General News
4 March, 2024
River camp site risk fears
RIVERSIDE camping areas opened by the State Government had poor mobile connectivity and put people at greater potential risk, according to a former Loddon Shire councillor. Colleen Condliffe says poor service put campers at unnecessary risk during...
RIVERSIDE camping areas opened by the State Government had poor mobile connectivity and put people at greater potential risk, according to a former Loddon Shire councillor.
Colleen Condliffe says poor service put campers at unnecessary risk during disasters and emergencies.
“Farmers whose Crown licence land now includes access to river camping sites know the problems with telephone service in the area,” she said.
“Campers coming from Melbourne and other areas may not and there is no indication on camp site access signs warning that mobile service is limited or non-existent,” she said.
“This can make camping at secluded river spots dangerous when there are flood or fire warnings not being received or accessed because there is no service.”
The State Government has marked more than 20 camping areas along the Loddon River in the past 12 months.
Loddon residents in popular tourists spots, including Newbridge, Laanecoorie and Kooyoora State Park, have raised concerns this year that connectivity and service has dropped.
They claim the phasing out of 3G connections is also impacting service realiability across the shire. Telstra shows less coverage areas for 4G technology and virtually no coverage for 5G.
Mrs Condliffe said visitors to the Loddon River should be provided with more information on local connectivity.
“We weren’t happy that the Government allowed entry to camp sites through land we farm.
“But at least they can have safety warnings in place and keep people safer when coming into areas where phone coverage is far from good,” she said.