General News
5 December, 2022
Race to re-open park
THE race is on to have a key Loddon River camping destination ready for the Christmas holiday season. Bridgewater caravan park - under water six weeks ago - is expected to partly re-open within days. But the Newbridge Recreation Reserve campground...
THE race is on to have a key Loddon River camping destination ready for the Christmas holiday season.
Bridgewater caravan park - under water six weeks ago - is expected to partly re-open within days.
But the Newbridge Recreation Reserve campground will not welcome summer holidaymakers. And Meville Caves campground in Kooyoora State Park is unlikely to re-open for months.
Local businesses say they have fingers crossed that thousands of visitors will visit and stay in the Loddon during the traditionally busy summer holiday period.
The three popular areas were severely damaged in October’s floods. Bridgewater Motel, that also went under, re-opened last week.
Loddon Shire said last week: “We are yet to confirm an opening date for the Bridgewater Public Caravan Park however, we are hopeful to commence re-opening as early as late next week.
“In order to re-open, there is a range of external factors outside of our control, such as repairs to fire services,” council said in a statement to the Loddon Herald.
“The park will be re-opening as regulations and services permit. Visitors with bookings already placed are being kept informed of progress.”
A Parks Victoria spokesperson said rangers had started impact assessments and initial make- safe works to determine damage to Kooyoora State Park.
“Safe visitor, caravan and vehicle access is not possible due to persistent ground saturation and ongoing sinkhole risk,” the spokesperson said.
“There will need to be a drying out period before recovery works can get underway, subject to contractor availability It’s too early for us to provide an accurate estimate on recovery timelines.”
Newbridge Recreation Reserve treasurer Sue Horsley said the camping area was closed indefinitely “for safety reasons.”
“There’s no water, toilets, showers or power and the damaged tennis courts fence is a safety risk. The tractor doesn’t work, the mower is sick and there’s lots of growth of grass.”
The ban on river activity was lifted by Maritime Safety Victoria last Friday after clearance of hazards.