SHOALHAVEN City Council has had to submit a development application to ensure short term camping at the Berry Showground continues to meet regulations laid out under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and the Shoalhaven Local Environment Plan.
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The showgrounds are currently used as a short-term camping ground with 48 campsites, for which approval was given in 2011.
However, since that original development consent, several changes have been made to the area without the relevant approvals, including a central access road, which means some aspects of the showground no longer meet required standards.
The modification has to include the central access road that has been constructed through the campground and is not approved, while the figuration of campsites have also been altered without consent.
The current fire system also does not meet required standards, nor does the entry off Alexandra Street.
Council has proposed a new entry road to the south off Station Street, while a new updated community plan is also being developed.
Various other issues, including some of the camping sites being under the minimum regulation size of 65 square metres, and access roads being under the required widths for two-way and single lane traffic will also be addressed.
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That includes the unapproved central roadway which is only 3.5 metres wide, smaller than the required four metre width.
The fire hydrants are not double-headed pillar fire hydrants and therefore do not comply with regulations.
Fire safety infrastructure required under provisions of the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Regulation should also be installed at the showground, specifically updating the fire hydrants.
Council has made moves to have a new fire and water reticulation system installed by July.
It is recommended that approval be given to ratify the use of these pre-existing features but is noted that minor adjustments to the roadway and site layout may be required prior to formal approval, however given the issues only narrowly being classed as non-compliant the impact would be deemed insignificant.
The upgrades are listed as costing $68,000.
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Robert Crawford
Robert Crawford is a senior journalist at the South Coast Register, for Australian Community Media . Everyone's got a story, what's yours? Email robert.crawford@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Robert Crawford is a senior journalist at the South Coast Register, for Australian Community Media . Everyone's got a story, what's yours? Email robert.crawford@austcommunitymedia.com.au
