A recent council recommendation to close one of the two caravan parks in the Victorian community of Barmah has sparked a major community backlash.
Around 150 people gathered at the Barmah Hotel to protest the possible closure of the Barmah Caravan and Camping Park. Last week, Moira Shire chief executive Mark Henderson said the park’s lease was to expire on June 30 this year … and that efforts to find a recommended long-term park operator had failed.
The council also cited concerns over tree safety and future capital investment costs to the ratepayers as reasons why they were recommending the caravan park’s closure.
However, many fear that closing the park would be a devastating blow to the Barmah economy which relies heavily on tourism.
Barmah Hotel publican John Powell told the Riverine Herald that there was an overwhelming desire to keep the caravan park open.
“One person at the meeting stood up and said if they take the caravan park they would rip the heart out of Barmah,’’ Mr Powell said. “They said you might as well put a cemetery there instead.’’
Barmah has one pub and two caravan parks and a permanent population of just 180 people. It is a popular spot for tourists seeking boating and fishing activities along the Murray River, as well as visiting Barmah National Park.
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Turn it into a low cost camp for tourists.We need cheaper places to camp.