Canvas motel site
PARTS of Tamworth’s CBD could take a different shape during the 2013 Country Music Festival if a development application on exhibition at the moment gets legs, or should we say pegs.
The development application seeks to establish Viaduct Park, on Macquarie St, as a temporary camping ground for the duration of the 10-day festival.
About 200 tents would be erected at the Peel St end of Viaduct Park on the O’Connell St side of the viaduct overpass if the proposal gets the green light.
The development application suggests the council-run tent city would be set up in the week leading up to festival, about January 11, and removed immediately on the last day of festival, Sunday, January 27.
The statement of environmental effects, lodged as part of the application, also covers the installation of toilet and shower facilities, generators, lighting towers and directional signage.
It is also suggested provisions would be made inside the temporary camping ground on the viaduct oval for parking.
The DA suggests cars would enter and exit the tent city parking area from O’Connell St.
The development application also seeks to gain approval for other activities, including performances,
promotional activities, displays and marquees within the camp grounds.
When tenders are sought for the tent city, the employed contractor would be required to show they had sufficient staff and plant equipment to support the city throughout the 10-day festival period to deal with any issues to repair, replace or remove infrastructure associated with the site.
As part of the development application, campers using the viaduct grounds would be required to keep noise to a minimum between midnight and 6am.
Council would provide garbage and recycling bins and rubbish removal would be undertaken daily.
All campers at the site would be supplied the same information pack containing conditions of entry, maps, contact numbers and instructions in case of an emergency – similar to the pack handed out at the Carter St camping grounds.
Tenders have already been sought from companies interested in supplying the tents and other associated infrastructure.
Destination Tamworth business events manager Gavin Flanagan said during the tent city’s first year, the view was to have a couple of hundred tents on site.
“We would look to increase that number in coming years,” Mr Flanagan said.
He said the idea for the tent city had developed after council identified a need for low-cost accommodation during the festival.
“Camping grounds at Riverside, which are run by various sporting clubs and community groups,
provide fantastic accommodation facilities for visitors to the festival who are self-sufficient with motor homes, caravans and tents,” Mr Flanagan said.
“However, for those who come to the festival and are looking for a budget accommodation alternative, this new festival village will hopefully cater for their needs.
“The festival blueprint, surveys and feedback had pointed to this type of accommodation being required to fill the gap in the market.
“ The tents will provide comfortable accommodation without the need to bring your own equipment.”
Mr Flanagan said patrons at the camp would be able to book a tent, turn up and stay, then leave without having to pack up.
“Just like a motel – only canvas,” he said.
“The precinct will be fully gated and security will be stationed overnight with the village staffed by accommodation professionals to ensure everyone has an enjoyable stay.”
Mr Flanagan said to date one negative submission had been received about the proposal.
“The person was contacted by council and we were able to allay some of their concerns in relation to the precinct,” he said.
The full development application is on exhibition at Ray Walsh House until Tuesday.
Submissions from the public will be accepted until 5pm on that date.