.
Documents submitted to council by a consultant representing the Paulger family show that the charges would take more than 17 years to pay back.
“With (the camp site running at) an annual net profit of $14,894, the payment of the proposed infrastructure charges of $257,713 would take over 17 years of operation to see a payback profit in the development,” the letter reads. “The inclusions of small scale camping grounds under the current Planning Scheme and the application of these charges precludes this type of small scale tourism opportunity within this region, especially for those who use camping and farm stay to subsidise their farming incomes to stay afloat.”
Mr Paulger told the Sunshine Coast Daily that paying the $257,000 fee was not an option.
“The bank wouldn’t give us that money, and we’re not paying at $180,000 fine; if it comes to that I’ll just go to jail,” he said. “We’re not happy to go underground but if they force our hand that may be our only option and we’ll play it out in the courts.”
For its part, the council is continuing to defend its position.
“The use of the property at Kenilworth for camping grounds on a commercial basis is in breach of both the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 and the requirements of both the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and the new Planning Act 2016,” its aid in a statement. “What council has required of Mr Paulger is no more than what is required of every property owner in Queensland who seeks to use their property in a manner that is not in line with its lawful use.”
The statement also said council had collected evidence against Kenilworth Camping that indicated the site was not a small scale camping ground due to its one, high-traffic weekend each year.
• Comment below
Private property should be allowed to be used in anyway the owner sees fit, or would the powers that be prefer to see them loose everything just to appease their EGO’s ?.
cant see the council would have leg too stand on if farmer invited “friends” to stay on his property, donations towards costs
I agree totally.
Oh come on
We the NOMADS just want the opportunity to enjoy our final days enjoying life with like minded people….we come into towns for provisions..petrol..hair cuts..
AND we would like to camp in lovely places that folk like Shane are providing for us
GET OF HIS BACK !!!!
AND OTHERS WHO ARE DOING THE SAME
Take a pay cut …like we have done
Therefore …. this HARASSMENT would not be necessary….
THANK YOU FARMERS OF AUSTRALIA
WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT
All councils create laws to create jobs for council workers.
Spot on.
and the Shire sits back there with there big wages paid by taxpayers making it harder with unnecessary rules and regulations trying to justify their existence. So shameful.
What exactly does the $257 odd thousand dollars cover in infrastructure costs for this man? What is the council asking him to provide for such an excessive amount of money? Free camping or a nominal sum for fully self contained caravans usually does not require any infrastructure if the traveller knows this in advance. If Kennilworth provides a dump point the what is the council on about??
What nonsense from the council. Sack them. Get rid of them. Help farmers …don’t kill them off just to suit those in in council. COUNCIL THIS IS MADNESS FROM YOU.
How can any council even think this way, the everyday Aussie farmer battling to stay afloat, has an idea for help on his property. Get some people who have their own accommodation come and help him out, not freeload, not doing anything but helping a hard Aussie worker. They still have to come into town to buy supplies, use dump points, get water and maybe buy a meal or two all to help the town. Now you see an average person has got help but you want to make money for yourselves out of someone else’s idea. Get your own ideas and provide affordable accommodation/stays for others that are on the road full or part-time. Stop harassing the honest people and do your job, stop your greediness and leave rate payers and honest workers alone.
We need to help our own people,Australian’s,get off his back an support the Australian’s that are having a go an trying to keep there heads above the water.
Good on him,
Stuff the council
So much for Australia being land of the free! Bloody greedy Governments and Councils!
Stevo, The councils have far too much say over what you can and cant do on your own land.They want to remember just who voted them in and what they are and are not there for.If this is the Australian way to kick someone when they are down the whole council should go.Give Shane a go even a helping hand ,or are you all to stupid to see the long term benefits this little venture. Cheers Stevo.
Sue the council for trespass and up the ante , it’s a shocking abuse of common rights
Could locals please use their voices support this farmer.
Perhaps a way around could be that those who ‘camp’ on the farmers land make a ‘donation’ to him for staying on his farm?
Could locals please use their voices support this farmer.
Perhaps a way around could be that those who ‘camp’ on the farmers land make a ‘donation’ to him for staying on his farm?
Is the council only trying to protect their interests given they own most caravan parks along the coast. Why would they want you to have a site at a reasonable fee when they rip you for $45-$51 per night. I know I have just paid approx. $2200 for 7 weeks and I don’t swim
Is it any wonder so many businesses/property owners are going to the wall financially when you have these self inflated egotistical ivory tower morons blatantly profiteering to line their own already fat pockets.
I know they think the sun up in the Sunshine Council shines out of their you know what. The council is the one on the nose here.
We nomads are all behind you Shane!
I have seen this park but we stay at the another park across the river.
The park we stay at pays all their fees and are legal and it is not right that they are doing the right thing and others are thumbing their noses at the laws.I think this would be fine they were located a set distance from registered parks (e.g. outback).There is also camping at the showground. What happens is there is an injury/accident, does he have any insurance ? What if it was your grandchild that was injured by some drunken idiot (they are there I have heard them) where would you stand being on a private property that is not legal? I am all for the farmers having a go but spare a thought for the people that are having a go legally
what a dopey thing to do to a person who is just trying to make a living dairy farming which is going through hard times and councils screw up all the time only to be saved by ratepayers
I will be staying at this camp site if is still there.
No wonder this country is going to the wall.
As the previous writer says if you invite friends to stay and just ask for donations bugger the councils they are all the same seat polishers making there jobs look important