Every now and then a rumour surfaces about an impending sale of the Fred Rogers Recreation Camp at Storm King Dam.
It’s happening again during the lead-up to the local government elections.
Councillor Cynthia McDonald has published a video, shot from Storm King Dam, about it.
“I am concerned. I have been told that this facility may be sold off in the near future,” she said in a Facebook post on 29 February.
“This is a brilliant community asset. It’s used by TS Kookaburra, by the She Hive (Granite Belt Ladies Shed) and BlazeAid.
“I would hate to think that this asset has been put on the books to be sold off. Let’s save Fred Rogers Camp.”
But the Southern Downs Regional Council has been quick to step in and address ‘recent concerns raised in the community’ with the information that the council is actually not in a position to sell the land, as it is in fact owned by the Queensland Government and only managed by the council.
SDRC community services manager Michael Bell said that the Fred Rogers Recreation Camp was a multi-purpose site that provided immense value to the Southern Downs community and was a versatile community hub.
“As trustee of the land, council upholds its responsibility and duty of care to manage the site for the benefit of all users,” he said.
“Council acknowledges, however, that there are several issues with the ageing facilities at the site, in particular the state of the kitchen and ablutions. However, these issues are actively being addressed.
“Long-term users of the site include Stanthorpe’s She Hive and TS Kookaburra Navy Cadets. The site also hosts orienteering competitions and is currently the temporary base camp for BlazeAid.
“In October 2023, bushfires ravaged the southern region, with many local landholders losing property fencing. The volunteer-based organisation BlazeAid mobilised to assist with the rebuilding in our region and we are extremely grateful for the work they are doing in Stanthorpe, Wallangarra and surrounding communities.”
Although council originally approved BlazeAid to set up camp at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds, it became apparent that the recovery and rebuilding need was much greater and that the organisation would need to extend its stay. The use of the Stanthorpe Showgrounds became untenable due to the venue already having a full calendar of community events until the end of 2024.
The BlazeAid camp was relocated to Fred Rogers which ensured that events such as the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival, Market in the Mountains, Stanthorpe Show and others could go ahead as planned at the Stanthorpe Showground without any impact.
“It was identified that during the relocation, that the BlazeAid group would require access to showers, toilets and cooking facilities and Council made arrangements to bring these facilities online at Fred Rogers,” Mr Bell said.
“This was the least Council could do for volunteers who selflessly dedicate their time for our community and will temporarily call our region home.”
In a press release, the SDRC said it had an obligation to ensure that its assets served the greater community and was currently working with the Department of Education to allow schools to host open water swimming competitions at Storm King Dam.
“Council officers are actively working with current users and other interested parties to develop a sustainable strategy for the future use of the site to the benefit of the Southern Downs community.
“The multi-use nature of the Fred Rogers Recreation Camp further requires Council to develop and implement appropriate protections for vulnerable groups such as our youth to safely use the site whilst interacting with other adult users.”
