A Shoalhaven City Council recommendation to erect a boom gate at the Tabourie Holiday Haven Tourist Park was last week blocked by Councillor Amanda Findley who has called for community consultation.

Cr Findley said the recommendation to the NSW Department of Lands has been deferred until council talks to Tabourie residents about the plan.

She said a boom gate at the park entrance would limit access to the car park near the lake entrance and the southern end of Wairo Beach.

“This is a popular beach and if people are locked out they will have a long walk.

“It’s not fair to restrict public access to our beaches,” she said.

Cr Findley is pleased council will consult the community after her call was supported by councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting.

“When it was suggested that we lock the public out of the reserve by installing a boom gate to protect the paying customers and keeping the car park private, there was only one response that needed to be given – no!

“The argument against the boom was strong and we at least now have a commitment to consultation before any further action is taken.”

Cr Findley said Holiday Haven Tourist Parks are located on Crown Reserves throughout the Shoalhaven and provide a huge amount of dollars into council’s revenue.

”Councils across NSW have been given license to operate caravan parks on Crown Reserves, one of the conditions of the license is that they provide camping areas and not have the majority of the parks swallowed up by private vans and council cabins.

“This historic decision supported equity for all people no matter how big your wallet.

“The very idea of Crown Reserves in my opinion is the essence of public access.

“There has been no community consultation about the erection of a boom gate and no alternate access to the car park and that end of the beach, except by foot.”

Cr Findley said the recommendation was “foolish” and was unlikely to be supported by the community and visitors to the area.