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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-07-22 Daily Xml
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CARAVAN, TOURIST AND RESIDENTIAL PARKS

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:59): Is the Minister for Urban Development and Planning aware of the difficulties for developing effective planning policies posed by the lack of specific zoning for caravan parks? What is the minister doing to provide greater certainty to caravan park operators and their tenants?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (14:59): Let me declare that I have met with a couple of caravan park owners and their tenants in the course of this decision. The honourable member is correct in that caravan, tourist and residential parks present a challenge for planning policy. Until recently, there was no specific zoning requirement for caravan and tourist parks, despite their proliferation throughout metropolitan Adelaide and near country areas.

There are 47 different types of zoning that apply to caravan park sites across South Australia. It was this uncertainty that prompted the government last December to adopt an interim measure. Most caravan park sites in Adelaide and near-country areas have now been rezoned to one of two specific-purpose caravan park zonings: a caravan and tourist park zone which is for caravan parks entirely or predominantly used by tourists for short-term stays with only a minority (if any) of the park dedicated to long-term accommodation; and a residential park zone for caravan parks primarily used to meet the demands of long-term residents and a minority of tourists.

These two new zones ensure that caravan parks are specifically designated and protected from redevelopment outside their current use unless rezoning is sought and gained. As this interim measure expires in December this year, I have decided to appoint a working group to advise me on the best course of action for a more permanent solution to the issue of caravan park zoning. The working group consists of members from relevant government agencies associated with the caravan, tourist and residential parks industry.

The group will ensure that any update of this government's development rules for caravan, tourist and residential parks takes into consideration housing affordability and consumer protection. It will also provide advice on the criteria for establishing the economic viability of caravan, tourist and residential parks, identify areas for future park sites and recommend an appropriate process for rezoning existing sites.

The members of the working group are: Ms Jennifer Spiteri, operations manager of the Tenancies Branch of the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs; Mr John Hanlon, executive director of the Office for State/Local Government Relations; Mr David Lake, policy manager for the South Australian Tourism Commission; Anni Telford, senior project officer of the Office for Homelessness and High Needs Housing; Mr Richard Davis, president of SA Parks; Mr Martin Banham, vice president of SA Parks; and Mr George Vanco from my office.

In the next six months, the working group will consult with the public and stakeholders about any long-term changes to development plans required under South Australia's planning and development laws. This government's objective is to provide greater certainty, simplicity and consistency to the land zoning for caravan parks in Adelaide and near-country areas. By replacing the array of different zoning, the Rann Labor government aims to provide certainty to caravan park users, residents and neighbours about the future use of caravan park sites.

Let me stress that the two new types of zoning created by this interim measure have not changed the ownership of land or land tenure of any existing caravan park site. Of the 44 caravan parks operating in metropolitan Adelaide and nearby country areas, 31 have been zoned as caravan and tourist parks and 11 have been zoned as residential parks. Two have had their zone split between two categories.

The interim zoning policies have been inserted into the development plans of the 17 local councils affected by this holding measure so as to guide their development of proposed caravan parks. The policies ensure that any new parks are located to provide appropriate access to public services and facilities as well as a safe environment. I hope that local government, caravan park operators and other affected members of the South Australian community will cooperate fully with the working group to ensure the best outcome for all stakeholders.

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