General News
23 October, 2024
Your letters: Camping and voting
Free camping a hit on parks, pollution Sir, It’s amazing that the State Government first allows free camping along rivers/waterways (there are many articulated features from land owners of the damage and disruption these free campers do to those...
Free camping a hit
on parks, pollution
Sir, It’s amazing that the State Government first allows free camping along rivers/waterways (there are many articulated features from land owners of the damage and disruption these free campers do to those areas), we now learn that the Government is going to allow free camping in Parks Victoria areas this coming Summer!
Apart from the lost revenue from regulated, licenced, caravan parks, who is going to clean up the mess these free campers leave behind them; who is going to monitor the free campers for noise pollution when a bunch of 21-year-olds hold ‘gatherings’ in the bush; who is going to monitor them for having camp fires during windy days or fire ban days?
I’m sure that Parks Victoria staff have enough to do without this extra responsibility.
Also, does the Government not realise that camping is already a cheap holiday option for families, and that caravan parks make next to nothing on camping sites, especially if the campers only stay one night.
The cost of labour to clean amenities and maintain the grounds; the water and electricity used, consumables (soaps, toilet paper, cleaning chemicals), rubbish removal, etc., costs more than we charge to rent out a site for one night!
Are the Government oblivious to this, or is it that they just don’t care?
I haven’t put my site prices up since before COVID, 2019, for the reason that people expect camping costs to be so low.
I’d make more money if I sell my land for building than running a caravan park.
Pauline Wellman
Owner, Inglewood Motel and Caravan Park
Vital vote for
shire’s future
Sir, After the two southern Loddon Shire councillors’ “no vote” when asked to continue the fight against Water Minister Tanya Plibersek’s 450GL buybacks, one can only label it as poor form and disastrous for our communities when a potential 105GL to come from GWW customers.
This will bring the Loddon Valley and GMW’s future viability as one of the largest rural water authorities in Australia to an end.
The clear report to council set out the devastation and loss to the Loddon Shire that I believe is the jewel in the crown of innovation and tourism in northern Victoria.
I can only suppose the two councillors, Murphy and Jungwirth, supported the 450GL buybacks to breed millions of carp, massive bank slumping with little habitat for native birds or our farmlands.
While there is no election in my ward this time, I urge people in Inglewood and Tarnagulla Ward to give strong consideration to ensuring the next council will support farmers without hesitation. The future of the Loddon Shire is in your vote and of course your preferences.
Ken Pattison
Fernihurst
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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