Reference number: 7.2026.984.1
Application: Tourist Park (8 Cabins)
My name: Jessie Sticklen
My address 22 tasol st Bli bli
- mothers property is one of the neighbours to the subject property requesting 8 cabins
To the Planning Assessment Team,
I am writing to formally comment on the above development application, as the daughter of the neighbour owner of the property immediately neighbouring the proposed site. I have significant concerns about the impact this development will have on my family home, my mothers quality of life, local wildlife and the environment, and my property rights. I request that all these matters be fully considered before any decision is made.
1. Privacy and amenity
For some time now, the neighbouring property has been used to accommodate paying guests and campers, advertised and booked through online platforms such as Hipcamp. As shown on Hipcamp websites, there are multiple separate sites already operating commercially, with a total capacity far greater than appears to have been disclosed:
• “A Over Nighter” – sleeps up to 3 people
• “Possum Patch” – sleeps up to 5 people, with 5 separate spots available
• “Platypus Bend” – sleeps up to 5 people, with 6 separate spots available – noted as still being developed with dams and waterfalls planned
• “Froggy Flat” – sleeps up to 5 people, with 12 separate spots available
• “Dingo Ridge Powered” – sleeps up to 5 people, with 4 separate powered spots available
• In addition, there are 31 undesignated vehicle/tent sites also listed on the platform
In total, the site currently advertises space for at least 233 people to stay at any one time. Even at this existing capacity, it has caused ongoing stress and disturbance – including frequent noise at all hours, increased vehicle movements, campfires, pets roaming freely (states on website pets are to be on lead), and constant overlooking of my mums home and property . Many of these sites lack basic facilities such as drinking water or proper waste disposal, creating additional risks and impacts on the local environment and neighbours. The fact that areas are still being expanded and developed – without any planning approval – is also of serious concern.
The proposal to build 8 cabins will drastically increase the number of people staying on the site, and will make these problems far worse. From the plans and the layout of the land, it is clear that the cabins and associated areas already over look our property. This will result in a complete loss of privacy, and will make it impossible for me to enjoy my own home and outdoor spaces in peace. My mother is an older person and value the quiet and seclusion of my home – this development threatens to take that away entirely.
2. Environmental impact
I am deeply concerned about the effect the existing operation – and the proposed expansion – is having on the local environment and native wildlife, particularly platypus and turtles which are known to live in the waterways running through and adjacent to the property.
We have documented instances where the neighbours of the homestead have cleared vegetation and altered sections of these waterways, directly disturbing important platypus habitat. Platypus are nocturnal, shy and highly sensitive to human activity, light and noise. Even now, with numbers of campers staying close to the creeks and dams, there is constant artificial light after dark, loud voices, music, vehicle noise (doors opening and closing) and campfire activity – all of which disrupt their natural behaviour, breeding and feeding patterns. These impacts are already evident, and the addition of 8 cabins will bring even more people, more lighting and more activity right alongside these sensitive habitats.
Platypus are a protected native species, and any development or activity that harms or disturbs them or their environment is a serious matter. There has been no proper ecological assessment carried out for either the existing use or the proposed cabins, and I believe the council has a duty to ensure that our unique local wildlife is not put at risk by commercial tourism operations.
3. Use of the easement
There is a registered easement over my land that provides access to this neighbouring property. When this was established, it was intended for private residential use only. However, it is now being used to service what is effectively a large-scale commercial operation – with regular vehicles, camping trailers and caravans, deliveries, and heavy traffic associated with guests staying. If 8 cabins are approved, the volume and frequency of use will rise substantially.
We have made it clear the easement has always been for the accesses for residential use- placing an unreasonable burden on my property and completely changing the nature of the easement. We have evidence of them changing our land around the easement taking out native trees and planting invasive bamboo very close to the water edge -
I believe that such significant and commercial use is not consistent with the original purpose of the easement. Before any approval is granted, I request that the council review whether this use is lawful, and if so, that conditions are imposed to:
• Limit the type, size and frequency of traffic using the easement;
• Require the neighbour to contribute to maintenance costs, given the increased wear and tear;
• Or require the easement to be formally modified or redefined to reflect its new use, with appropriate compensation to me as the landowner burdened by it.
4. Compatibility with the area
The surrounding area is primarily residential and rural-residential in character. A tourist park with 8 cabins – on top of the already extensive informal camping operation – represents a significant change in land use and intensity, which is out of keeping with the quiet, low-density nature of the neighbourhood. There has been no proper assessment of how this development will affect local traffic, waste management, water supply, fire safety, noise levels or environmental values – all of which will impact not just my property, but the wider community.
Safety concerns -
Take into consideration if an emergency was to happen would all people be using my parents easement? To my knowledge there is no other path to use or evacuate on.
In addition, the site is already operating at a scale that far exceeds what would normally be permitted in this zone, and the proposed cabins will only formalise and expand this excessive use. There is no evidence that the existing commercial activity, ongoing clearing or development works were ever approved, and the application should not be treated as an opportunity to retrospectively legitimise an operation that is already causing harm to neighbours, wildlife and the environment.
4. Further risks and conduct of the operator
It is clear that the operator has no regard for planning laws, environmental protection or the rights of neighbours. He has directly messaged my family member making threats to construct a petting zoo right on the water’s edge, in the section closest to my mums home – an area already identified as sensitive platypus habitat.
This threat confirms that the proposed 8 cabins are only the start of his plans, and that he intends to keep expanding and intensifying the operation, regardless of rules or impact. A petting zoo in this location would:
• Cause even more noise, smell, light and human activity right next to sensitive wildlife areas
• Increase the risk of waste, runoff and pollution entering the waterways
• Be visually intrusive and destroy any remaining privacy for my property
• Be completely unapproved and illegal if carried out
His aggressive and threatening behaviour towards my family also demonstrates a complete lack of willingness to operate considerately or responsibly. This pattern of conduct means that even if conditions are imposed, there is no guarantee they will be followed. The council must take this into account – approving any part of this expansion will only encourage further unauthorised development.
Conclusion
I strongly object to this application in its current form. The proposed development will cause serious and permanent harm to my quality of life, to protected native wildlife and their habitats, breaches the intended use of the easement over my family land, and is inconsistent with the character of the area.
The fact that the site is already advertising accommodation close to 250 people – without proper approval, adequate facilities, or consideration for neighbours or the environment – makes the proposal even more concerning. It suggests a pattern of operating outside planning rules with little regard for local regulations or the impact on others, including vulnerable native species such as platypus.
I ask that the council either:
• Refuse the application entirely, or
• Require substantial changes to reduce its impact – including limiting total guest numbers to a level appropriate for the area, relocating buildings away from waterways and sensitive habitats, installing appropriate lighting to reduce light pollution, implementing stricter noise controls, providing proper facilities to minimise environmental harm, stopping unauthorised clearing and expansion works, and addressing the legal and practical issues with the easement and existing unapproved use.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide these comments and can supply supporting evidence for your reference as I am happy to provide further information or meet with you to discuss my concerns in person if required.
Yours sincerely,
Jessie sticklen
3/4/26
