The debate over contentious legislation that would open the way for camping on Victoria’s 26,000 kilometres of crown land water frontages is about to heat up.
Consultation on the plan – which is part of the government’s 2018 election commitment, to ‘guarantee access to fishing and camping on Crown land that has grazing licences and river frontage – will begin on March 1,
The Ballarat Courier reports that Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive Travis Dowling has told landholders the public is already able to lawfully gain access to licensed river frontages for recreation such as fishing, picnicking and hiking – just not camping.
“The removal of the prohibition on camping on licensed river frontages recognises that this activity has been occurring on many of these frontages for many years and it allows for it to be better managed through regulations,” Mr Dowling told landholders, in a letter. “This also regularises the situation between licensed river frontages and unlicensed river frontages, State Forests and National Parks – where camping is currently permitted.
The Courier reports that Mr Dowling said it was expected ‘suitable’ regulations, to support camping, would be introduced from September 1.
“The draft regulations will include reference to how far to set up camp from the river, campfires, litter, areas that may be excluded from camping due to environmental or cultural reasons,” he said.
However, some landowners like Fernihurst mixed farmer, Ken Pattison, have concerns, and would like to see a camping licencing system introduced.
“I have to have a licence to shoot ducks, or drive a car, and getting a licence would involve telling potential campers about what their responsibilities are,” Mr Pattison said. “It could be designed so what they need to know what is reasonable, what their responsibilities, and liabilities are, for example if you camp under an old tree and a branch falls on you.”
According to the Courier, Mr Pattison said the details of the regulations attached to camping would be important.
“They are talking about putting a gate on the river and signage, saying its crown frontage, and what people are allowed to do … are they going to cut all the trees down to get wood – and what about liability, if someone drowns, who is liable?” he said. “If we had some control, and people approached us and gave us their licence number and name, we would establish when and where they came onto the property, we wouldn’t have a lot of difficulty with that.”
Mr Pattison said he’d received a letter, giving a brief outline of the government’s plans.
“It’s just like a big paddock, that has got a few suggestions about what they are looking at,” he said. “We wouldn’t totally oppose it if we knew what was going on, and we weren’t left to clean up the mess, put out fires and take away the rubbish.”
Would you have a dump point located near by, are you planning to put toilets/showers in, or you must be fully self contained. If that’s the case it should be low cost $10pn per van. If your providing nothing $5pn per van.
Where is this place anyway?