Victorian National Parks under threat

[GGV8Cruza]

Just watched a news story on how government is going to try and reduce the red tape needed to be able to privatise national park land for business being able to put in upmarket hotels and resorts, WTF!!!!! 

I have not found a link or another story about it but this is crazy, anyone else seen anything about it, if we can beat bull bar changes maybe we need to stop this

GG

[GGV8Cruza]

Heres a link to the story

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/08/3157857.htm?site=gippsland&section=news&date=(none)

GG

[Trish59au]

If they let the developers into the national parks it will only be a matter of time before they will stop us from free camping there 
The news said that it would be 6 and 7 star accommodation.

[Benduro]

Would expect nothing less of a Liberal government

Why are they called the Liberal Party anyway

[Kit_e_kat9]

If they let the developers into the national parks it will only be a matter of time before they will stop us from free camping there 
The news said that it would be 6 and 7 star accommodation.

What about 3500 star camping?  What happens to it?

Who needs so few stars anyhoo?

Kit_e

[hutchie62]

There has always been a hidden agenda to limit the free camping spots to force people to stay at the big caravan park chains.

[D4D]

There has always been a hidden agenda to limit the free camping spots to force people to stay at the big caravan park chains.

Based on what facts? I sound like Barry

[hutchie62]

No facts just a gut feeling on how the big chains try to get every cent out of the little people.

[Barry G]

Based on what facts? I sound like Barry

...or Sschmez  

The most fundamental aspect of any form of 'expeditioning' is to be free to  get up when you like, travel to whichever point of the compass you choose and, at a time of your choosing, pick a site to call home for a night, or three.

Granted, we need to consider appropriate waste disposal, water supply, and not leave our rubbish, however it is about freedom and self direction.

This is true for walkers, cyclists / bikers, car campers, the ct brigade, and even a lot of grey nomads with multi axle vans, 5th wheelers and former Greyhound buses with 'trailer cars'!  

While the equipment we all use for our chosen pass-times has become more expensive, which contributes to the economy, free camping doesn't do much for the so-called 'tourism economy'.  The solution?  Improve 'free camping' locations by leasing the best bits to commercial operators.  They will insist, as part of their contracts, that 'unfair competition' - i.e. free camping, be banned in the area.

There is a common theme to 'up-grading' of Council parks, restrictions on the 'long paddock' and commercialisation of National Parks.

With the coming spike in baby boomer retirements and ever increasing numbers touring the Outback, it is probably only a matter of time before bookings are required on many of the popular routes.

I totally agree that we should all be fighting the commercialisation of National Parks.  You can bet that my 'bushwalking buddies' will be up for it, for exactly the same reasons as we / they fought the damming of the Gordon River, and the flooding of Lake Pedder.  National Parks are valuable for their natural aspects (despite infestations of feral plants and animals) and large scale tourism developments only detract from the natural beauty for all visitors.

Anothe Liberal policy that the media didn't bother to publicise...  

[Paul Mac]

Barry, whilst I don't disagree with your comments I do take issue with one statement you made.

"Free camping doesn't contribute to the economy."

There are some very smart councils out there in some remote areas who have discovered the idea that if they provide good "free" camping spots then people just might hang around for a few days or more and spend in their towns.

I am part of a camping group who stayed at the Hopetoun, Victoria camping area late last year. The council and the local townsfolk have built toilets, showers etc and even provided powered sites (for a small fee) around the lake at Hopetoun and are to be commended for their actions. They have done this with the expectation that campers will buy goods and services in the town therefore helping their local economy.

I hope many more councils around the country will do similar. We all have to eat and drink and purchase fuel etc.

Areas that have forced travellers to stay in sometimes overpriced parks will suffer in the long run. More travellers are now communicating via the internet and passing on their good and bad experiences which will influence other travellers in their choices of where to stay and spend.

Having said that.............people in NSW should be used to being ripped off as the charges to enter and stay in National Parks is ridiculous. The common statement is " we need to charge the equivalent to Caravan Parks and resorts so we aren't seen to be in competition with them". What rot !

