THE Mount Gambier Agriculture and Horticultural Society has foreshadowed a scaled-back application for extra campsites at its sprawling Pick Avenue site in a bid to gain City Council approval.
The second application, expected to halt legal action at the Environment, Resources and Development court between the two parties, follows February’s council decision to knock-back planning approval for an additional 21 campsites due to zoning issues.
The society’s application was put forward to council following a $60,000 upgrade to facilities, which was then believed to be able to appropriately host 29 camp sites.
“We now have a consultant who is speaking to both the tribunal and the council on our behalf,” society member Kerry Hill said this week.
“We were told we did not have to just go with the reapplication process but could also go straight down the path with the tribunal but we believed it was best to reapply and give a chance for all parties to save time and money.”
With the issues discussed in confidence by elected members at this month’s council meeting, the society is hopeful of a positive outcome.
“I think it is great that the councillors have been speaking about this as the assessment panel is a seperate identity from the council itself,” Ms Hill said.
“We are all a part of this community but we would have liked to of had more information on what we needed for the application to go through.”
It is understood an appeal lodged against the society’s proposal by one or more accommodation providers in the district has also been withdrawn.
“We just want to be on a level playing field to other showground campsites around the state and region,” Ms Hill said.
Other alterations the society claims it is willing to make for approval of its application include a tin fence and extra plantations for greater privacy.
“We just do not want to put the money into that space if we are not going to make it back,” Ms Hill said.
“That is the only reason why we haven’t done it already.”
With eight sites currently available at present, Ms Hill said the society made “barely $100 per day” which almost equated to a loss once operational costs were factored.
“We are just keen to try and work with the council to try and come up with an agreement that is suitable for everyone,” Ms Hill said.
“We don’t want to over step the mark and we are not looking for special treatment but we do have a facility here that is utilised by the type of campers who do not wish to stay in a caravan park.
“We would just like to provide that service to them.”
The society has until June 17 to submit its altered application to council where further discussions will take place.
