THE Mount Isa Campdraft could be a thing of the past unless council gives it some relief on lease costs, according to the local Campdraft Association.
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Association president Peter Hacon addressed Mount Isa City Council’s meeting on Wednesday to say their lease costs were excessive and they simply could not afford it.
“Our group has developed a facility which in many places is provided by the local council and as a result of what we have developed, we have made Mount Isa a more liveable city,” Mr Hacon said.
“But if council insists on full payment of our outstanding fees, we may have to walk away from the development.”
Mr Hacon said council charged them $6228 a year less a two-year discount of $2500 but they did not receive any council services at the ground which he said they (the campdraft committee) developed from a “barren block of land”.
“Council must not lose sight of the fact we are volunteers who have worked tirelessly to be bring campdraft back to Mount Isa,” he said.
“Before we developed this facility, our campdraft went to Camooweal and then ceased for years.
“We don’t want that to happen again.”
Mr Hacon asked council have a fresh look at their charges and also requested a breakdown of the lease charges and what council described a “significant amount of in kind support”.
“The last thing we want is for future generations not to be able to use the facility we have developed if we have to walk away,” he said.
“We are not asking for something for nothing, just (for council) to give us a fair go.”
Mr Hacon’s submission was backed by vet Ed Butterworth who outlined the big economic impact of campdraft who brought hundreds of people to town for the week all spending money.
Mayor Joyce McCulloch thanked the committee and said they would have to take away their submission and get back to them.
She told the North West Star council had voted on the matter a number of weeks ago and Deputy Mayor Phil Barwick said council could not set a precedent.
“We get these types from a lot of organisations that are struggling and we have to deal with everyone in the same capacity,” he said.