Please..........I'm stirring you poor bugga's.


Cheers.

[morgansmall]

They've been talking about the same thing in NSW for a while and the bushwalking associations are all over it like a cheap goretex rain jacket.

http://vnpa.org.au/page/nature-conservation/media-releases/tourism-facilities-in-national-parks-could-kill-'golden-goose

http://www.npansw.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=110&Itemid=495

http://www.npansw.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=534:background-to-the-current-tourism-and-national-parks-crisis&catid=110:tourism&Itemid=496

In my opinion it's a horrendous idea and I'd happily sign up to support the walking associations' front line - if they weren't only interested in saving the parks for bushwalkers.  

I'm a mountain biker and they HATE the idea of mountainbikers riding in National parks, and I would take a bet that they lump 4 wheel driving under the 'not very environmentally friendly' banner.  I think they've had some heated discussions with the shooters too.

I guess the obvious thing is for all stakeholders to put aside their differences and join together to stop this ludicrous idea of building expensive accommodation for the well off at the expense of allowing the unwashed masses to experience an overnight stay in a National Park.

[Trish59au]

What about 3500 star camping?  What happens to it?

Who needs so few stars anyhoo?

Kit_e

I love the 3500 stars...they can keep their measly 7 stars!

[Compass]

Perhaps its time certain 4wd magazines became more active in this issue.  Surely the closure of national parks or restriction of their use affects their business at least as much as the bullbar issue.

[Benduro]

Perhaps its time certain 4wd magazines became more active in this issue.  Surely the closure of national parks or restriction of their use affects their business at least as much as the bullbar issue.

Unless they privatise parts of NPs for 4WD parks... Surely not.

[Barry G]

Barry, whilst I don't disagree with your comments I do take issue with one statement you made.

"Free camping doesn't contribute to the economy."

There are some very smart councils out there in some remote areas who have discovered the idea that if they provide good "free" camping spots then people just might hang around for a few days or more and spend in their towns.

I am part of a camping group who stayed at the Hopetoun, Victoria camping area late last year. The council and the local townsfolk have built toilets, showers etc and even provided powered sites (for a small fee) around the lake at Hopetoun and are to be commended for their actions. They have done this with the expectation that campers will buy goods and services in the town therefore helping their local economy.

I hope many more councils around the country will do similar. We all have to eat and drink and purchase fuel etc.

Areas that have forced travellers to stay in sometimes overpriced parks will suffer in the long run. More travellers are now communicating via the internet and passing on their good and bad experiences which will influence other travellers in their choices of where to stay and spend.

Having said that.............people in NSW should be used to being ripped off as the charges to enter and stay in National Parks is ridiculous. The common statement is " we need to charge the equivalent to Caravan Parks and resorts so we aren't seen to be in competition with them". What rot !

Please..........I'm stirring you poor bugga's.


Cheers.

Totally agree Paul, I was attempting to be ironic.

We contribute to the real economy in local areas, shops, fuel suppliers, food outlets.  Dead right, the cheaper the camping the longer we can stay / the more we can spend.

[Barry G]

They've been talking about the same thing in NSW for a while and the bushwalking associations are all over it like a cheap goretex rain jacket.

http://vnpa.org.au/page/nature-conservation/media-releases/tourism-facilities-in-national-parks-could-kill-'golden-goose

http://www.npansw.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=110&Itemid=495

http://www.npansw.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=534:background-to-the-current-tourism-and-national-parks-crisis&catid=110:tourism&Itemid=496

In my opinion it's a horrendous idea and I'd happily sign up to support the walking associations' front line - if they weren't only interested in saving the parks for bushwalkers.  

I'm a mountain biker and they HATE the idea of mountainbikers riding in National parks, and I would take a bet that they lump 4 wheel driving under the 'not very environmentally friendly' banner.  I think they've had some heated discussions with the shooters too.

