Dripping Rock camping could be a possibility if development application approved

Dripping Rock has become a drawcard for locals and those further afield for a naturally beautiful place to swim in the warmer months, and next-door neighbour Peter Brien is hoping to improve this hotspot.

The small waterfall is located about 26km north-east of Boggabri, and 57km south-east of Narrabri, and currently has no facilities for visitors to use.

It's usually accessible for four-wheel drives only, but Mr Brien said sedan or SUV drivers would also be able to access the spot if they drove carefully.

Mr Brien's development application for a bush camping site on his Dripping Rock Road property is currently on exhibition, and he's hoping it will be approved.

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The open camping area would be positioned in cleared areas of his property, and would include two ablution blocks, each comprised of two pit toilets (one male, one female), and two camp kitchenettes.

Mr Brien told the Leader he had had numerous people knocking on his door to ask if they could camp on his property, and after a while, there was enough people "to warrant me to spend the money to develop it".

"It used to be a hidden gem, in our little area, not many people knew about it, until people were forced to travel locally and people from Tamworth and further afield started looking for little one-way trips," he said.

"It's a great destination for a little trip in the area, something for a bit of difference."

He said if his project was approved he was hoping the camp ground would be a retirement project for he and his wife Donna.

"Any way of getting tourists to come to the area is a good thing, we're just adding to the list of places to stop overnight," Mr Brien said.

If approved, the build would take about six months, and Mr Brien is planning on doing most of the work himself.

There'll be a maximum capacity of 120 people on the site, and bookings would be made online.

Upon booking, people would receive directions to the camping ground; a map of the camping ground showing the locations of camp sites, toilets, kitchenette and camp site entrances; and the padlock code for their camp site.

"[The proposal] provides an opportunity to provide a rural camping experience within a natural setting on a site that is readily accessible from the existing road network and is located en-route to an existing natural attraction," the Statement of Environmental Effects reads.

"The proposed development aims to conserve the surrounding ecological environment, promote the natural values of the Narrabri region, and maintain sustainable use of resources."

Those wishing to make a submission must do so by close-of-business on February 19.

This can be done via https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/da20210054-camping-ground-and-amenities