A Sunshine Coast dairy farmer has hit back hard against council attempts to shut down the campsite he runs on his property to help keep his struggling business afloat.
Farmer Shane Paulger says he has been threatened with a fine so large it would destroy his operation, and he has taken to social media to label the council a ‘heavy-handed bully’ with ‘no common sense’.
The Sunshine Coast Daily reports that Kenilworth Camping has received a letter from Sunshine Coast Council advising it to comply or desist – and it threatens fines of up to $183,150. However, Mr Paulger says he is caught between a rock and a hard place, as meeting the council’s compliance demands would leave the farm hundreds of thousands out of pocket.
All the fees, and you’ve got to get consultants involved, it’s probably $6000 or $7000 (per campground),” Mr Paulger told the newspaper. “We’ve got five kilometres of river access that our property access and our campground and follows our river along … we’d probably want to register for 100 camp sites and, quite simply, we do not have the money to do what they require.”
The Paulger family has run Adadale Farm for more than 60 years, and Mr Paulger says it has shown some initiative by allowing campers a spacious place to camp along the river and enjoy the beautiful surrounds. And he says the threat of fines won’t force him to back down.
“The Kenilworth Camping team would hope that you, our loyal and happy campers, will continue to support us now more than ever during this battle by camping with us and keep enjoying the natural beauty of our Adadale property we call Kenilworth Camping,” he said on a social media post. “It is going to be a David and Goliath battle against the might and money of Sunshine Coast Council.”
A petition calling for councillors to “save Kenilworth Camping”, has quickly amassed thousands of signatures.
However, a council spokeswoman insists there are multiple issues with the current site, and that it has tried on many occasions to work with Mr Paulger.
“These breaches give rise to issues relating to public liability, the adverse environmental impacts on the adjoining Mary River, lack of proper effluent disposal and the lack of basic amenities such as permanent toilets and showering facilities on site,” the spokeswoman said.
In response Mr Paulger told the Sunshine Coast Daily that he does offer toilet facilities at the campground, with Portaloos every 50 or 60 metres along the property. And he says he makes it pretty clear that Kenilworth Campground does not offer shower facilities, but he says 98% of campers that come there are fully self-contained.
· Comment below
The owners of the property have provided toilets and have advertised that no showers are available. What is the issue. They have answered the council questions about facilities provided. Lets move on and the Counil need to get back and do the job we as voters put them in power to do. Move on do your job !!!!
This is typical of most councils over regulated and wont help farmers. Its his land not the councils. Something needs to change in this country from regulation madness on your own country property. What about all the crap farm animals put into the land and waterways. Ban them too? Fight the buggers. Councils in Australia are an absolute disgrace for holding this country back. It happens over and over again. Is Australia a free country ? Sack those councils. We don’t need them.
This council in question is acting against the vital Income of the tourist dollar and should instead be made to contribute tax payers money to directly support Mr Paulger’s admirable efforts to keep tourists in this beautiful corner of the state for as long as possible.
Colin is dead right, wild and farm animals are a far bigger source of pollution to nature than a few tourists!
Get real councillors!!
would you think the same if you are the next property downstream or a taxpayer in the area?
What a load of crap (pun intended). I’ve stayed there in a self contained caravan and seen first hand the set up. Have you!!! The toilets provided are well maintained and serviced daily. There is so much land that the small amount of grey water is quickly absorbed and would pose no threat to the cleanliness of the Mary River.
Go you travelling heros. Kenilworth is a beautiful place and I say “may many of you get to enjoy The Mary and all the peace and beauty our home offers. Thankyou all for the support I see here .
My, have a look at the erosion on the river bank. Such a ‘poor’ farmer who wants over a hundred campsites without ensuring he has the appropriate facilities in place. Rather swim with cow poo than people poo for obvious reasons. Remember cholera and how we stopped it. Stop bagging the rule makers you created them.
I am sorry but you are firstly a Sunshine Coast Dairy Farmer and your locality may not be conducive to having up to 100 campers along the river that I believe you have access to but would not own. I would think that the council’s concerns would be genuine in regards to health, the environment, etc. Follow the laws and go back to your career choice of milking.
In France they have a scheme called French Passion, small farms, vineyards, diaries, berry farms, even just people with space to park are invoked in a free park for night for self supported motorhomes. No facilities, occasional toilets or water available. Great scheme for seeing the difference areas of France. Would be a wonderful way of exploring Australia and getting to know the locals.
So many “city slickers” have no idea what farmers have to go through in their every day life. They work many hours just to survive. Trying to keep your head above water is a constant battle. Why don’t some of you understand that? Its because you have nice jobs past and present with a regular income.Take time off and go and spend some time with those who are less well off and help them on their property. You can see this advertised on this website. And for others erosion of a creek is a normal wear and tear due to rains and floods. You cant stop this only minimise it. The farmer provides portable loos. So all those who are against a farmer trying to survive….go and help them. Dont chastise them because you are better off and really don’t care about them.
No wonder small business don’t survive with so much red tape, and cost’s, it look’s a lovely place to bush camp, I hope every thing work’s out. as I would like to try it out, when I am in the area. Pity that we can’t sack the parasites.