I guess the obvious thing is for all stakeholders to put aside their differences and join together to stop this ludicrous idea of building expensive accommodation for the well off at the expense of allowing the unwashed masses to experience an overnight stay in a National Park.

Morgansmall,

I think the reality is that the best elements of all recreation groups can accept each other.  What causes conflict is irresponsible / unthinking elements of various groups;, and groups which have access to speed (mountain bikes) + noise (dirt bikes) + ability to carry and leave behind lots of rubbish (4X4s) are seen as high impact by those who don't.

(I certainly don't have anything against Mountain bikers - had a great day at the Commonwealth Games watching and taking photos with the family.)

IMO, there are management solutions to provide 'no go' areas for some activities - e.g.

1/.  I would see mountain bikes as fine on the Collingwood Spur (longest continuous change in height on a through track in Victoria, if my memory is correct) but not on the Alpine Walking Track.

2/.  Similarly, there is a need for speed and safety rules to be complied with on all tracks on public land.  'Out of control' descents are unreasonable other than on private land.

3/.  Noise is a real problem with dirt bikes.  Even where clubs buy farm land and set up their own facilities neighbours complain, and understandably so.
I see 'enduro' type bikes as different and generally acceptable in appropriate parks / state forests, as they have are very well 'muffled' - is that a word?  To me the key thing is that the activity is biking not 'noise making'.  Those who were at the Whroo catch up will recall how quickly the young 2 wheel 'rev heads' wore out their welcome with a number of Swaggers when they arrived.

4/.  Likewise for 4X4 drivers.  Visit the 4WD Parks / other private land to create impassible mud bogs.  Don't leave rubbish cans etc behind.  The key hear is peer pressure to conform to reasonable standards.

As with everything else, it is the unreasonable few who cause the problems. I DON'T mean to categorise all  mountain / dirt bikers or 4X4 drivers as being part of the problem.

If we all see what we have in common and stand together we can be successful.  As a bonus, each group might even learn to understand the other better.

[MsTree]

hmmmm .. not happy Jan

I've read the link provided for the ABC Gippsland news report and then to the VNPA link for their media release http://vnpa.org.au/page/nature-conservation/media-releases/tourism-facilities-in-national-parks-could-kill-'golden-goose' and then also went to the VCEC web site to look for this report
I spent ages reading reports looking for the recommendations about allowing private tourism operators access to develop infrastructure in OUR national parks

Then I rang VNPA asking where i could read this report from VCEC only to be told it is a DRAFT report and can not be viewed at the moment. they asked what my interest was in this article and I merely stated that as a CT person, I didn't want to see my access to NPs restricted by commercial interests

Until background facts can be established can we please quit with the political jibes cos u just might find yourself coming undone

Actually, it doesn't really matter who commissioned the VCEC to write the report .. the key issue is to ensure our access is not restrictred

MsTree
 

P.S. As for the motorbikes at Whroo, it is NOT a permitted activity within the Historic Reserve, they had no business being there.

[darren]

I love my dirtbike... I love riding it anywhere...

[DANBRI]

Take for instance, Darren has a White Brothers pipe (super loud) and I enjoy the sweet heavily muffled standard pipe on the KTM...

[darren]

I enjoy offending others... surely you have worked that out...

[MsTree]

I have just recieved the following on email from VNPA containing the VCEC draft report Unlocking Victorian Tourism and am in the process of reading the reports contained

FYI i have also copied and pasted the following from the report
VCEC has three core functions:
• reviewing regulatory impact statements, measurements of the administrative burden of regulation and business impact assessments of significant new legislation
• undertaking inquiries referred to it by the Treasurer, and
• operating Victoria’s Competitive Neutrality Unit.

John Lenders (ALP) was the treasurer who instigated this report

I will ceretainly be printing out the draft report and providing comment as to the content by the closing date of 12th April 2011.

Dear Fiona,
 
Thank you for your phone call and interest in the 'Unlocking Victorian Tourism' draft report.
 
