By Dominique Tassell
A tourist park in Wallangarra has been approved despite community concerns.
The park, at 4 Happy Valley Road, has been met with concerns from locals about noise, traffic, and effluent and waste management.
Southern Downs Regional Council approved the park at their 8 June meeting.
Cr Andrew Gale spoke against the motion in the meeting, stating this was due to the number of residents opposed.
He stated the camp would have an “inappropriate impact on their amenities”.
He said there is other, more suitable, land in the region they could use.
“Just because it’s Wallangarra, doesn’t mean we should put it at the back of our minds,” Cr Gale said.
He said the land is not even the size of a soccer pitch, but an average home block with reticulated water but no sewerage.
Cr Gale said some of the comments have been dismissive of locals and their concerns.
He said many had concerns about people under the influence of alcohol and didn’t think a residential two-acre block was suitable for this.
Cr Ross Bartley said he has sympathy for the residents but the assessment stated that alcohol consumption and behaviour resulting from it shouldn’t be an issue if they are properly monitored.
He said they were working based on the planning scheme, and police would help mitigate issues.
Cr Stephen Tancred stated he had “agonised over this”, but felt staff had taken the submissions seriously.
He said staff had imposed conditions such as lowering the number of people able to be on the site at one time, and there will no longer be a store or common area.
He also pointed out that traffic had been directed away from areas of concern, and no caravans or extra tents are allowed on the premises combined with a maximum five-day stay.
Cr Tancred said while noise is a concern, this has been mitigated by staff.
He highlighted the economic and tourism value of the park.
Cr Gale stated he would put forward an alternative motion if the recommendation was not supported.
Cr Sheryl Windle agreed that there would be economic benefits to the tourist park, and said in her experience of camping people normally went to bed early and weren’t very noisy.
Cr Bartley stated that this site was offering a more “upmarket” experience than most camping sites and would be an “asset to the region”.
The motion to support the tourist park was successful, moved by Cr Bartley and seconded by Cr Windle.
Cr Gale voted against the motion.
