By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
GEELONG region campers have been saved $30,000 after State Government reversed a coalition decision to impose new fees.
Environment Minister and Bellarine MP Lisa Neville scrapped the “unfair” basic camping fees before Easter.
“The fees imposed…made camping expensive for families, affected school camps and buried Parks Victoria in red tape,” she said.
“From now on over 500 basic camping sites over 70 camping grounds in 19 parks throughout regional Victoria will have no fees.”
The Independent reported last year that local campers faced a $30,000 fee hike from the new charges in national parks.
Australian Campers Association and Victorian Outdoor Providers Network called the fees a rushed, ill-conceived cash-grab.
Ms Neville said existing bookings would be honoured and fees automatically refunded.
Shadow environment minister Brad Battin said the reversal was “breathtaking hypocrisy” because a Labor-commissioned report recommended the camping fees in the first place.
“Daniel Andrews must commit to properly funding Parks Victoria and ensuring the best camping facilities for families,” Mr Battin said.
“We’re not going to be lectured by Daniel Andrews about camping fees when we were fixing the mess left by his government in 2010.“
