Shadow Minister for Public Land Management, Melina Bath, said Labor’s failed free camping in national parks program has quietly been scrapped and instead replaced with ‘half
price’ camping fees in the state budget.
“From inception, Labor’s policy was systematically flawed and did enormous damaged to small businesses and the regional economy that relies on the peak tourism season for survival,” Ms Bath said.
“The Allan Government said free camping in national parks would create more Victorians holidaying in the regions, it did the opposite.
“In a cost-of-living crisis, the program hurt regional sales and services and charged Victorian taxpayers $9 million to deliver it.
“Free camping in national parks should have been abolished when the problems were first identified, yet the Labor Allan Government refused to listen.
“Labor can’t manage public land use and Victorians are paying the price.”
Caravan and Residential Parks Victoria (CRPVic) has welcomed the State Government’s decision to abolish free camping at Parks Victoria campsites, following a sustained advocacy campaign by the association to protect the interests of private caravan park owners.
“Victoria’s regulated, family-friendly caravan parks are often the lifeblood of regional towns, accommodating over 50 per cent of overnight stays, contributing over $2.4 billion to the economy, and supporting more than 17,000 jobs,” CRPVic chief executive officer, Scott Parker said.
“This decision is a testament to the resilience of our park operators, who have continued to invest in their visitor experience and affordability despite facing unfair, anti-competitive conditions for the past six months.”
“We will continue to work with the government to ensure the regulations which apply to our member tourist parks across the state also apply to Victorian Government sites for the benefit of all who enjoy the great outdoors.”
CRPVic also welcomed several new initiatives in the Budget, including:
– Increased funding to speed up planning approvals,
– Business support for the Grampians post-fire recovery,
– Support for Regional Tourism Board partnerships, and
– A new Future of Housing Construction TAFE
Centre of Excellence for modular housing.
“These include practical steps that can help unlock millions of dollars in stalled investment across regional Victoria,” Mr Parker said.
“Too many locally manufactured cabins, glamping tents and housing units are currently unable to be ordered, manufactured, installed or approved for accommodation having been stifled by outdated, unfair, and inconsistently applied planning rules
and regulations.
“There’s a real opportunity here to accelerate job creation, tourism investment, and housing supply through reform that will support caravan park owners, accommodation manufacturers and local visitor
economies, including extending VicSmart planning processes to registered caravan parks.”
CRPVic looks forward to working with the Victorian Government to ensure the announcements translate into tangible outcomes
for park operators, accommodation manufacturers, regional communities and the thousands of families who rely on regulated tourist parks for unique, affordable holidays.
