Council

March 6, 2026

Reserve board continues Mt Somers campground review over winter

The Mt Somers Domain campground will remain open until mid-April this year and close over winter while the Mt Somers Reserve Board explores new ways of operating the facility.

The board has been reviewing campground operations, to ensure it runs as cost-effectively as possible.

Chairperson Nathan Huggins said the board had planned to offer only unpowered sites from March 2, but feedback from the community had encouraged it to keep all facilities open until  April 13.

“Then we’ll use the winter break to do some long term planning, taking into account some of the really constructive feedback we received when we shared our change proposal with the community last month.

“It was great to see people supportive and passionate about Mt Somers.

“We’ve taken on board what has been said and over the next few months we’ll be re-evaluating the campground operation and looking at new ways to create efficiencies and reduce costs.”

Council’s community and democracy group manager Toni Durham said the council had been helping the reserve board implement the changes it wanted to make.

“After reading the feedback, the board, with the support of council, chose to make some amendments to its original change proposal, but it also decided to progress other aspects, including the disestablishment of the part-time caretaker role.

“The winter shutdown will be from  April 13 to September 24, though the full campground and facilities will be available for one-off events during that time on request and with the approval of the reserve board.

“They aim to have a new system in place for re-opening on  September 25, ensuring the campground can continue to be enjoyed by returning and new campers to Mt Somers.”

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The Mt Somers Domain campground will remain open until mid-April this year and close over winter while the Mt Somers Reserve Board explores new ways of operating the facility.

The board has been reviewing campground operations, to ensure it runs as cost-effectively as possible.

Chairperson Nathan Huggins said the board had planned to offer only unpowered sites from March 2, but feedback from the community had encouraged it to keep all facilities open until  April 13.

“Then we’ll use the winter break to do some long term planning, taking into account some of the really constructive feedback we received when we shared our change proposal with the community last month.

“It was great to see people supportive and passionate about Mt Somers.

“We’ve taken on board what has been said and over the next few months we’ll be re-evaluating the campground operation and looking at new ways to create efficiencies and reduce costs.”

Council’s community and democracy group manager Toni Durham said the council had been helping the reserve board implement the changes it wanted to make.

“After reading the feedback, the board, with the support of council, chose to make some amendments to its original change proposal, but it also decided to progress other aspects, including the disestablishment of the part-time caretaker role.

“The winter shutdown will be from  April 13 to September 24, though the full campground and facilities will be available for one-off events during that time on request and with the approval of the reserve board.

“They aim to have a new system in place for re-opening on  September 25, ensuring the campground can continue to be enjoyed by returning and new campers to Mt Somers.”

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