Werri Beach Caravan Park van owners were shocked by revelations there are no state government regulations limiting the proportion of holiday van sites there.
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Last week they were told by Kiama Council’s general manager and mayor Mark Honey that most of them would be forced out due to state government guidelines.
“Holidays vans currently make up 80 per cent of sites at Werri Beach,” Cr Honey said.
“We have negotiated with the NSW Government to reduce that to 60 per cent rather than the 50 per cent normally required by the guidelines.”
However, on Wednesday a spokesperson for the Department of Industry - Lands and Water confirmed that was not the case.
"There is no State Government policy or regulation limiting the number of holiday van sites on caravan parks situated on Crown land,” the spokesperson said.
"The Department of Industry - Lands and Water provides guidance to Crown Land Managers to help them determine the appropriate number of permanent holiday vans in a park, and encourages a range of facilities that cater to all users.”
A Kiama Council spokesman said council was in consultation with Crown Lands in preparing the development proposal.
The spokeperson said the Crown Lands Act changed on July 1, and provided a copy of the Act, printed in April, 1990, highlighting the following line:
As a general rule up to 50 per cent of the sites in tourist caravan parks on Crown Land will be allowed to accommodate a mix of long term residents and holiday vans.
Van owners still feel betrayed about how the matter has been dealt with.
“I can't believe they were deceiving us about this regulation,” Amy Harris said.
“People like this with such power is not right.”