With its 100 year old carousel and fairground nostalgia from around the globe, Fairground Follies is tucked away in Kirkham Street, Bowral and operates as a museum and information centre.

However, a passion for restoration, preservation, nostalgia and joy has turned in to frustration for Fairground Follies owner Craig Robson.

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Mr Robson currently runs the mechanical music museum with restricted hours and hoped to extend the hours on a permanent basis, but felt that he wasn't supported by Wingecarribee Shire Council.

A development application to extend the operating hours was heard at the June 24 Wingecarribee Shire Council meeting

"They're recommending a temporary licence for 18 months and then after 18 months that approval completely lapses," Mr Robson said.

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"We can apply for another approval, but that needs 18 months to two years.

"We have 80 coaches waiting to come in to here.

"So we believe there should be some kind of help instead of obstacles in our way."

Mr Robson said he also felt that the financial contribution fee Wingecarribee Shire Council asked for in a previous development decision on August 1 2019 made it "impossible to run".

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"We had a $296,000 contribution fee that nobody can give us any kind of formula and then it was reduced to $70,000," he said.

"It has never showed any profit, it's for the passion."

"The recommendations make it impossible to run."

A Wingecarribee Shire Council spokesperson said council fees were in relation to water and sewer headwork charges to the amount of $35,170 for water and $34,096 for sewer.

"This is a contribution paid by all developments where increases in water usage and wastewater generation is determined to occur, based on the expected use of the site," they said.

"The use of the site had gone from industrial to an information and education facility, which has higher usage."

Councillors unanimously voted for the recommended 18 month period at the June 24 meeting.

The temporary approval for the 18 month period was to determine any impacts the extra operational time for functions would have on adjoining industrial neighbours.

It would allow the museum to hold functions during business hours.

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