Newey File photo
It’s been a long time coming but the controversial matter of whether or not free camping at the Newey should be permitted has finally been decided.
The matter was tabled at Cobar Shire’s Ordinary Council Meeting last week with councillors voting ‘NO’ to allowing free camping at the Newey Reserve.
The matter was on the February meeting agenda however it was postponed to the March meeting to give councillors more time to read the extensive report on the subject.
At last week’s meeting, Cr Miranda Fry called for Council to adopt Director of Planning and Environmental Services, Garry Ryman’s report which in part recommended that the Newey Reserve draft Plan of Management 2025 be amended with item 2D which authorises the granting of parking of self-contained vehicles, to be deleted. ie that free camping not be a permitted activity.
Cr Bob Sinclair seconded the motion and there was little debate on the matter, other than an objection by Cr Lillian Simpson who called for an amendment.
“I would like to see us go ahead with the original plan,” Cr Simpson said.
Cr Simpson said she thought it would be better for the locals as well as visitors to have free camping at the Newey.
Cr Simpson’s amendment for the motion failed to gain a seconder and it lapsed.
Cr Nigel Vagg said it had been encouraging to see community input on this matter, through the variety of submissions received and community attendance at the council meeting.
“So obviously it’s important to some of the ratepayers and residents, and while those submissions reflected a somewhat diverse array of opinions, it’s encouraging that those opinions were expressed and the ratepaying and resident public took the time to forward those submissions, and it’s incumbent on the council, us as councillors, to make our decisions based on that information we see, whether it’s this issue or any other issue,” Cr Vaggs said.
Newey Reserve user, Julie Payne, who has been an outspoken advocate for banning free camping at the Newey for many years, was present at last week’s meeting and applauded the decision.
“Councillors have listened to the public and supported the public’s opinion by not allowing it, by removing the clause, to have campers at the Newey,” Mrs Payne said.
“It means we’ve adopted the Plan of Management, and we can now go on and do other things as grants become available and improve the whole experience at the Newey.
“We very much appreciated Councillor Vagg actually referring to the submissions that the public went to the trouble of putting in, and acknowledging that the big main thing for a Council to do is listen to what the people have to say and not act on their own personal views.”
