Request to waive charges on RV park Mossman
Councillors Comment
Council has received a request to waive the infrastructure charges imposed on the development of an RV Park at 51 Newell Road, Newell. The infrastructure charges levied with the development approval total of $53,166.32.
The applicant, being the Mossman Golf Club, has made representations regarding the infrastructure charges associated with the development approval issued on 26 November 2021. The Tourist Park was proposed to complement the existing golf club operation.
In a report by council it is stated that it is acknowledged that the Committee of the Mossman Golf Club was not aware that infrastructure charges were required to be levied on development at the time the application was made for the land use.
Discount on charges
Councillor Abigail Noli said: “Having regard to the type of Tourist Park being proposed, that is, one with minimal facilities and also considering that the Mossman Golf Club is a not-for-profit organisation operating from Council owned land, I do consider it a reasonable approach to offer a fifty percent discount to the charges, and to allow the payment of the discounted charges to be deferred to provide the Golf Club with a two-year trial period.”
Deferred payment will allow the club to test the viability of the RV hosting initiative and includes the ability for the club to enter a payment plan, giving the Golf Club every chance of success.
“An outcome which is positive for the shire and one of which I am very happy to support,” Ms Noli said.
“Infrastructure charges need to be incurred by the applicant otherwise eventually the cost will be borne by the ratepayers in some manner. In this case the charges are decreased and deferred but still covered by the applicant.”
Councillor Roy Zammataro supports the reduction of the infrastructure charges for the RV park at the Mossman Golf Club for a number of reasons. “The charges were deferred for two years so the golf club can determine if such an investment will be financially viable,” Mr Zammataro said.
“Also it is council owned land so this will not affect ratepayers such as previous proposals suggesting that council purchase land and lease it to a NSW based entity.
“The RV park at the Mossman golf club is not large enough to affect similar businesses in the area and if successful the financial benefits will ensure a long standing sporting organisation in the Douglas Shire will continue to operate.”
Also Councillor Lisa Scomazzon is happy that this motion has been accepted by all Councillors. “This will benefit our local golf club which is a non for profit organisation,” she said.
“The land which the RV park will be situated on is owned by Council, therefore, it is in Council's best financial interest to ensure the Golf Club is able to operate in a financially viable manner.
“I believe that this will be a great drawcard for RV visitors to our shire especially those that play golf. I wish the Mossman Golf Club and their committee all the best with their new venture, and I am sure that it will be successful for the club and the shire.”
Councillor Peter McKeown is not able to provide any comments on the matter as he is a member of the committee of the Mossman Golf Club. "I have not been allowed to sit in the workshops or council meetings or to have any contribution to discussions on this matter due to the conflict of interest," he said.
Type of RV park
The development approval is for a Tourist Park strictly for recreational vehicles (RV) to be accommodated on site. The approval allows up to 18 RVs to utilise a portion of the Mossman Golf Club land for overnight stays for up to seven consecutive nights.
“I welcome some type of RV facility in the shire, my support is evidence of that,” Ms Noli said. “What I have never supported, was an RV park that incurred astronomical costs to Council to buy land and then a non-existent tender that was leased to a NSW based company.
“The proposed size is not grandiose so as to have an effect on other parks but is there to complement what already exists. A well thought out initiative by a Douglas organisation for Douglas benefit is always welcome.”