A DRAFT amended policy, as it applies to bunkhouse style accommodation, would hinder growth, industry representatives say.
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Dennis Stone from Stoney Park Water Sports and Recreation opposes the council’s proposed development contribution fees as the council has grouped bunkhouse accommodation with accommodation styles such as bed and breakfasts, hostels and guesthouses.
Mr Stone said he believed this was an unfair grouping.
Former park owner Christopher Willmott agrees.
He said the grouping would work against efforts to make the Hastings a tourism mecca in NSW.
Mr Willmott urged the council to reconsider for the sake of a major industry in town.
The bunkhouse argument is the maximum of people allowed per site has not increased and therefore neither has demand on public services.
The two speakers at the July council meeting urged the council to rethink its draft amended development contributions policy.
The draft amended policy aims to provide simple and standard criteria to assess contributions for developments.
Council’s development and environmental services director Matt Rogers said there was not a specific category for bunkhouses under the policy and the nearest category included a range of tourism accommodation uses.
Cr Geoff Hawkins said the essence of the council report was to place the draft amended plan on exhibition and for staff to come back in three months’ time with another report to pick up on the points raised in the submissions.
He said that was appropriate.
Cr Rob Turner said he had sympathy for Mr Willmott and Mr Stone.
“I think we need to do whatever we can to ensure tourism operators are given as much support from council to provide a service which benefits the entire local government area,” he said.
Cr Turner welcomed the opportunity for the community to have a say about the draft amended policy and for the council to reconsider the matter at the October council meeting.
Cr Mike Cusato encouraged people to lodge submissions in response to the draft amended policy.
Cr Lisa Intemann said while improvements could always be made, the council was headed down a path of assisting businesses, particularly small businesses, through the proposed amended policy.
The proposed policy changes relate to the assessment and payment of development contributions for business, student accommodation and storage premises.
They include a new category for student accommodation and provisions for deferral of contribution payments up to five years with security of a charge on land or bank guarantee.
Another proposed change relates to payment provisions of water, sewer and section 94 contributions for non-residential development by instalment over 24 months for amounts up to $50,000.
People have until August 26 to make submissions about the draft amended policy.
Go to www.pmhclistening.com.au/development-contributions-assessment-policy for more information.