Grey nomads and other travellers have somewhere new to stay on the NSW Far South Coast. Photo: Photon-Photos/iStock.
New camping costs have been locked in for a small coastal town.
During a recent meeting, Eurobodalla Shire Council voted in favour of a set-pricing scheme for access to campsites at Moruya Showground.
Earlier this year, councillors gave the green light to a plan to establish a primitive camping ground at Moruya Showground.
These campsites are intended for self-contained caravans and motorhomes and will be spread across two designated areas.
Under the adopted fee schedule, campers will pay at least $30 per night (depending on the size of their party) and have access to amenities including powered sites, water, toilets and a dump point.
“Fees and the facilities provided are comparable with other showground campgrounds across the state and therefore considered appropriate,” council documents state.
Councillors accepted an amended fee scheme, which stated that a ”Family” booking of $35 would consist of two adults and up to three children under 16 years of age.
A ”Standard” booking for two adults remained at the proposed $30 per night.
The proposal came up for a vote earlier this year, but a decision was put off after several councillors called for further clarification.
At the time, Councillor Sharon Winslade won support for her proposal to defer a decision on the pricing until the council could “tidy up” suggested changes.
This followed a question from Cr Amber Schultz, who said it was unclear whether families with different numbers of children qualified for the family rate.
“I think we could clarify this, or the staff can when they insert it within the fees and charges document,” she said. (A family was initially described as comprising five people.)
At the recent meeting, it was also confirmed that a maximum of 12 guests per campsite will be allowed.
Each extra person (of any age) will incur a $5 fee per night.
The council documents also state the sites are intended for short-term stays, rather than for use by homeless people.
As part of the camping proposal, there would be an on-site caretaker, while booking would be through either a centralised office or an online platform.
Eurobodalla Council also pledged that camping operations would be restricted during large events, such as the annual show and rodeo.
The council also estimates the campsites would bring in annual revenue of about $90,000, based on a 50 per cent occupancy rate.
The camping fees are also set to be reinvested into the showground.
Cr Rob Pollock was the only one to vote against the proposed fee structure.
