WARRNAMBOOL outdoor recreational groups have given a mixed response to the state government’s decision to scrap camping fees on more than 500 camping sites throughout Victoria.
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Warrnambool 4WD Club president Adam Mattner said the government’s decision was “good news” and likely to persuade club members to resume using camping areas where fees had been dropped.
Mr Mattner said his club members had always found free alternative sites since the fees were imposed last July but the decision would give them more choice.
However, Warrnambool Bushwalkers Club president Rob Cannon said it was too early to say if the govenment’s move would affect the south-west and the Grampians, with most camping areas in those regions still carrying camping fees last week, when the government announced its decision.
Scrapping fees on basic camp sites came in time for Easter, a peak time for camping.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said the parks covered by the decision included the Great Otway National Park East, Great Otway National Park West, Grampians National Park, Little Desert National Park and Cobboboonee National Park. Mr Cannon said he hoped the government’s decision to review all other camping options would lead to the scrapping of fees on more camping areas.
State environment minister Lisa Neville said the review aimed to make sure there were affordable camping choices as well as sufficient income to fund new facilities.
Ms Neville said fees imposed on basic camping sites in national parks by the former Napthine government were “unfair”, had affected school camps and buried Parks Victoria in red tape.
The bookings system for the camping sites from which fees have been removed will remain in place until July 1, 2015. Customers who have made a booking between now and July 1 will be refunded automatically by Parks Victoria, but the bookings will still be honoured.
A basic site is defined as unserviced, with minimal ranger patrols and pit or no-pit toilets.
From July 1, 2015, the free basic campsites will no longer require booking and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
State Coalition environment spokesman Brad Brittin said it was “breathtaking hypocrisy” by the Andrews Labor government to criticise the Coalition for imposing the camping fees.
