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Holiday park license loophole
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p16 Three parks, seven years, no license Maria Lewis
A
n investigation into holiday park rate rises has unearthed questions about why multiple Kiama Council-run holiday parks have not been licensed for seven years – and the loophole that continues to let them operate. Whilst speaking with park representatives about a recent rate rise – now confirmed as above 10 per cent – an insider told The Bugle, “we all know these parks haven’t
had a license since 2017 – get someone on the record about that.” When The Bugle approached Kiama Council for comment, a spokesperson confirmed that only two of the five parks operated by Council – Kiama Harbour Cabins & Surf Beach Holiday Park – are currently licensed. “It is not accurate to say they have been unlicensed since 2017,” they clarified. “The NSW Government changed legislation in 2021 which meant all holiday parks in the Kiama LGA needed to
upgrade facilities to meet the new compliance regulations. Kiama Harbour Cabins & Surf Beach Holiday Park are licensed to operate. “Kendalls Holiday Park is awaiting NSW Government concurrence, and it is expected that a licence to operate will be issued shortly. “Werri Beach and Seven Mile are in the final stages of being assessed and approval is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.” When asked for further details on the applications, Kiama Council confirmed that
Werri Beach and Seven Mile Beach Holiday Parks licenses had both expired in September of 2019, with applications lodged in 2020. Kendalls Holiday Park’s license expired in June, 2021, with an application lodged before that date in 2020. While it may be hard to imagine how a business can operate without a license for seven years, there does appear to be a loophole in legislation that allows it. Continued on page 3
Maria Lewis is a best-selling author, journalist, and author of over 20-years who also owns a permanent site in the Kiama Council LGA.
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