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CARAVANNERS and campers have welcomed news that fees to use basic
campsites in Victoria's regional national parks have been scrapped.
The $13-a-night charge will no longer apply at Cape Conran, Croajingolong
NP, Baw Baw, Gippsland Lakes CP, Mount Samaria, Broken Boosey, Lake Eildon,
Cathedral Range, Wyperfeld, Lerderderg, Great Otway NP East, Great Otway
NP West, Cobboboonee, Grampians, Little Desert, French Island, Bunyip,
Kurth Kiln and on the Mornington Peninsula.
Members of the online Caravaners
Forum said they were "delighted" at the news.
"Great to hear as travellers ourselves, but even better for the Victorian
public who had frequented these camps before the ridiculous jump in
camping prices last year," commented one member.
"Common sense prevails," said another.
Environment Minister Lisa Neville believed the fees for basic camping were
unfair and made camping expensive for families, affected school camps and
buried Parks Victoria in red tape.
"We want Victorian families to have an affordable holiday and get a chance
to experience our great national parks," she said.
"You can't put a price on the beauty of our national parks. They make our
state liveable."
More than 500 basic camping sites at 70 campgrounds in 19 national parks
throughout regional Victoria will have no fees.
But the booking system for them will remain in place until July 1.
Campers who have made a booking between now and 1 July 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 it will no longer be necessary to book a site which will then be
available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Meanwhile,
Parks Victoria has been asked to review all other camping options to
ensure a balance between affordable holidays and funding for new
facilities.
