An application to create a 181-site tourist park has been lodged after the local council became aware the popular hinterland site was being used for camping without necessary approvals.
The proposal seeks to establish 148 powered sites, 33 unpowered sites and associated amenities buildings at the Kenilworth Showgrounds.
The Kenilworth Showground Society made the application to Sunshine Coast Council on April 4.
“It is noted that Kenilworth Showgrounds is an existing tourist park that has successfully provided short-term accommodation for many years ancillary to the showgrounds use,” a planning report prepared by Murray and Associates (QLD) Pty Ltd states.
“As such, it is clearly evident via the success of the existing operations that the site is well suited for the proposed use.”
The operators of the site were issued with a Show Cause notice by the council in April 2022 for “alleged unauthorised use of the premises as a commercial caravan park”.
A council spokesperson told Sunshine Coast News it had been working with the show society since then to make the facility compliant with planning laws.
“This application has been lodged after council became aware that the showgrounds were being used for camping, without necessary approvals in place,” they said.
“Council issued a Show Cause notice in April 2022 and since this time has been working with the Kenilworth Show Society to rectify the identified issues.
“The extended timeframe to submit the required development application was the result of a complex site history and the need for a range of technical reports, including a detailed flood model.”
The nine-hectare site is on the corner of Maleny Kenilworth Road and Charles Street, with frontage to the Mary River on its eastern boundary. It is currently zoned for Sport and Recreation.
The Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme defines a tourist park as: “Premises used to provide for accommodation in caravans, self-contained cabins, tents and similar structures for the public for short term holiday purposes. The use may include, where ancillary, a manager’s residence and office, kiosk, amenity buildings, food and drink outlet, or the provision of recreation facilities for the use of occupants of the tourist park and their visitors, and accommodation for staff.”
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The planning report says the tourist park would bring economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits to the surrounding community.
“Expansion of the tourist park will improve the economic viability of local producers/businesses by providing increased foot traffic to market stalls and nearby shops,” it states.
“Increasing the available accommodation on site will provide greater opportunities for visitors to be exposed to/engage in the local culture of the Kenilworth area.”
The main location for entry and exit, including check-in and check-out, would be via Charles Street.
An adventure nature play area is also proposed.
The Kenilworth Hall, Recreation Grounds and Show Society website states that its facilities are owned by the community.
“Our facilities include powered and unpowered camp sites for campers, (and) ample toilet and shower facilities ($1 coin gives you a three-minute hot shower),” it says.
“The grounds include cricket oval, rodeo arena, cattle yards, campdraft cutout yard, swimming pool and skate park.”
The Application for a Development Permit for Material Change of Use to Establish a Tourist Park is subject to code assessment.
The Kenilworth Showground Society was asked for comment but no response was received.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
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