Scene set for camel scrap outbreak
The infamous Broome camel wars that once exploded into controversy are poised to return, with invitations going out for three licences to operate rides on Cable Beach.
The Shire of Broome has armed itself with a revised policy “to provide better clarity to applicants/licence holders and sets out clear requirements to be followed”.
The saga peaked in 2011 when well-known operator Chris Hill was convicted of stealing $70,000 worth of camel toys and merchandise when he walked out on Red Sun Camels, which he previously co-owned with business partner John Geappen.
The trial exposed four years of feuding between rival businesses Red Sun Camels and Ships of the Desert, of which Hill was the former licensee, with allegations of sabotage, name calling and obscene gestures — and even camel dung slinging.
The three current licences expire on December 31.
The invitation to apply for one of them opens the door to operators from other parts of Australia, who may wish to apply.
“There are no guarantees existing operators will receive a further licence but given the fact they are currently operating will be given serious consideration when council makes its decision,” Shire president Graeme Campbell said.
“Having said that, all applications for a licence will be assessed and the relevant merits of such applications will be dealt with at the time.”
Key parts of the amended policy:
■ A person (company/individual)
shall not hold more than one licence
at any one time but camel operators
may be approved to collaborate
at any one time to cater for extraordinary
situations, such as
cruise ships or corporate functions
■ Each licensee has a maximum of
16 camels on Cable Beach at any
one time but this may be extended
to up to 20.
■ No commercial trading activities
on Cable Beach between 10am and
4.30pm unless approval is given to
operate two hours between the prohibited
times in extraordinary circumstances.
■ Licences are increased from five
years to 10 years.
The current licence fee for commercial camel activities on Cable Beach for the 2012/13 financial year was $4,470.
Mr Campbell told the Broome Advertiser the cost mostly covered ranger services provided by council, which directly related to commercial
camel activities.
“Other costs, including for legal matters, cannot be charged as part of the fee,” he said.
