WaterNSW is closing Bell’s Bay campground and cottages at Toonumbar Dam in late June.

On April 14, WaterNSW met with Kyogle Fishing Club members to discuss the club’s concerns about maintenance and safety issues and road conditions.

Then on May 20 WaterNSW representatives met with Kyogle Council and the Kyogle Fishing Club to discuss the reasons for the planned closure and the next steps.

Kyogle Fishing Club has been using the campground for more than 50 years.

Club president Barry Reeves has been president of the Kyogle Fishing Club for more than 40 years. The club took over running the Bells Bay campground in 2017.

“When we took over, people had squatted there and they left behind a mess,” Mr Reeves said.

No notice has been given in writing about the closure of Bellls Bay campground, only verbally, he said.

“We’ve been gobsmacked by what’s happened.”

WaterNSW said in a statement that they were closing Bell’s Bay campground and cottages at Toonumbar Dam because of safety concerns, including electrical hazards, unstable building structures and poor road access to the site.

“The move is driven by WaterNSW’s commitment to minimise public safety risks and manage rising costs, as the organisation does not receive sufficient revenue to maintain these assets and ensure they are safe for public use,” WaterNSW said.

”WaterNSW recognises the community’s lengthy attachment to the recreational areas. These areas would require considerable investment to return to full function.”

WaterNSW did not disclose what that cost would be and said it had given the obligatory four weeks notice on the closure.

WaterNSW does not have the budget for the facilities a WaterNSW spokesperson told IndyNR.com.

The pontoon at Bells Bay is only four years old, Mr Reeves said.

The house – one of three – at the entrance to Toonumbar Dam is used by the fishing club.

Mr Reeves said that nine months ago WaterNSW deemed the electricals unsafe and said there was asbestos in the roof.

The caretaker Mike Edwards has been operating out of the house without electricity.

Mr Edwards said one of the issues was the road to the Bells Bay campground.

“A pipe goes under the road and it’s 40-50 years old and needs to be replaced,” Mr Edwards said.

The road is owned by Water NSW.

Mr Edwards said an engineer would need to look at it but he estimates it could cost $15,000-$20,000 to replace.

The fishing club could use their funds or get a grant to do this including applying for one from the Fisheries Department.

But it’s unlikely to satisfy Water NSW who seem determined to close the area.

Mr Reeves said the club has written to Kyogle Council who support the club who has also been in conversation with the Anglers Access Team from Fisheries.

A petition has been launched online.

On the petition, it says:

Bells Bay is more than just a patch of land; it is where families have bonded over fishing, camping, and award-winning stories by the campfire. It represents the essence of what Kyogle stands for – community, connection, and conservation of our beautiful landscapes. The closure would lock out not only the devoted local families but also tourists who travel from far and wide for a piece of this unique paradise.

WaterNSW said the boat ramp near the dam wall would remain available for the public to use.

The cabins at the Toonumbar Retreat near the entrance to the dam continue to deteriorate.

At the Kyogle Council May meeting councillor Brett McNamara asked for an update on what’s happening in relation to the Toonumbar Waters Retreat.

The council said it has engaged TRC Tourism to prepare a development plan for the Toonumbar Waters Retreat which the council can use to attract funding and investors. Funding to prepare the plan was previously allocated by the council from the Local Government Recovery Grant for Highly Impacted Councils. A development plan and investment prospectus is scheduled to be delivered by July 2025. Funding of $600,000 has been allocated to the Toonumbar cabins.

WaterNSW is a state-owned corporation responsible for supplying about 65 per cent of water from 41 dams across the state.

IndyNR.com has asked Kyogle Council and the Minister for Water Rose Jackson for a comment and will publish their responses when we receive them.

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This article appeared on indyNR.com on 24 May 2025.