Please find the draft report and media release by the VCEC below. They are inviting public consultation on the report by 12 April.
http://www.vcec.vic.gov.au/domino/web_notes/vcec/vcecweb.nsf
http://www.vcec.vic.gov.au/CA256EAF001C7B21/WebObj/UnlockingVictorianTourismDraftReport/$File/Unlocking%20Victorian%20Tourism%20Draft%20Report.pdf
 
The Victorian National Park Association's position on this issue is outline in our media release below and we'll be adding more information to our website very soon and asking people to make submissions on the draft report.
http://vnpa.org.au/page/nature-conservation/media-releases/tourism-facilities-in-national-parks-could-kill-%27golden-goose%27
 
The Victorian National Parks Association is Victoria's leading bushwalking and nature conservation organisation. We are also running a campaign to stop cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park. See www.vnpa.org.au for more information.
 
If you would like to receive quarterly email newsletters from us to keep up to date with nature conservation issues such as the VCEC report please let me know.
 
Many thanks,
 
Emily
 
Emily Clough
Fundraising and Marketing Manager
Victorian National Parks Association
People Caring for Nature
Level 3, 60 Leicester St, Carlton Vic 3053
Tel 03 9341 6501
Fax 03 9347 5199
Email emilyc@vnpa.org.au
Web  www.vnpa.org.au

[Cloud Basher]

All this has got me thinking about what we can actually do and how to try and acter for a large number of outdoor interests.

What I came up with is we want unfettled access to these sorts of places, perhaps we have to start buying up some land and having it for us? Stick with me here.  There is any number of 4WDers out there.  So perhaps to form a company with 4WDers as share holders and other interested parties, mountain bike riders, shooters, dirt bike riders, fishermen etc and start buying up tracts of land.

We then charge a nominal fee and allow the use by share holders of the park.  Obviously this would need to be on a rather large scale and it has worked in some areas.  Obviously the company would be non-profit.

With so many poeple (shareholders) comes the ability to negotiate with other landowners for access to their land.  Obviously some commerical agreement would need to be entered into but the point here is, for a certain price we could have access to land all over the country in the fullness of time and could restrict access to those WE want to be there.  Additionally we would now have assets, numbers and such and perhaps be more influential with the politicians.  Many issues would need to be overcome and lots of detail, but it is just a thought.  Support from 4WD manufacturers could also be sought.  Lots of possibilities etc.  If you can't beat them lets join them and lock up this country for ourselves!

Cheers
CB

[time]

All this has got me thinking about what we can actually do and how to try and acter for a large number of outdoor interests.

What I came up with is we want unfettled access to these sorts of places, perhaps we have to start buying up some land and having it for us? Stick with me here.  There is any number of 4WDers out there.  So perhaps to form a company with 4WDers as share holders and other interested parties, mountain bike riders, shooters, dirt bike riders, fishermen etc and start buying up tracts of land.

We then charge a nominal fee and allow the use by share holders of the park.  Obviously this would need to be on a rather large scale and it has worked in some areas.  Obviously the company would be non-profit.

With so many poeple (shareholders) comes the ability to negotiate with other landowners for access to their land.  Obviously some commerical agreement would need to be entered into but the point here is, for a certain price we could have access to land all over the country in the fullness of time and could restrict access to those WE want to be there.  Additionally we would now have assets, numbers and such and perhaps be more influential with the politicians.  Many issues would need to be overcome and lots of detail, but it is just a thought.  Support from 4WD manufacturers could also be sought.  Lots of possibilities etc.  If you can't beat them lets join them and lock up this country for ourselves!

Cheers
CB

We already have this.  It is called Crown Land.

It is funded from our taxes.  It is managed by Government run agencies.

We elect the Government, if they don't do what we want we vote them out.

Effective lobby groups are what is needed to ensure sensible management and access to public land.

In a democracy we all have the right to an opinion, it is getting that opinion heard and acted on that is the issue I think.  Minority groups that scream and shout until they get their way are the models that should be followed, being apathetic and whinging about things instead of getting out there and doing something about it seems to me to be another problem.

..anyway I'm too old and tired to give a shyte