What's making News, 2025

[Fizzie]

NSW national parks

says "it would reinvest revenue from campsite charges back into national parks"

Yeah, trust us! 

[Bird]

More stupid....

A single mum who says she spent her life savings reinvigorating an isolated caravan park and general store in Victoria's high country has been ordered to pack up and move out.

A misunderstanding of the fine print in a lease agreement has left Leanne O'Donnelly with an unexpected end of lease at the Licola General Store.

Licola, 254 kilometres east of Melbourne, is unique in that most of the town is owned and managed by the Lions Clubs of Victoria and New South Wales.

While it is only home to a handful of residents, Licola's mountainous and bush surrounds are a popular drawcard for hikers, four-wheel drivers and motorcyclists keen on outdoor adventures.

The Licola Wilderness Village board says the town's caravan park and store will stay under new management.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-17/licola-general-store-lease-ends-victorian-high-country/105276132

[OldPaj]

Now that it has been raised to a profitable and going concern, what is the bet that new management will be a local lions club member/s or related families!
Then when it all goes to custard again because of inadequate/poor management it will shut and shut permanently as "not being profitable".

[Hairs]

Cheers star George Wendt dead at 76
The actor who played Norm on Cheers, one of the most beloved sitcom characters of all time, has died at the age of 76.

https://youtu.be/Z1Ar0mR3F8s?si=5dNDlbEHO9izQWm7

You don't use magic to disappear, ya use a 4x4 & Swag.

[Bird]

NSW national parks proposal to standardise camping fees amid rise in 'ghost camping'

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-14/campers-say-national-parks-camping-fees-are-excessive/105287008

That was NSW...

Now Victoria

In short:
The Victorian government will end free camping at government-run sites after it was found to hurt regional tourism.

Nationals member for eastern Victoria Melina Bath says the idea was a "disaster" that led to ghost bookings.
What's next?

Free camping will end from July 1, with the government to introduce staggered half-price campsite bookings instead.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/no-free-camping-in-victoria-due-to-ghost-bookings-rubbish/105319202

[xcvator]

That was NSW...

Now Victoria

In short:
The Victorian government will end free camping at government-run sites after it was found to hurt regional tourism.

Nationals member for eastern Victoria Melina Bath says the idea was a "disaster" that led to ghost bookings.
What's next?

Free camping will end from July 1, with the government to introduce staggered half-price campsite bookings instead.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/no-free-camping-in-victoria-due-to-ghost-bookings-rubbish/105319202

Funny that all the discussion against was very vague, not 1 single town or business was named,Not even areas actually named, and yet nearly every town that has become "rv"friendly with free camps, dump points and caravan/camper trailer parking have reported increased sales and income from travelers in their towns.

And that's all over Australia, not just in Victoria.

[Champin]

Victoria is broke. Jacinta Allen is trying to grab money wherever she can. Look at the  land tax issue whats causing the CFA members to throw in the towel. She seems more interested in creating multi billion dollar projects with her name on it.

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[Champin]

Victoria is broke. Jacinta Allen is trying to grab money wherever she can. Look at the  land tax issue whats causing the CFA members to throw in the towel. She seems more interested in creating multi billion dollar projects with her name on it.

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[Brij]

Funny that all the discussion against was very vague, not 1 single town or business was named,Not even areas actually named, and yet nearly every town that has become "rv"friendly with free camps, dump points and caravan/camper trailer parking have reported increased sales and income from travelers in their towns.

And that's all over Australia, not just in Victoria.

Was only ever advertised as "free" from Oct 2024 to June 2025, so I expect most people would expect it to not last.
And is only for National Parks that have always had booking system and fees involved.
Doesn't relate to non-National Park camp sites, or even NP sites that didn't have fees or booking system before (ie Alpine National Park).

[Brij]

Victoria is broke. Jacinta Allen is trying to grab money wherever she can. Look at the  land tax issue whats causing the CFA members to throw in the towel. She seems more interested in creating multi billion dollar projects with her name on it.

Sent from my SM-X200 using Tapatalk

Aren't you listening to all the government speils correctly?
The new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund isn't a new "tax"!
Is just a bit of an adjustment to the existy "levy", and just increased by a "small" amount!!!
Like a small 189% for farmers.

[Champin]

Aren't you listening to all the government speils correctly?
The new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund isn't a new "tax"!
Is just a bit of an adjustment to the existy "levy", and just increased by a "small" amount!!!
Like a small 189% for farmers.

