Issue of caravan park unresolved

The complex saga involving the caravan park in Mosgiel looks set to continue, with the Dunedin City Council now saying uncertainty surrounds lease negotiations.

Since May 2007, council has been in lease negotiations for the 12-berth caravan park, located in Gordon Rd, Mosgiel.

In March this year, council staff were confident a lease for the park would be awarded by June.

At last week's Mosgiel Taieri Community Board meeting, members of council's community and recreation department outlined a preferred option - to give Dunedin man Andrew Herbert the lease.

Community and recreation policy team leader Lisa Wheeler told the Otago Daily Times last week the lease process was now uncertain.

"We are still in negotiations but we are aware the proposed lessee may be reviewing his options," Mrs Wheeler said.

Council invited registrations of interest to operate the park last May, and had since received six applications.

Two applicants were interviewed and presented business plans.

Mrs Wheeler said council had two options for the residential 1 zoned land if negotiations were not successful.

Under a standing resolution it could close the park or could call for further registrations of interest, Mrs Wheeler said.

Any decision would be made following consultation with the Mosgiel Taieri Community Board, and council's community development committee, which would meet this month.

Council did not have a lot to with camping grounds and Waikouaiti and Mosgiel were on the to-do list.

"I'm sure in the last 10 years some [council] staff would have loved to have it put into private management, which would have benefits for community development and promotion of Mosgiel," Mrs Wheeler said.

"This summer has been good, with a slight increase in the numbers going through, but it is not hugely profitable for council."

The $1600 rental paid to council covered maintenance on an ablution block.

If closed, the park would be converted to reserve land and the 16 power-points and hedges removed.

An existing ablution block would be used by sports teams.

Mr Herbert would not comment to the Otago Daily Times on lease negotiations.

The 12-bay caravan park, on the boundary of Mosgiel Memorial Park, has operated for 39 years.

In 2006, it was found two-thirds of the camping ground sites were occupied by permanent residents, breaching the Reserves Act, which states habitation must not exceed 50 continuous days.

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