PLANS to turn Charleston Willows into a camping ground could threaten the viability of the Armidale Showground, its chairman says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rob Taber, Chairman of the Showground Reserve Trust says it has been wrestling with council for the past 12 months to be recognised as a caravan park, even though it had been used as such for 100 years.
But Council has submitted a development application for Charleston Willows to be made into a camping site. It is a move which Mr Taber claims would "seriously damage the outcome of the sustainability of the showground".
About a quarter of the showground's income comes from campers and caravans.
Mr Taber first learned of the development two weeks ago at a meeting with the Armidale Crown Lands Office.
He said the last barrier for the Armidale Showground becoming a recognised camping and caravan park was creating a brochure showing its facilities. Mr Taber says most other conditions have been met, such as installing speed limit signs and laundry facilities.
The development application for the Charleston Willows site will be on display at council until March 27.
