The Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry has formally written to Parks Victoria, protesting a planned “downgrade” to water infrastructure upgrades at Cape Conran’s popular Banksia Bluff campground.
In a letter addressed to Parks Victoria chief executive officer Lee Miezis, chamber secretary Garry Squires expressed concern over recent advice from park staff indicating that current potable water plans for Cape Conran do not extend to the campground.
According to the Chamber, the state government’s original funding announcement promised “to upgrade
infrastructure at Cape Conran” by delivering “waste and potable water connections from Marlo to Cape Conran, which includes underground sewerage and water pipelines.”
While the delivery method of water to Cape Conran has reportedly shifted from underground pipelines to trucking water in via tankers, the chamber argues that the core intent to supply clean water to both cabins and camping sites should be retained.
“The lack of any potable drinking water for the camp sites is a downgrade from the initial government announcement,” Mr Squires wrote.
To meet the expectations of the original infrastructure upgrades, the chamber is calling on Parks Victoria to install a potable water tap at every individual camping cell, as is standard practice at other major campgrounds.
If current funding is insufficient to support this, the chamber has proposed a short-term compromise: installing a shared, central tap at the park’s main office precinct so campers can fill their water containers.
The letter formally recommends that Parks Victoria honours the intent of the original government funding commitment to ensure campers at Banksia Bluff have access to clean, potable drinking water.
