CHANGES to refueling regulations at Lake Keepit have caused unrest among local park goers.
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Reflections Holiday Parks announced earlier in the month that six of their parks around the state would see new regulations come into place, which would no longer allow visitors to decant their own petrol while at the park.
The decision follows an independent review which saw the removal of the park’s fuel service.
As well as enforcing the new decant rules, guests will no longer be allowed to bring their own fuel drums or jerry cans into the park, instead they will have to leave them in a designated safe storage container for a staff member to decant for them.
Regular park visitor Rob Hooke told The Namoi Valley Independent the changes were setting a “nanny state precedent”.
“It goes right to the heart of independence if you ask me,” Mr Hooke said.
“I think it will lead to a great deal of frustration for visitors.
“To me it makes sense why the park operators have brought in these rules and I understand they have a job to do, but I am just so sick of this nanny state attitude.
“I think it creates a lack of personal responsibility and it does not surprise me that people are upset and in turn are speaking out about the changes online.”
Reflections Holiday Parks CEO Steve Edmonds said the changes were brought about for the safety of both visitors and staff.
“The safety of all guests, visitors and employees is the highest priority of Reflections, environmental concerns were also a significant factor considered,” Mr Edmonds said.
“Whilst Reflections Holiday Parks encourages people to be responsible for their own actions, Reflections also has responsibilities to our staff and guests to provide a safe working environment and also a safe environment where people can come and enjoy the wonderful locations we have on offer.”
Mr Edmonds said the independent review uncovered several safety concerns for both staff and visitors.
“A risk assessment was conducted in conjunction with an external expert,” he said.
“There were a varying range of issues across our inland parks including legislative non compliance as well as safety and environmental concerns.
“Our number one priority is the safety of our guests and the environment.
“The audit also highlighted unsafe decanting practices within the parks which can be highly dangerous.”
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The CEO said the review and risk assessment showed that bringing the current fuel facilities up to code would not be the best course of action.
“Due to the age and state of the current infrastructure it has been determined that bringing the current infrastructure up to standard would not be the best course of action to take our parks forward and provide great service to our guests,” Mr Edmonds said.
“We are now looking at new replacement facilities which will take some time to install.
“Our plan is to have them in place prior to the Christmas peak period if at all possible.”
It is expected the new safe fuel storage facilities will be in place at Lake Keepit in the coming weeks.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
