SCENIC Rim farmers hosting ‘Hip Camp’ campers on their properties were given less than a week to comply with Scenic Rim Regional Council regulations or close their camping operations following a crackdown by Council.
The Canungra Times spoke to several affected farmers who agreed on the condition that they remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from Council.
One operator said they are navigating compliance issues, however they are aware of ten properties that had closed camping sites recently.
“It just got too much for them,” they stated.
“They closed down because they didn’t feel they had a choice.”
Many of the properties affected are working farms, with small numbers of campers supplementing their farm income.
Several operators were contacted in 2023 regarding a Council education program for tourist operators, however the operators said the program consisted of Council officers visiting properties to assess compliance rather than helping to educate.
“We were harassed by a compliance officer, they were rude and entered our property without approval, opening sheds and entering buildings,” an operator stated.
Many of the operators have been told they need to submit development applications in order to continue to allow campers on their properties.
“What they don’t understand is that we are just farmers not developers,” said another farmer with a Hip Camp listing.
“The point of farming is to make money, to have an income.”
“The money they want for development applications is out of reach for most people.”
Campgrounds closed include Sarabah Camping, owned and operated by Cr Stephen Moriarty.
Hipcamp is the world’s leading booking platform for glamping, camping, and outdoor stays with hosts protected by up to $10 million general liability insurance.
Regulations
Under the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme (2020), a Rural zoned property of over 20 hectares is able to have not more than five camping sites without a development application.
Council has sited road conditions, bushfire and flooding risks in compliance correspondence sent to operators.
Council’s actions come after an announcement it achieved ECO Destination Certification, ‘underscoring its strong commitment to sustainable tourism’.
Scenic Rim Regional Council was asked to comment on this issue, but a response was not received by deadline.
