COLIN Gadd eyes the future of Dumaresq Dam as a spike in vandalism and illegal dumping there has forced a rethink on camping.
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Armidale Dumaresq Council is mulling locking the beauty spot at night and turning it over to eco-tourism.
“Following the closure of Apex lookout at night, anti-social behaviour has been displaced to other areas, namely North Armidale Sporting Complex and Dumaresq Dam,” rangers reported to Council on Monday. “Staff have reported an increase in fires being lit … and the evidence of associated drinking parties. Illegal dumping of rubbish has also been noted at Dumaresq Dam.”
Officers are looking at employing security guards to lock up the facility at night, although this has to be costed.
Cr Gadd said the rise in vandalism at the popular beauty spot seemed to start after camping was forbidden there in February.
Rob Richardson agreed, asking whether the facility should be made into a “proper camping facility”.
“We need sources of revenue and Dumaresq Dam is a potential place to create income,” Cr Richardson said.
Camping was banned at the dam in February after the septic system overflowed due to overuse by campers. Council is now looking at building a new toilet block, which would cost at least $900,000.
Public Infrastructure Director David Stellar touted the idea of opening the facility to eco-tourism and charging campers a small fee to use the site for canoeing and abseiling.
A report on the matter will be compiled by officers and presented to Council in October.