THE Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DRNM) has advised Maranoa Council it needs a detailed land plan and spend over $40,000 if it is to develop the Third Avenue site for an Injune caravan park.

Council will debate a motion tomorrow to examine the Third Avenue site with an officer's recommendation the matter needs further investigation.

The issue is becoming critical for Injune as the tourist season starts in earnest next month though there are some camping facilities at Possum Park and the Rodeo Grounds.

Injune District Tourism Association suggested the site to Council in November 2012 to solve the town's lack of tourism beds since the old caravan park was taken over by FKG for its workers.

At the time IDTA president Puddy Chandler wrote a letter to Council to say Injune was in danger of losing its country feel.

"Injune is overrun by mining and there is no camping therefore people will not want to continue to stop in Injune," Ms Chandler said.

"There is also a safety issue as Injune is the only town within a 270km stretch of highway between Roma and Rolleston for people to camp safely."

However DRNM advised Council at the time that the Third Avenue site was not suitable for a caravan park.

Now Council documents say DRNM would grant approval for 'low-impact' camping area for short stays if there were restrictions on water and power infrastructure, modifications to existing ablution blocks, a three-night maximum stay and Council provided a land management plan. 

The plan would need to show community consultation, a maintenance plan and an exit strategy for regeneration of the site.

The improvements would cost Council an estimated $40,000 for water and power and another $15,000 for crusher dust for the caravan pads.