Campground future hangs in balance
BY KELLY LONEY
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The future of Hawera's camping ground is hanging in the balance.
King Edward Park Motor Camp's existing lease ends on Sunday and the South Taranaki District Council is considering what to do with the site.
Options include closing the campsite for re-development or leasing it out to a new manager.
Current manager Lu Katene had already given semi-permanent residents one week's notice to be out by this Friday.
But council officers met campers last night to reassure them they would not be asked to leave immediately.
Mrs Katene gave the council notice of her resignation three months ago and the council asked her not to take any bookings past the end of her lease.
Community services manager Jan Martin said it was time for the camp to be reviewed.
About four years ago the council considered relocating the campground as part of the Hub development concept.
The camp is next to the aquatic centre, King Edward Park, the new Hub sports complex, and is within walking distance of town.
There since 1927, the campground has long been seen as too small for large motorhomes and at only .84ha there is no room for expansion.
Six different sites were looked at, including the racecourse and the A&P Showgrounds but the council decided to keep it in its central location.
The numbers of visitors has steadily dropped from 2509 in 2005 to 1423 last year, with the average stay being two nights.
Mrs Martin said the council's policy and development committee was expected to make a decision at a meeting on Monday.
"Until they make that decision we aren't in a position to ask anyone to move out," she said.
Apart from repairs and renewals there has been no serious money spent by the council over recent years.In the 2009 Ten Year Plan, $1,635,000 was budgeted for the 2012-13 financial year for the camp's redevelopment.
Mrs Martin said the council could decide to bring that budget forward. Council officers were not recommending an option of shutting the camp's gates for two years until then, she said.
The camp has 27 powered and two unpowered sites, four cabins and a manager's house.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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