Local MP, Tim Bull, told Parliament the Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos, should now be well aware of the debacle he created at Parks Victoria campsites and asked for it to be fixed before the Easter holidays.
“What occurred as a result of making camping free with no oversights, camp parks that are usually completely full from Boxing Day onwards, were at best two thirds full, meaning thousands less campers in East Gippsland alone,” Mr Bull said.
“Cape Conran which has 135 campsites, I am advised never had more than 100 full,” Mr Bull told Parliament.
“This is not the fault of Parks Victoria staff, who sent reminders to those who had booked, but the bottom line is, it was bad policy that was easily misused, and the Minister was warned about it beforehand by our Shadow Minister for Public Land Use, Melina Bath.
“I had one Parks’ worker tell me that at one location a person booked out areas either side of their site under different family names so as not to have anyone close. Complainants to my office told of other similar instances.
“Parks Victoria workers were sick of being abused for having to turn away overnight campers when they could see a large amount of sites free. They should not be placed in this position.
“At Corringle where 10 of 21 campsites were filled at one stage in peak time, visitors could not book as they were technically occupied.”
Mr Bull said there were several ways this could be remedied.
“Pay half price for peak periods, pay a refundable deposit, or introduce a fine as Queensland has done for those who abuse it,” he said.
“Whatever he chooses, the Minister just needs to fix it for Easter,” he said.
