General News
3 October, 2022
Consultation lacking
LODDON Mayor Dan Straub has blown the whistle on poor consultation in the State Government rollout of riverfront camping sites in the shire. Cr Straub said council was concerned about the ”lack of consultation with licence holders, adjacent...
LODDON Mayor Dan Straub has blown the whistle on poor consultation in the State Government rollout of riverfront camping sites in the shire.
Cr Straub said council was concerned about the ”lack of consultation with licence holders, adjacent landowners, local government and our community about the introduction of these camp grounds, management practices, appropriate parking and access ways”.
His statement released Monday evening follows angst after the Government declared 20 Loddon River sites now open for camping amid fears for farm biosecurity and potential economic impact on local accommodation businesses.
Cr Straub said: “I have spoken with several impacted landholders and representatives, local community groups and organisations, as well as mayors from other surrounding municipalities, all of who are concerned about the impacts that the opening of river and creek frontages will impose on landholders and the community.
“These areas are subject to licensed ground that farming businesses incorporate and manage. There are also reported issues of campers accessing these campsites by crossing private property without consent,” he said.
Cr Straub said a major concern was the heightened risk of biosecurity implications that he claimed contradicted on-farm biosecurity measures, including “current regulations and guidelines to ensure Victoria’s agriculture industry remains protected”.