By Jenel Hunt
A request by the Southern Downs Steam Railway Association Inc (SDSR) that the Southern Downs Regional Council drop infrastructure charges for a proposed tourist park at Hamilton Street in Warwick has met with a mixed response from councillors.
The area, bordered by Hamilton and Fitzroy Streets and adjoining the existing railway station and rollingstock maintenance areas, is planned to cater for sites for up to 20 self-contained caravans. The proposal is to provide camping and secure storage of caravans while visitors take part in the tourism experiences offered by the SDSR.
The $70,000 charge would be payable at the time that the site’s material change of use came about.
Kelvin Hutchinson, chairman of the organisation, asked for the fee to be waived on the grounds that the site had functioned as a council-approved Queensland Rail work camp for the past 35 years, providing both short- and long-term accommodation.
“The existing van park site is already equipped with essential infrastructure previously approved by council, including a metered water supply, sewerage system, power supply, security lighting, security fencing, level grounds with proven stormwater run-off and drainage systems and visual barrier landscaping,” he said.
“Given this longstanding approved van park usage, we believe that there is no substantial material change of use warranting such an infrastructure charge.”
He pointed out that SDSR was a not-for-profit, volunteer-run incorporated association dedicated to preserving and operating heritage rail experience. The infrastructure charge would be a financial burden that could jeopardise the group’s ability to continue providing its service, he said.
Council officers reported that the application fell into the zone of a commercial operation associated with community use and recommended that the request to waive the $70,000 fee be refused.
However, Councillor Joel Richters moved that the council approve a 50 per cent reduction of the original fee.
The site was essential to the survival of the group, he said.
The organisation had been heavily impacted by the sudden closure of the railway line to Wallangarra after a bushfire took out a number of railway bridges, making the line inoperable.
Mayor Melissa Hamilton suggested a long-term payment plan could be implemented.
Cr Ross Bartley said it should be kept in mind that the proposed tourist park would be in direct competition with existing commercial caravan parks that paid rates and charges.
Councillors who voted for the 50 per cent reduction in the fee were Sarah Deane, Cynthia McDonald, Carla Pidgeon, Joel Richters and Sheryl Windle.
In favour of keeping the charge at 100 per cent were Mayor Melissa Hamilton, Ross Bartley, Morwenna Harslett and Russell Wantling.
