Cr John Nell called for the advice following the onsite inspection attended on August 27 by himself, Cr Sarah Smith and the council’s corporate services manager, Carmel Foster, along with 100 protesting residents.

The residents, along with both the Tomaree Residents and Ratepayers Association and the Shoal Bay Community Association, are opposed to any plans to develop the green corridor into an additional camping area.

TRRA’s Geoff Washington welcomed the news, saying “there does appear to be some legal uncertainty surrounding the processes followed in assigning this lot to the holiday park and this needs to put beyond doubt”.

“Given the weight of public opinion which wishes to see this land remain as public reserve available for a buffer zone, recreation, koala habitat and access, we request that any advice obtained by council clarifies whether the council has the power to determine the future use of this lot,” he said.

The land is owned by the NSW Government. The council did not have the authority to declare the allotment as a public park.

A council spokesperson said that extensive community consultation would be part of the process for new management plans for Halifax Holiday Park.

“This will be a lengthy process with no changes being implemented while it’s taking place,” the spokesperson said.

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