The Victorian Government is about to start to deliver on its pre-election pledge to open up camping on river frontages, but it’s doing so gradually … and amidst heavy criticism from the farming community.
From next month, camping will be permitted on 27 river frontages in northern Victoria that are currently licensed by farmers. This will affect sites along the Goulburn, Broken, Ovens, Campaspe, Loddon and Murray Rivers, although the specific locations involved have not yet been named.
The Government plans to then allow camping at hundreds more sites.
First though it will assess how the 27 sites are managed and their impacts on waterways, vegetation and neighbouring landholders.
The Government says allowing camping on all licensed river frontages across the state will allow people to enjoy more of Victoria’s waterways.
The ABC reports that Victorians are already permitted to fish, walk and picnic along licensed river frontages, and camping will be introduced on September 1.
In a statement, Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the Government was reviewing potential sites to ensure environmental and agricultural concerns were considered.
“We’re striking the right balance to make sure riverside public land is protected for generations to come,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
The ABC reports that farmers currently pay a licence fee to manage and graze livestock along river frontage land bordering their properties. When campers are allowed in, they are concerned they will be left to deal with their rubbish and waste.
Sally Buckingham who farms along the Rose River, 50 kilometres south of Myrtleford, told the ABC that public liability – among other things – was a huge concern.
“Along the river you get a lot of trees that simply fall down and that’s obviously a huge concern for safety,” she said. “We can’t be expected to hire arborists to go along our river frontage and basically tell us which trees need to come down in case there are campers who could then get hurt.”
Ms Buckingham is also concerned that her property will become a thoroughfare for campers to access the river.
“A lot of places you cannot reach without driving straight through the middle of a paddock,” she told the ABC. “We’re very concerned about the removal of firewood … obviously people going to the toilet is a definite problem.”
The Government has said that if farmers have concerns with problematic behaviour they will be able to raise them with authorities.
All statements omitted the word-” privacy-” as a major concern,gone & taken away without consultation as usual by bossy bearocrats
easy fixed , LOCK the Gates, what a lot of crap this proposal is.
Sites will soon become nothing but rubbish dumps, fire unattended, gates left open, stock killed by bored hunters, etc etc. total fire bans will be ignored. Just your average ignorant city person in the country. .
it will happen here see https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-11/campers-dump-rubbish-and-toilet-paper-in-national-park/12341936
No no no
I am all for people getting out and about and free to go where they wish
But when somebody is paying a lease on land… No it is off limits
It’s a farm.
People will leave rubbish and run amuck
No no.
Better of putting more time money and reasources into national parks
Again Vic Gov doing what it wants, when it wants. Next election I hope people remember.
I hope Campers / Caravaners are cleaner than what you see at roadside stops, I agree Farmers shouldnot have to be policemen on their leased land. As well trust they will not light fires and cause more problems for the farmer.
Maybe campers need a permit (no cost) that stipulates if they leave rubbish…campfires…disrespect the lesee…they lose that permit. Fine those that don’t get one…..