West Wimmera Shire Council has approved the temporary provision of free recreational vehicle and self-contained camping at Kaniva Recreation Reserve from April 7 to 14.<\/p>\n
At its special meeting last week, the council approved the camping along with community-hosted hospitality events by Kaniva-Leeor United Football Netball Club.<\/p>\n
The club will host a barbecue dinner on April 7, open its bar on April 8, and a schnitzel night on April 9.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The council agreed to assist in the management of waste, traffic, risk management and regulation compliance.<\/p>\n
Councillor Richard Hicks said it was an exciting opportunity for Kaniva.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt helps to put Kaniva on the map and helps to reinforce the advantages of our location being midway between Melbourne and Adelaide. And it\u2019s also a fundraising opportunity for the football and netball club \u2013 it\u2019s good to see they\u2019re taking advantage of the opportunity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
While Cr Tom Houlihan voiced concern of the possibility of lost trade for Kaniva\u2019s \u2018365-day\u2019 traders, Cr Helen Hobbs praised the football and netball club\u2019s volunteers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a great initiative \u2013 good on the football and netball club, and all those volunteers who are willing to put their time and effort into this, because obviously there is a huge flow on effect to the main street,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut building on what Tom was saying, you\u2019ve got two pubs and one roadhouse trading on that night, and I guarantee they will be to capacity, they will struggle with the amount of traffic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Hobbs said she hoped the club\u2019s catering would alleviate pressure on the permanent food venues.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe traders are getting behind this \u2013 they\u2019re doing the Alistair Clarkson selfie cutouts, they\u2019ve got the bunting, they\u2019re all decking out their windows and they\u2019re trying to maximise the impact,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we are one major food place down, so this is hopefully going to alleviate the pressure on our limited businesses that we\u2019ve got in Kaniva at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kaniva\u2019s push to attract some of the estimated 20,000 people who drive from Victoria to South Australia during the course of Gather Round comes as concerns about the rising cost of fuel are being discussed by the AFL and South Australian Government. SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said discussions were being held to see what more could be offered to attendees and provide assurance to motorists.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to make sure that there\u2019s no question in those motorists\u2019 minds around supply,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll be able to fill up their car with petrol just as they have in previous years, and we would make clear to motorists that this is not a concern that they need to factor in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand the price is higher, and that has implications, but we are still expecting very big crowds to Gather Round.\u201d<\/p>\n