GREY nomads and campers could be permanently banished from Dumaresq Dam under a new management plan.
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The popular beauty spot had become a de facto camping site until its septic toilet system broke in December, forcing a rethink on its use by Armidale Dumaresq Council.
A number of options for the site were mulled by councillors, including turning the area into an ecotourism facility.
That venture would have cost ratepayers about 27,300 a year, although about $23,200 of that would have been recouped with camping and licence fees. Instead, councillors opted for the cheaper option of maintaining the facility exclusively for Armidale residents and their visitors.
That will cost about $12,250 a year to maintain.
Currently, council officers pick up about 13 tonnes of unsorted waste from the grounds, making about 98 visits a year.
Concerns were raised that should Council allow camping at the site, toilet facilities would not be sufficient for a predicted influx of about 30 campers a day. The new management plan for Dumaresq Dam is tipped to be adopted at a full council meeting later this month.
It allows for expressions of interest for a business to hire kayaks and canoes and also for events to be held on site, although prior approval would need to be granted.
Also, the University of New England will continue to lease northern parts of Dumaresq Dam at an annual rate of $110 for research.
Permanent signs will be erected, prohibiting camping and Council will use websites and camping publications to advise of the change.