Plan B For State's Disastrous Camping Plan
Ever so quietly, the Victorian Government has backed down from a plan to expose Victorian farmers to vagrants, rubbish dumping, unmanaged campfires and human defaecation on their properties.
Late last year, the Government pursued its plan to allow anyone access to the state’s crown land frontages along waterways licensed to adjoining farmers and landholders.
It meant campers could stay for 28 days, pitch their tents 20 metres from the rivers, defaecate 50 metres from the water, collect wood and all without the farmers’ knowledge they were there.
Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said the farmers’ outrage was genuine.
“The consequences of this policy were potentially catastrophic,” Mrs McArthur said.
“Farmers were right to be worried about the safety of their livestock, biosecurity risks or an outbreak of fire in summer.
“It allowed someone to stay for weeks, make a mess – pack up for a few hours – and return for another 28 days and so on. Under this plan, farms became protected places for squatters,” she said.
Although farmers were outraged by the plan, it appears the Government’s hushed backstep on the issue is more about concerns from environment groups and Aboriginal bodies.
“Whoever they have listened to, it’s a good outcome,” Mrs McArthur said.
“But the challenge remains for the alternate proposal to also meet suitable standards for river ways, riparian land and landowner rights.
“Given this matter relates to places and people outside of Melbourne, it will be a challenge for this government to genuinely understand the concerns.
“The new proposal for 25 pilot sites for campers on crown land water frontages will need equal scrutiny.
“Trust is key here, and it’s not the Government’s strong card.
“I urge traditional owners, environment groups – and farmers – to maintain a steely focus on the Government’s Plan B for camping in these areas.
“It needs to make all of its findings and assessments public – and open for input - before the next decision is made.
“However, the signs aren’t good given the pilot starts in September, just 6 weeks away.
“The first problem has already risen – how to test a pilot system – when you’re not allowed to leave your home and lockdowns are status quo?”
“Where is the detail about who tests these sites, what sites are chosen, how long is the pilot in place, who enforces the standards, what rigours are applied?
“So many questions – and typical of this government – so few answers.”
19 July 2021