A concept plan and schedule of works for an RV (recreational vehicle) park in Crookwell has been presented to the Upper Lachlan Shire Council at the ordinary council meeting held on September 19.
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The proposed park is on a parcel of land owned by Transport for NSW and managed by John Holland on the corner of Park and Colyer streets, near the disused Crookwell Railway Station.
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It is not part of the land leased by the Crookwell Heritage Railway Group.
It is also adjacent to the Crookwell Men's Shed.
In a report to the council, the director of finance and administration said that both of the groups supported the proposal for the council to lease the land and establish an RV park.
"We believe an RV park in Park Street would be fully compatible with our activities," a letter to the Upper Lachlan Shire Council from the Crookwell Heritage Railway Group stated.
"[We] look forward to the time when the area is tidied up from its current neglected physical state.
"We do not envisage any aspects of RV parking activities that will affect our operations.
"The Park Street site offers a number of significant benefits including the relatively short distance to the main shopping and business end of the main street in Crookwell."
The report to council stated that the preparation of a lease agreement with Transport for NSW may take considerable time to negotiate and finalise.
It is understood that the council will apply for a lease before any further work is completed.
If the land is leased works at the site are estimated at $130,000 - this is for signage, fencing, driveway and road access construction and tree removal.
The amount is unbudgeted, the report continued.
In 2017, Bigga and Gunning were recognised as part of an RV Friendly Town program, an initiative of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA).
At the heart of the program, when RV tourists enter a town displaying the RV Friendly Town sign, people know they will be visiting a town where they will be welcomed, have access to appropriate facilities, and a safe place to stay overnight or longer.
Denise Perry, owner of the Federal Hotel at Bigga, says the RV park at Bigga is getting busier and many guests are return travellers.
"It's a very positive thing, it promotes the local area," she said.
Mrs Perry says it is positive for the economy and regional tourism.
"They spend money here, they definitely do," she said.
"We just had 15 RVs up there and most of those had two people in each; some were single males.
"It's very positive ... some of the people book ahead and come down for dinner or a beer in the afternoon...
"Helen (Faros) at the shop (Bigga General Store) has barista coffee of a morning and cakes and they all come down and eat the cake in the shops and buy other things."
The council will now make an application and negotiate for the lease of the land.
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