Yeah, it's not like they can't afford it. The rich buggers are driving around in near new 1996 hilux Ute's.

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[Bird]

Having a machete got mentioned t'other day, but

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-14/machete-knife-crime-victoria-explainer/105049700

"Machetes are already "controlled weapons", which mean they cannot be possessed or carried without a lawful excuse, but under Premier Jacinta Allan's new proposal, they will be banned.

The government describes machetes as "long, cutting edged" knives "with a blade of more than 20 centimetres".

Under the new laws, Victorians who legitimately require them such as farmers or hunters will be required to apply for exemptions."

No mention of campers though?

From what I read and understand…
No fully automatic machetes. Bolt action only.
Maximum sheath capacity of 5 machetes.
You will need to be a member of a machete sporting club or a primary producer.
There will be a 2 day course on machete safety, a psychological exam and intensive background check for licensing requirements.
You will not be able to own a machete for 12 months.
After 12 months you will be able to purchase a machete from a registered machete dealer and it will be stored at the machete club for a period of another 12 months.
You will need to attend at least 6 gazetted machete competitions a year if you fall under a “sporting macheter” license.
When transporting a machete, the blade and the handle must be transported separately. The blade must be transported in a lockable case and in a locked, secure part of the vehicle. The handle cannot be kept in the same compartment.
Home storage must seperate the blade and the handle into to seperate lockable boxes. The lock box for the handles may be stored within the locked blade storage area providing it is locked separately from the main locked area.
All machetes will come with a serial number and will only be allowed to be bought and sold via authorised machete dealers.
ANY modification to the machete, for example, docking the handle, shortening the blade or adding flutes to make it quieter, are all forbidden.
Repairs may only be carried out by a licensed machetesmith.
Sawn-off machetes are still allowed as long as they're under 20cm.
 

[Oldengines]

Nice 

[Fizzie]

Beautifully done, Birdie, but you were a bit optimistic!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-28/victoria-machete-sale-ban-crime/105341512

So I hope all of you Vicwegians have surrendered these evil, dangerous, weapons!

(Except of course, for the certain small groups of lowlifes who are causing all the issues! )

[xcvator]

C'mon Fizzie, evil lowlifes in Victoria, think you could ease up a bit, lowlifes OR evil, but not both.

[Hairs]

Vic may have banned the sale of them.
It doesn't take much to make one, or buy one on eBay.
Hmm,


You don't use magic to disappear, ya use a 4x4 & Swag.

[Rowlie]

Vic may have banned the sale of them.
It doesn't take much to make one, or buy one on eBay.
Hmm,


You don't use magic to disappear, ya use a 4x4 & Swag.

Cmon Hairs. The people who are using machetes cant make a decision let alone a machete.

 The online retailers have to meet the same legal requirements as the shops. Xi Jinping I understand is wagging his finger at suppliers from his domain so I am sure the naughty boys won't be able to get one from China. Anyway Melbourne is only a couple of hours from the NSW border where they are still available so that would be the easiest legal way to get one. 

[Hairs]

Cmon Hairs. The people who are using machetes cant make a decision let alone a machete.

True, but they can afford the latest IPhone,  Hmm.

We have tobacconist's selling branded cigarettes at a 1/4 of the retail price, there is always a work
around.




You don't use magic to disappear, ya use a 4x4 & Swag.

[Bird]

But... its the footcha....

Australia’s first commercial wind farm is set to be decommissioned, as the company who owns it reveals it is no longer “financially viable”.
Renewable energy company Pacific Blue announced the Codrington wind farm, located near Port Fairy in southwest Victoria, is set to be decommissioned, as it is “approaching the end of its technical life”.


Last year, Queensland MP Mick de Brenni was spotted wearing sneakers made from recycled wind turbine blades LOL!

https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/sustainability/not-financially-viable-australias-first-commercial-wind-farm-set-to-be-decommissioned/news-story/744890ae13917de8e69bb7e4056092d6

[Bird]

RIP Hotlips - thank for the laughs



https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/emmy-awardwinning-mash-star-loretta-swit-dead-at-87/news-story/29eda79bfdda3846bcd397668fe8fb07

[Hairs]

Saw that this morning.


You don't use magic to disappear, ya use a 4x4 & Swag.

[Fizzie]