THEY have managed the Washpool Camping Reserve for more than a decade but Joann and Peter Guy have been stood down by the council.

Southern Downs Mayor Peter Bludell said the decision was made as a result of broken rules.

The Southern Downs Regional Council lease the land from the Department of Natural Resources.

Councillor Blundell said there were very strict rules regarding what activities could and could not take place at the reserve.

"It is not meant to be long term accommodation site and it is also not meant to have a kiosk on it," Cr Blundell said.

"This cannot continue to happen. Campers are also only supposed to stay within the designated lease area, not camp down by the dam.

"We need to make some dramatic changes to what is happening out there.

"The council decided the best way to do this was to take over the management of the site themselves."

Cr Blundell said the issues at the reserve had been mentioned at many council meetings since the amalgamation.

He said the decision to remove the Guys from the management role was not an easy one.

The Guys will remain the contracted managers until June 4.

Mr Guy said they had enjoyed their time managing the site.

"Fishing and camping is something that we both love and have always been interested in," he said.

"We will both miss it."

Mr Guy said he understood why the council had made the decision that they had and did not hold it against them.

One of the many highlights of his 15 years working by the dam included the many fantastic people he has had the chance to meet.

"Now we will just have to switch sides and go camping with them out there instead," he said.

The site will be managed by the Southern Downs Regional Council until the issues are fixed.

Tenders will then be called for new management.