Brooms Head Holiday Park Changes – Frequently Asked Questions

No. The Brooms Head Holiday Park sits within the Brooms Head Reserve. Council is the Crown Land Manager of the Reserve. Council is required to have a Plan of Management (PoM) for the whole Reserve. 

A Plan of Management (PoM) is required for the management of Crown Land by Crown Land managers. Council is the Crown Land Manager for Brooms Head Reserve, and as such is required to prepare a PoM for the Reserve.

No. The Brooms Head Reserve PoM is a strategic document that permits certain activities on the Reserve.
Camping is permitted on the Reserve within the Brooms Head Holiday Park, however the Brooms Head Reserve PoM notes the desirable reduction in the number of caravan/camping sites within the Reserve as a means of achieving a more balanced approach to use of space by day trippers to the Reserve and campers within.

• Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 2021 – provides for a range of regulatory requirements associated with the planning, development and operation of caravan parks (and like facilities) in NSW.
• Holiday Parks (Long term Casual Occupation) Act 2002 – Sets out the rights and obligations of Long Term Casuals, up to 180 days.
• Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013 – set out the rights and obligations of permanent occupants of caravan parks.
• Local Government Act – S68 of the Act permits the approval of certain activities, including caravan/holiday park operations. 

Under s68 of the Local Government Act, Approvals to Operate a Holiday/Caravan Park are issued to all operators of Holiday/Caravan Parks. The Approval to Operate includes actions the Operator must comply with. All Operators are required to have a copy of the Approval to Operate at the venue for which the Approval is issued.

As the operator, Council can make changes to the holiday park as long as the changes do not exceed the allowances of the Approval to Operate. Council is reducing the number of sites below the maximum permitted under the Approval to Operate. The approved ATO site numbers is 281.

Council is reducing the number of camp sites by removing foreshore camping for two reasons:

1. Compliance

• The original camp sites on the foreshore were designed in the mid 1900s when traditional camping was largely in smaller tents. Over the years camping traditions have changed, and larger caravans and RVs are now in use. The foreshore sites are too small to accommodate the modern camping traditions, which cause overcrowding and non compliance with site setbacks, boundary delineation and minimum site size of 50 square metres.

• Incidents of wastewater overflow onto the rocks on the foreshore from the self contained caravans and RVs have raised environmental and public health concerns.
• The turning of large RVS and caravans within a highly pedestrianised area causes safety concerns. The large vehicles also obstruct a clear of sight for pedestrians, many whom are children with no road safety skills.

2. Balance

There has been a long term strategic view that there should be a greater balance and use of community spaces, in particular the foreshore and beach, by both patrons of the Holiday Park and Reserve users (day trippers).  

Camping in Section B and AC is being phased out. The first restriction was removal of caravans and motorhomes from Section B. The second restriction applied to sections B and AC and will take effect from 7 May 2025.   

• The Brooms Head Holiday Park Camping and Caravanners Association has been made aware of the intention at Annual General Meetings.
• In February 2024, individuals with existing bookings at the Holiday Park at the time were advised in writing of the next stage of restrictions to be applied by the then Holiday Park manager – removal of caravans and motorhomes from Section B.   
• In December 2024, individuals with existing bookings at the Holiday Park at the time were advised in writing of the final stage of restrictions by Council as the Holiday Park manager – no bookings to be taken for Sections B and AC after 7 May 2025.    

As the village of Brooms Head is not sewered, Council has an Onsite Sewage Management system (OSM) that services the camp sites and amenities within the Brooms Head Reserve. OSMs are subject to approval under s68 of the Local Government Act.

The new OSM system was installed in 2023, becoming operational for the Christmas period 2023/2024.

From April to December 2024 the 780m long pressure rising main was replaced, four pump stations replaced, and an additional pump station installed.

To facilitate environmental protection, campers sullage waste and toilet cassette drop off bays have also been constructed at six locations across the park.

Yes. The replacement OSM is significantly larger than the original one and it can cater for day trippers and campers during peak seasons.

More information about the Brooms Head Holiday Park OSM can be found here: www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/Projects/Brooms-Head-onsite-sewage-management-system-upgrade

No. Council’s preferred location for treated wastewater is the treatment ponds, offsite. Continued use is dependent on Crown Lands agreement, and Council has committed to having a conversation with the community if it is forced by a decision beyond its control to make a change to Land Use application for wastewater generated by the Reserve.      

Yes. In 2024, Council worked with the EPA on the compliance of the greywater in B section.