By ALENA HIGGINS
A WITHOUT prejudice meeting between Stanthorpe Agricultural Society, a neighbouring commercial caravan park and Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) has failed to come to an agreement on the ancillary use of the showground for camping and caravanning purposes, councillors have heard.
SDRC resolved during last Wednesday’s general meeting to seek legal advice on how to move the matter forward after receiving correspondence from solicitors acting for Top of Town Tourist Park.
The agricultural society is seeking to have its original conditions of use, formerly approved by Stanthorpe Shire Council in July 2003, relaxed in line with “similar organisations within the region”.
Currently, the showground can be used as a camping ground for a club or association in conjunction with the use of facilities provided on-site six times per calendar year only.
“There are a whole series of comments (in the letter) that would suggest to me that the owners of the caravan park don’t accept a lot of the issues that were discussed at the without prejudice meeting,” SDRC director of planning and environment Ken Harris said.
Cr Jamie Mackenzie suggested the Agricultural Society “get cracking” and submit a new application as “anything above” the 2003 limits would see them in breach and expose council “as the meat in the sandwich” to costly litigation.
The amended recommendation, which was deferred for a second time, allows the showgrounds to be used for ancillary camping by participants, competitors and officials who are directly involved in activities and events being conducted at the showgrounds, as well as stockmen and members of the Showman’s Guild.
It does not allow for camping of spectators or the general public.
Five letters were received in opposition to the recommendation, with the majority of concerns pointing to the “unreasonable” use of the showgrounds to host caravan and motor home clubs or cyclist or motorbike riders.
Under the 2003 permit, the showground is permitted to accommodate a maximum of four caravan club events each calendar year with a maximum four-night duration and 50-site occupation limit for each event.
