West Coast Mayor Phil Vickers said following a complex, but successful negotiation of a new 10-year Head Lease with the Crown for the existing Macquarie Heads Campground site, Council had resolved to grant existing temporary permit holders a further four-year temporary permit.

These arrangements are being put in place following an extensive review of the campground operation and after initiating a complex transition process for permit arrangements last year.

Any new permit holders coming on line after 30 June 2018 will be granted two-year temporary permits.

“Council believes these arrangements will provide existing permit holders with the security they need,” Mayor Vickers said.

“New permit holders will be given two-year temporary permits, which I think will be sufficient to attract new users to the area.”

Mayor Vickers said the changes were timely considering Council had received a State Government grant of $200,000 for expansion of the facility.

“With receipt of the State Government grant and an additional $350,000 flagged for next years’ budget by Council, we can now move forward to not only ensure the long-term sustainability of the campground but look to create a best practice operation and an exciting drawcard for tourism into the future” Mayor Vickers said.

“Council will now contact all existing permit holders to discuss the new arrangements and do the necessary scoping and planning to get the upgrade / expansion project underway in the next financial year.”