Government acts on river camping

T“Ensuring camping is only permitted on appropriate sites and agricultural impacts are considered is a step in the right direction and recognises the potential impact of this change on agriculture” – Emma Germano

he State Government has confirmed it will continue to pursue an election campaign to open new camping areas alongside Victorian rivers.

The government is investigating ‘hundreds’ of new areas of possible camping sites and finalising new regulations governing recreational use of Crown land after extensive debate on the issue.

It has declared that Victorians will have more riverside camping options on sites subject to ‘a rigorous assessment process to ensure sites will be safe for camping, with environmental and agricultural impacts considered as well as any impact on Aboriginal cultural heritage’.

The move had generated considerable concern from the State Opposition and Victorian Farmers Federation, worried about the implications of allowing camping on farmerleased land.

The government, which attracted more than 1100 submissions during community consultation of draft regulations, is assessing up to 27 sites along Goulburn, Broken, Ovens, Campaspe, Loddon and Murray rivers, with hundreds to follow.

Environment Minister Lily D’ambrosio said final regulations would reflect community expectations, providing a fair balance between providing opportunities for recreation while ensuring protection of the environment and Aboriginal cultural heritage.

She added considerations would also include adjoining landowners and licence holders.

“We’re striking the right balance to make sure riverside public land is protected for generations to come,” she said.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano welcomed the news that camping would only occur on suitable sites, but added the key would be in regulation details.

She said the announcement was a positive step forward, but farmers would be in the dark until September 1.

“Ensuring camping is only permitted on appropriate sites and agricultural impacts are considered is a step in the right direction and recognises the potential impact of this change on agriculture,” she said.

“It’s pleasing to see the enormous efforts and hard work of not only farmers, but all impacted stakeholders is beginning to pay off.

“Now we need to see the detail on the actual rules before they begin in a matter of weeks.

“We can’t understand and implement what we don’t know.”

The public can already lawfully access licensed river frontages for recreation such as fishing, hiking and picnicking.

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victorian Fisheries Authority and Parks Victoria will enforce the regulations.

A 24-hour hotline, 13FISH, will be available for the public to report any illegal or antisocial behaviour.