Armidale Dumaresq Dam is CLOSED for everything from today for essential health and safety reasons. The toilets have become totally unsafe and unpleasant and they are also sited just above the creek.
We were told that it will be re-opened after new toilets and other upgrades are completed. Armidale Damaresq council will confirm. Local Press and Prime TV have investigated and no doubt will report.
Council had little choice and to their credit, gave 24 hours notice to campers.
Nelly said
09:43 AM Jan 17, 2014
It will be interesting to see how long before the council decide to do anything about the upgrades etc.
Nomadicman said
10:25 AM Jan 17, 2014
As this is a major facility for locals and I know a couple got onto council straight away, I think it will be relatively quick. The staff on the ground said they have no info but thought it would receive a high priority. But at the same time locals are complaining about a proposed 20% local rates increase.
In December last year, the park management committee discussed a $10 camping fee (maintaining facilities and deterring long term stayers were reasons reported to me) but I believe no decision was reached.
Oh, and travellers can check with the Armidale tourist information offices about alternatives as caravanners told me yesterday that restrictions at other location would be lifted while the Dam is unavailable ...eg at the Uralla rest area.... but I cannot confirm this.
oldbobsbus said
09:12 AM Jan 18, 2014
I am hoping the Uralla rest area is ok for an overnight stop as we may pull in there on Mon arvo on the way to Tamworth..
KFT said
09:23 AM Jan 18, 2014
Uralla should be ok Bob if a little more popular than usual
plenty places to pull up along that road if a rest area is full.
frank
oldbobsbus said
09:38 AM Jan 18, 2014
Thanks Frank, Depends what time we get away but it is good to know just incase..
Nomadicman said
10:26 AM Jan 18, 2014
In Uralla I stayed at the historic cemetary (Thunderbolt). Toilet, water is located at two corners of the fence, on the inside. As well as the parking area by the toilet, there's a large grassed area diagonally opposite from it.
Nelly said
12:38 PM Jan 19, 2014
Mother of Ducks Lagoon at Guyra is also a great stopover. The Lamb and Potato Festival is on there.
KFT said
04:46 PM Jan 19, 2014
Local news is reporting that the council is looking for a temporary fix to enable the area to be reopened while a more permanent solution is found.
SO could that mean they are being hounded by potential visitors and campers who are not happy that council appears to have dropped the ball or are local businesses missing out or both perhaps.
only time will tell I suppose.
frank
Nomadicman said
05:50 PM Jan 19, 2014
I think neither Frank: visitors don't vote and the number at the dam has little impact on a town with so many business...and visitors typically spend at the big supermarkets who wouldn't notice the difference. More likely it's locals who are complaining: certainly the ones I spoke to were upset that they will lose the main recreational activity area at this time of year and each said they'd get onto the council.
But don't expect too much, given our relative unimportance I would not be surprised to see the core facilities re-opened but with a 'no camping' limitation.
KFT said
07:08 PM Jan 19, 2014
Nomadicman
on reflection I think you may be spot on
the locals certainly do value that rec area very highly and they may well be the motivating force for council after all they are the ratepayers.
I have many friends in Armidale who I am certain will also push the camping issue as well.
It is the least I can do to help preserve such a magnificent camp area.
Armidale Dumaresq Dam is CLOSED for everything from today for essential health and safety reasons. The toilets have become totally unsafe and unpleasant and they are also sited just above the creek.
We were told that it will be re-opened after new toilets and other upgrades are completed. Armidale Damaresq council will confirm. Local Press and Prime TV have investigated and no doubt will report.
Council had little choice and to their credit, gave 24 hours notice to campers.
As this is a major facility for locals and I know a couple got onto council straight away, I think it will be relatively quick. The staff on the ground said they have no info but thought it would receive a high priority. But at the same time locals are complaining about a proposed 20% local rates increase.
In December last year, the park management committee discussed a $10 camping fee (maintaining facilities and deterring long term stayers were reasons reported to me) but I believe no decision was reached.
Oh, and travellers can check with the Armidale tourist information offices about alternatives as caravanners told me yesterday that restrictions at other location would be lifted while the Dam is unavailable ...eg at the Uralla rest area.... but I cannot confirm this.
plenty places to pull up along that road if a rest area is full.
frank
In Uralla I stayed at the historic cemetary (Thunderbolt). Toilet, water is located at two corners of the fence, on the inside. As well as the parking area by the toilet, there's a large grassed area diagonally opposite from it.
SO could that mean they are being hounded by potential visitors and campers who are not happy that council appears to have dropped the ball or are local businesses missing out or both perhaps.
only time will tell I suppose.
frank
I think neither Frank: visitors don't vote and the number at the dam has little impact on a town with so many business...and visitors typically spend at the big supermarkets who wouldn't notice the difference. More likely it's locals who are complaining: certainly the ones I spoke to were upset that they will lose the main recreational activity area at this time of year and each said they'd get onto the council.
But don't expect too much, given our relative unimportance I would not be surprised to see the core facilities re-opened but with a 'no camping' limitation.
on reflection I think you may be spot on
the locals certainly do value that rec area very highly and they may well be the motivating force for council after all they are the ratepayers.
I have many friends in Armidale who I am certain will also push the camping issue as well.
It is the least I can do to help preserve such a magnificent camp area.
frank